Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Rapid eye movement sleep disorder in young Nova Scotia Duck Tolling
By Barker, E N et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2016·School of Veterinary Sciences, United Kingdom·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 We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above.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: Degenerative Encephalopathy in Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Presenting with a Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder.
- Species:
- bird
Plain-English summary
A group of young adult Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers (NSDTRs) showed signs of neurological problems, including unusual movements during sleep, increased anxiety, and trouble walking. These symptoms started between 2 months and 5 years of age and got worse over time. Tests like MRI scans revealed brain damage, but other health screenings did not show any infections or metabolic issues. Unfortunately, this degenerative brain disease appears to be hereditary and does not respond well to treatment, leading to a guarded prognosis for affected dogs.
People also search for: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever neurological problems · dog sleep behavior disorder · hereditary brain disease in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Neurodegenerative diseases are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by loss of neurons and are commonly associated with a genetic mutation. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To characterize the clinical and histopathological features of a novel degenerative neurological disease affecting the brain of young adult Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers (NSDTRs). ANIMALS: Nine, young adult, related NSDTRs were evaluated for neurological dysfunction and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder. METHODS: Case series review. RESULTS: Clinical signs of neurological dysfunction began between 2 months and 5 years of age and were progressive in nature. They were characterized by episodes of marked movements during sleep, increased anxiety, noise phobia, and gait abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging documented symmetrical, progressively increasing, T2-weighted image intensity, predominantly within the caudate nuclei, consistent with necrosis secondary to gray matter degeneration. Abnormalities were not detected on clinicopathological analysis of blood and cerebrospinal fluid, infectious disease screening or urine metabolite screening in most cases. Postmortem examination of brain tissue identified symmetrical malacia of the caudate nuclei and axonal dystrophy within the brainstem and spinal cord. Genealogical analysis supports an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: A degenerative encephalopathy was identified in young adult NSDTRs consistent with a hereditary disease. The prognosis is guarded due to the progressive nature of the disease, which is minimally responsive to empirical treatment.
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/27717189/