Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hypomyelination causing neurological signs in three Weimaraner dogs
By Millán, Y et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2010·Department of Comparative Pathology, Spain·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hypomyelination in three Weimaraner dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Three Weimaraner dogs were brought to the vet with neurological symptoms due to a condition called hypomyelination, which means their nerves were not properly insulated. Tests on their brain and spinal cord showed a lack of myelin, the protective covering around nerves, which is crucial for proper nerve function. The findings suggested that the dogs had fewer cells responsible for producing myelin, leading to their symptoms. Unfortunately, the exact cause of this condition remains unclear, but it may involve genetic mutations. Treatment options would likely focus on managing symptoms, but specific therapies for this condition are not well established.
People also search for: Weimaraner neurological symptoms · dog myelin deficiency treatment · hypomyelination in dogs
Abstract
Hypomyelination syndrome of the Weimaraner dog is a disease characterised by a reduction or absence of myelin in the axons of the central nervous system (CNS) exclusively. The objective of this study was to analyse the cause of this deficiency of myelin. Tissue samples of the CNS of three Weimaraner dogs with neurological signs were fixed in 10% formalin and embedded in paraffin wax, and histochemical, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies were performed. Histochemical staining with haematoxylin and eosin and Kluver-Barrera techniques showed generalised pallor in the peripheral areas of the ventral and lateral funiculi of the spinal cord. Immunohistochemical analysis showed a weak expression of both proteolipid protein (PLP) and myelin basic protein (MBP) and a marked decrease of Olig2(+) cells in the demyelinated areas. The immunohistochemical findings suggested a myelination or remyelination failure because of the smaller population of oligodendrocytes. However, PLP gene mutations may also be the cause of the decrease of PLP expression as described in other species.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20973788/