Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Medial eye turning at rest linked to thalamic stroke in 2 dogs
By Liatis, Theofanis et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2024·Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Medial strabismus (esotropia) at rest associated with contralateral paramedian thalamic ischemic infarction in 2 dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old male neutered Border Collie and a 12-year-old female neutered cross-breed dog were brought to the vet because they were having trouble walking and had unusual eye positioning, with one eye turning inward (esotropia). Both dogs showed signs of vestibular ataxia, which affects balance, and their neurological exams revealed a specific brain injury called a thalamic ischemic infarct. MRI scans confirmed the diagnosis. While the dogs had significant neurological symptoms, the treatment details were not specified, but identifying the cause helped guide their care.
People also search for: dog eye problems esotropia · dog balance issues · Border Collie neurological symptoms · dog brain injury treatment
Abstract
Pseudoabducens paralysis resulting in resting medial strabismus (esotropia) is a rare consequence of a contralateral paramedian thalamic ischemic infarction in people. To date, esotropia has been reported in dogs in association with ipsilateral abducens neuropathy or extraocular myopathy, but not secondary to thalamic lesions. A 7-year-old male neutered Border Collie and a 12-year-old female neutered cross-breed dog were presented with peracute nonprogressive vestibular ataxia. Neurological examination identified right esotropia, nonambulatory tetraparesis, right head tilt, vestibular ataxia and nystagmus. Lesions in both dogs were localized to the vestibular system with thalamic involvement. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain identified a left paramedian thalamic lacunar ischemic infarct in both dogs. Interruption of descending inhibitory pathways that decussate in the subthalamic region and innervate the contralateral motor nucleus of the oculomotor nerve leads to hypertonicity of the medial rectus. These cases indicate that esotropia is a rare but highly localizing sign in dogs with contralateral thalamic infarcts.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38205674/