sarcocystosis

A rare clinical disease, but a common infection, in all food animal species caused by the intermediate stage of the protozoan parasite Sarcocystis spp. The terminal stages are passed in the dog or cat or other species. Clinically the disease is manifested by emaciation, lameness, hypersalivation, loss of tail switch, anemia and abortion. The subclinical infection with the intermediate stage of cysts in muscles is very common in all species. The common sites are the esophageal, cardiac and lingual muscles. Abnormally there are localizations in brain, uterus and lungs. Called also rat-tail syndrome, Dalmeny disease. See also sarcosporidiosis.