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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Dog with Lafora disease having twitching attacks triggered by sight

By Webb, Aubrey A et al.·Published in The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne·2009·Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Canada·View original on PubMed

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Original publication title: Lafora disease as a cause of visually exacerbated myoclonic attacks in a dog.

Species:
dog

Plain-English summary

An 8-year-old miniature wire-haired dachshund was brought to the vet because he had been experiencing facial twitching for four months. Over the next 16 months, these twitching episodes became more frequent, although he had only occasional seizures. The vet found that the twitching was triggered by visual stimuli, and treatment with antiepileptic medications didn't provide clear improvement. Genetic testing revealed that the dog had Lafora disease, a rare genetic condition that affects the brain.

People also search for: dog facial twitching · dachshund myoclonic seizures · Lafora disease in dogs · dog twitching treatment

Abstract

An 8-year-old, castrated male, miniature wire-haired dachshund was presented with a 4-month history of intermittent facial twitching (myoclonus). The myoclonic episodes progressed over a 16-month period. Generalized seizure activity was infrequent. Clinical examination revealed visually stimulated myoclonus. Response to therapy with antiepileptic drugs was equivocal. Genetic testing identified the dog as being affected by Lafora disease.

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Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19949558/