Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Electromyography helps diagnose focal tetanus in a dog with limb
By De Risio, L et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2006·Animal Health Department, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Focal canine tetanus: diagnostic value of electromyography.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 4-year-old male Italian hound was brought to the vet with severe stiffness in both front legs that got worse with touch. After thorough testing, including blood work and X-rays, everything appeared normal, but a special test called electromyography showed unusual muscle activity. This led to a diagnosis of focal tetanus, a rare condition caused by a toxin. The dog was treated with tetanus antitoxin and antibiotics, and after four months of care, he gradually improved and regained normal movement.
People also search for: dog leg stiffness treatment · focal tetanus in dogs · Italian hound muscle problems
Abstract
A four-year-old, male Italian hound was presented with severe spasticity of both thoracic limbs that worsened with external stimuli. The remainder of the neurological and general physical examination was normal. Complete blood cell count, chemistry profile, and serology for protozoal diseases were within normal limits. Survey radiography of the cervicothoracic spine and abdominal ultrasonography showed no abnormalities. Electromyography of the thoracic limbs demonstrated the presence of "doublets" and simultaneous activity in both agonist and antagonist muscles. These abnormalities may be explained by a defective glycinergic inhibition at the spinal cord level. Together with the history, progression of signs, and clinical findings, electromyography supported a presumptive diagnosis of focal tetanus. The dog received tetanus antitoxin and antibiotic treatment and gradually improved over four months.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16674723/