Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Clinical evaluation of rabies virus meningoencephalomyelitis in a dog.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association
- Year:
- 2003
- Authors:
- Barnes, Heidi L et al.
- Affiliation:
- College of Veterinary Medicine · United States
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 6-month-old female mixed-breed dog was brought in because she suddenly became very weak in her back legs and was overly sensitive in that area. Tests of her spinal fluid showed a high level of protein and an increase in certain white blood cells, indicating inflammation. Further tests showed nerve issues in her left back leg, and after waking up from anesthesia, she started having seizures and signs of confusion. Unfortunately, six days after her paralysis began, the dog was put to sleep because she had rabies affecting her brain and spinal cord. This case highlights how rabies can cause serious neurological problems in dogs.
Abstract
A 6-month-old, female, mixed-breed dog presented for acute, progressive, flaccid paraplegia and bilateral pelvic-limb hyperesthesia. A lymphocytic pleocytosis with 366 mg/dL protein was found on cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) evaluation. Electromyography (EMG) demonstrated positive sharp waves and fibrillations in the left pelvic limb; the M wave of the left sciatic nerve was not obtainable by nerve stimulation. Seizures and dementia began during recovery from anesthesia. Six days after onset of paralysis, the dog was euthanized. Direct fluorescent antibody testing of the brain was positive for raccoon rabies virus. This case demonstrates clinical evaluation, CSF analysis, and EMG in an animal with rabies meningoencephalomyelitis.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14736720/