Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Electroencephalography of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder in a dog with generalized tetanus.
- Journal:
- Journal of veterinary internal medicine
- Year:
- 2023
- Authors:
- Knipe, Marguerite et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences · United States
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 3-month-old Airedale dog was diagnosed with generalized tetanus, a serious condition caused by a bacterial toxin. The dog showed unusual behaviors while sleeping, like excessive paddling and chewing movements. A special test called an electroencephalogram (EEG) showed that these movements happened during a specific sleep phase known as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, but not during other times. After receiving treatment for eight weeks, the dog's symptoms of tetanus improved, and the sleep-related movements stopped six weeks after the treatment began. Overall, the treatment was effective in resolving both the tetanus and the unusual sleep behaviors.
Abstract
CASE SUMMARY: A 3-month-old Airedale dog with clinically diagnosed generalized tetanus was investigated for the occurrence of excessive paddling and chewing movements when sleeping. Electroencephalogram (EEG) with time-locked video over 31 hours determined occurrence of the abnormal movements to be within 20 to 180 seconds of the onset of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, but not at any other stage of wakefulness or sleep. No epileptiform activity was noted. Clinical signs of generalized tetanus resolved over 8 weeks with antimicrobial and symptomatic treatment, and sleep-associated movements resolved 6 weeks after presentation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) has been suspected in dogs with generalized tetanus but not confirmed by correlation of repeated episodes of vocalization or motor behaviors or both with REM sleep defined by an EEG. The case further defines RBD in dogs with tetanus, and highlights the value of EEG to differentiate among different parasomnias and epileptiform activity.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36457276/