Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Young Rottweiler puppies with laryngeal paralysis and nerve weakness
By Mahony, O M et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·1998·Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Laryngeal paralysis-polyneuropathy complex in young Rottweilers.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Five Rottweiler puppies, aged 11 to 13 weeks, were brought to the vet because they were making a wheezing sound while breathing and had weakness in their legs. Upon examination, the vet found that all the puppies had laryngeal paralysis, which affects their ability to breathe properly, and four of them also had cataracts in their eyes. Tests showed nerve and muscle issues, indicating a condition called polyneuropathy, which is thought to be hereditary. Unfortunately, the prognosis for these puppies is poor, meaning they may not recover fully.
People also search for: Rottweiler puppy breathing problems · laryngeal paralysis in dogs · puppy weakness treatment
Abstract
Five Rottweiler puppies from 3 unrelated litters developed inspiratory stridor at 11-13 weeks of age. Physical examination disclosed tetraparesis in all dogs, and bilateral lenticular cataracts in 4 dogs. Laryngeal examination under light anesthesia showed laryngeal paralysis in all dogs. Electrodiagnostic testing revealed denervation potentials in the distal appendicular muscles of 4 dogs tested and in the intrinsic laryngeal muscles of 2 dogs tested. Motor nerve conduction velocity was slightly low in 1 dog. Neurogenic muscular atrophy was found in distal appendicular muscles (n = 3) and intrinsic laryngeal muscles (n = 2), and degenerative changes were found in peripheral nerves (n = 3) and recurrent laryngeal nerves (n = 2). No abnormalities were detected in the spinal cord, spinal nerve roots, or ganglia of 3 dogs autopsied. The clinical, electrophysiologic, and histopathologic findings support a diagnosis of polyneuropathy and resemble the finding reported in young Dalmatians. Young dogs with laryngeal paralysis should be evaluated neurologically to rule out a more generalized polyneuropathy. The condition is suspected to be hereditary in nature and the prognosis is poor.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9773408/