Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
6-month-old dog with distemper causing spinal cord paralysis
By Schoning, P & Layton, C E·Published in Zentralblatt fur Veterinarmedizin. Reihe B. Journal of veterinary medicine. Series B·1992·Department of Pathology·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Canine distemper with spinal cord lesions.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 6-month-old dog was brought in with weakness in all four legs, which initially seemed like it could be due to an injury. However, tests showed signs of a viral infection, specifically canine distemper, which can cause serious neurological issues. The dog's condition was confirmed through a detailed examination of the brain and spinal cord, revealing inflammation and viral inclusions. Unfortunately, distemper can be severe, and treatment options are limited, so it's crucial for pet owners to ensure their dogs are vaccinated against this disease.
People also search for: puppy weakness in legs · canine distemper symptoms · dog vaccination importance
Abstract
A case of distemper in a 6-month-old dog is described. The dog was presented with a history of tetraparesis suggestive of trauma. Neurological examination and clinical pathology findings of lymphopenia and pleocytosis suggested a viral cause. Microscopic findings of a nonsuppurative meningoencephalomyelitis with numerous intranuclear inclusions in the cerebellum, brain stem, and all parts of the spinal cord suggested a diagnosis of distemper.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1462722/