Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Doberman puppies born with balance problems from inner ear
By Forbes, S & Cook, J R·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1991·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences·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 We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above.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: Congenital peripheral vestibular disease attributed to lymphocytic labyrinthitis in two related litters of Doberman pinscher pups.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of Doberman Pinscher puppies showed signs of balance problems, which is known as peripheral vestibular disease. These issues were seen in two litters from the same mother, but tests for infections and other health problems came back normal. Unfortunately, the most severely affected puppies were euthanized, and a closer examination revealed inflammation in their inner ear, likely due to a viral infection. Interestingly, one of the less affected puppies seemed to recover or adapt to its balance issues.
People also search for: Doberman puppy balance problems · vestibular disease in dogs · puppy ear infection treatment
Abstract
Five Doberman Pinscher pups from a litter of 10 (litter A) and 3 of 9 pups from a subsequent mating of the same bitch (litter B) had clinical signs consistent with unilateral or bilateral peripheral vestibular disease. Results of CBC, serum biochemical analysis, urinalysis, ophthalmologic examination, deep otoscopic examination, and CSF analysis were normal in all affected pups. Bacteriologic culture results from CSF were negative and affected pups did not have canine distemper antibody titers in CSF. The most severely affected littermates were euthanatized and necropsied at the owner's request. Gross lesions were not found at necropsy, but marked lymphocytic labyrinthitis was discovered microscopically in decalcified sections of the labyrinthine system. The case history and histologic findings were suggestive of an infectious, most likely viral, cause, but organisms were not isolated from specimens of CNS tissue. The involvement of the same bitch in the 2 litters suggests heritable factors. One mildly affected pup apparently recovered or compensated for its vestibular dysfunction.
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/2010340/