Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Progressive brain disease causing gait problems in Chihuahua puppies
By Degl'Innocenti, Sara et al.·Published in Veterinary pathology·2017·1 Department of Veterinary Science, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Neuroaxonal Dystrophy and Cavitating Leukoencephalopathy of Chihuahua Dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Three Chihuahua puppies were found to have a new type of neuroaxonal dystrophy, which caused serious brain issues. The pups showed signs of neurological problems, like trouble walking and poor balance. Imaging tests revealed significant brain damage, including enlarged ventricles and loss of brain tissue. Unfortunately, the condition led to severe degeneration of nerve fibers in the brain. Sadly, the puppies did not recover, highlighting the seriousness of this neurological disorder in Chihuahuas.
People also search for: Chihuahua puppy neurological problems · dog gait abnormalities · neuroaxonal dystrophy in dogs
Abstract
A novel form of neuroaxonal dystrophy is described in 3 Chihuahua pups, 2 of which were from the same litter. It was characterized not only by accumulation of numerous and widely distributed axonal swellings (spheroids) but also by a severe cavitating leukoencephalopathy. The dogs presented with progressive neurological signs, including gait abnormalities and postural reaction deficits. Magnetic resonance images and gross examination at necropsy revealed dilation of lateral ventricles and cerebral atrophy, accompanied by cavitation of the subcortical white matter. Histopathologically, severe axonal degeneration with formation of large spheroids was found in the cerebral and cerebellar white matter, thalamus, and brainstem nuclei. Small-caliber spheroids were observed in the cerebral and cerebellar gray matter. The telencephalic white matter had severe myelin loss and cavitation with relative sparing of the U-fibers. Different from previously reported cases of canine neuroaxonal dystrophy, in these Chihuahuas the spheroid distribution predominantly involved the white matter with secondary severe leukoencephalopathy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28578630/