Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Behavior changes and seizures in a Swiss shepherd dog with brain
By Dario Candini et al.·Published in Veterinary Sciences·2017·Veterinary practitioner, 10144 Turin, Italy, CH·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: How Behavioral Changes Can Indicate Serious Cerebral Pathology: A Case Report of Concomitant Olfactory Neuroblastoma and Distemper Virus Encephalitis in a Swiss Shepherd Dog
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old Swiss Shepherd was brought in for behavioral changes, seizures, nosebleeds, and difficulty walking. The vet suspected a Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) infection and started treatment with Ω-interferon, but unfortunately, the dog's condition continued to worsen despite supportive care. Sadly, the dog was euthanized, and a post-mortem examination revealed a tumor in the brain along with signs of CDV-related encephalitis. This case highlights the serious complications that can arise from both CDV and brain tumors in dogs.
People also search for: dog seizures and nosebleeds · Swiss Shepherd behavioral changes · Canine Distemper Virus treatment · dog brain tumor symptoms · euthanasia decision for dogs
Abstract
Behavioral alterations in dogs are not easy to understand and cure. The situation is more difficult when an encephalitis due to Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) and a concomitant olfactory neuroblastoma are present. This case report deals with the story of a 5-year-old Swiss shepherd dog with behavioral changes, seizures, epistaxis and ataxia. Following clinical and laboratory exams, a suspected diagnosis of CDV infection was hypothesized, and a therapy based on Ω-interferon was administered. Every supporting therapy failed and the worsening of the clinical conditions led to the euthanasia of the patient. A neoformation in the right frontal lobe was found post mortem. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry investigation showed a non-suppurative demyelinating encephalitis, suggestive of CDV infection, and a desmoplastic epithelioid olfactory neuroblastoma. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first clinical pathological report of a non-suppurative encephalitis due to CDV infection and olfactory neuroblastoma in a dog.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci4030042