Suspected bilateral pontine abscessation in a dog: Presentation, diagnostic findings, treatment and outcome

Abstract A 12‐year‐old, female, entire Pomeranian was presented with chronic and progressive right‐sided vestibular ataxia. The neurological examination indicated a lesion affecting the pons and rostral medulla oblongata. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed bilateral intra‐axial cavitary lesions at the level of the pons, consistent with abscessation. Treatment with a 12‐week course of clindamycin and tapering doses of prednisolone resulted in a marked improvement of the clinical signs. Eight weeks after the cessation of treatment, magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated complete resolution of the brain lesions. The patient was also affected by severe periodontal disease, which may have served as a potential source of infection. However, other possible sources were not investigated. This report highlights the importance of considering brain abscessation in dogs presenting with chronic, progressive neurological signs. Additionally, it also emphasises the value of prolonged antibiotic courses and the utility of follow‐up magnetic resonance imaging in monitoring brain lesions.