Por Redaccion 
The Ministry of Rural Affairs and Agricultural Policy has performed a compassionate euthanasia on a wolf cub suffering from an irreversible neurological disease. This is the first case detected in Asturias of Neospora caninum, a parasitic disease that affects the nervous system and, like leishmaniosis, already identified in the Asturian population of canids, poses a threat to the health of wolves and foxes, primarily.
The specimen was rescued in the Llosorio mountain of Mieres in September 2024, in critical condition, and transferred to the Wildlife Recovery Center of Sobrescobio, where it received veterinary care.
According to Rural Affairs, upon arrival, the animal exhibited extreme cachexia, severe dehydration, generalized myiasis, and neuromuscular weakness, indicating a serious underlying condition. Given its overall state, a minimally invasive clinical approach was chosen to not diminish its chances of reintroduction into the wild.
During the initial weeks, the cub showed slow improvement and responded well to supportive treatments. However, by late November 2024, it began to display progressive neurological symptoms, such as lack of coordination, loss of balance, and abnormal behaviors. Diagnostic tests conducted in December confirmed the presence of Neospora caninum, an intracellular parasite that affects the nervous system and causes progressive and irreversible neuromuscular degeneration.
This diagnosis ruled out any possibility of release, as the disease is incurable and leads to a gradual loss of mobility. Additionally, it is transmitted to other canids and livestock through feces, significantly reducing the ability to survive in the wild.
With the reintroduction into the natural environment ruled out, the technical and legal team evaluated various options to ensure the well-being of the wolf cub. Ultimately, it was decided to transfer it to the Iberian Wolf Center in Castilla y León, Zamora, a facility specialized in species conservation, where it could receive specific care and be part of environmental education programs and scientific monitoring.
Last Monday, during the transfer to the center in Zamora, the cub experienced a severe episode of self-injury: it bit and partially amputated its right hind limb, resulting in significant blood loss. This behavior is consistent with the progression of Neospora caninum, which can cause extreme sensitivity, lack of coordination, and compulsive behaviors. Given the severity of the situation, the transfer was interrupted, and the specimen was returned to the Sobrescobio center for clinical evaluation.
A certified veterinary team, consisting of five professionals from the Sobrescobio center and the Wildlife Service, unanimously concluded that the only viable option was compassionate euthanasia.
Euthanasia was carried out through an intravenous injection of a lethal dose, following animal welfare protocols. The results of the necropsy will allow for further evaluation of aspects related to this case. Rural Affairs has consistently followed scientific and veterinary criteria in handling the wolf cub.
The detection of the first case of Neospora caninum in wolves reinforces the need to continue monitoring the health of wildlife to identify emerging diseases that can affect both biodiversity and livestock.