Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Jack Russell Terrier puppy with brain mineral deposits and movement
By Gruber, A D et al.·Published in Veterinary pathology·2002·Department of Pathology, Germany·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Mitochondriopathy with regional encephalic mineralization in a Jack Russell Terrier.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 10-month-old female Parson Jack Russell Terrier was euthanized due to severe balance issues (ataxia), difficulty walking (hypermetria), and deafness that started when she was just 10 weeks old. A veterinary examination revealed significant brain damage, including mineral deposits in areas responsible for hearing and coordination. These findings indicated a serious condition related to mitochondrial dysfunction, which affects energy production in cells. Unfortunately, despite veterinary care, the dog's symptoms did not improve, leading to the difficult decision of euthanasia.
People also search for: Jack Russell Terrier deafness treatment · puppy ataxia causes · mitochondrial disease in dogs
Abstract
A 10-month-old female Parson Jack Russell Terrier was euthanatized because of therapy-resistant ataxia, hypermetria, and deafness that had first been observed at 10 weeks of age. Severe, bilateral, symmetrical neuronal degeneration and mineralization of the brain were found in the cochlear and cerebellar nuclei, dorsal areas of the medulla oblongata, the vestibulocochlear nerve, plexus choroideus, and within the granule cell layer of the ventral cerebellar hemispheres. The mineralized deposits were located free in the parenchyma, around intact or degenerate neurons, in myocytes of small- and medium-sized arteries, and around capillaries. Hepatocytes and cardiac myocytes showed oncocytotic change with increased numbers of enlarged or misshapen mitochondria filled with densely packed cristae and electron-dense inclusions. Skeletal myocytes had only minor increases in the number of mitochondria. The microscopic and ultrastructural lesions were consistent with mitochondrial encephalopathy with similarities to mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and strokelike episodes in humans.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12450205/