Amoebiasis is a parasitic infection caused by amoeba. It is found most often in tropical areas and can be seen in North America
There are two types of parasitic ameba that infect dogs: Entamoeba histolytica and Acanthamoeba.
Infection by Entamoeba histolytica is usually asymptomatic; however severe infections can cause colitis, resulting in bloody diarrhea. If it spreads through the body via the blood stream it can cause damage to and failure of major organ systems. Symptoms are dependent on the organ system involved and it could be fatal.
Acanthamoeba causes granulamatous amoebic meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain) resulting in lack of appetite, fever, lethargy, discharges from the eyes and nose, difficulty breathing and neurological signs (incoordination, seizures, etc.)
