Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Neurological signs in 97 dogs with pituitary tumors
By Menchetti, Marika et al.·Published in The veterinary quarterly·2019·a Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Neurological abnormalities in 97 dogs with detectable pituitary masses.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 97 dogs with pituitary tumors (a type of brain tumor) showed various neurological problems, including changes in behavior, difficulty walking, and issues with their senses. Many of these dogs also had signs of brain compression, which can worsen their symptoms. The study found that dogs with larger tumors and more severe brain compression were more likely to have significant mental status changes. Treatment options for these dogs often focus on managing symptoms and improving quality of life, but the specific outcomes weren't detailed in the study.
People also search for: dog pituitary tumor symptoms · dog behavior changes · dog walking problems · dog brain compression treatment
Abstract
Pituitary tumours are common neoplasms of the sellar region in small animals. However, detailed information regarding the spectrum and severity of possible neurological signs are lacking.To retrospectively describe the neurological abnormalities in a population of dogs with a detectable pituitary mass (DPM) and relate them with the size of the mass and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signs of brain compression (BC). Client-owned dogs were included in the study if they had MRI showing a DPM and a detailed neurological examination. The neurological signs were evaluated in relation to the pituitary height/brain ratio (P:B ratio) and the presence/absence of brain compression.Ninety-seven dogs were enrolled. Besides abnormal mentation and behaviour (77%), gait (61%) and cranial nerve abnormalities (44%), other unreported neurological signs observed included postural abnormalities (21%), pain and/or hyperesthesia (25%) and abnormal postural and proprioceptive reactions (49%). The majority of dogs with DPM had signs of BC. The presence of a high pituitary height/brain area and BC represented a risk factor for developing mental status abnormalities.Neurological signs recorded in DPM-affected dogs include not only the typical forebrain signs but also gait disturbances and hyperesthesia. Neurological signs are positively associated with increased P:B ratio and MRI signs of brain compression.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31112462/