Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Chihuahua with vision loss diagnosed with brain storage disease
By Kuwamura, M et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2003·Osaka Prefecture University, Japan·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis and hydrocephalus in a chihuahua.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 2-year-old female Chihuahua was brought in because she had been having vision problems for six months. After tests, the vet found that her brain's ventricles were enlarged, suggesting hydrocephalus (an accumulation of fluid in the brain). Unfortunately, the dog's condition did not improve, and she was euthanized at her owner's request. A postmortem examination revealed swollen brain cells with unusual yellowish pigments, indicating a rare condition called ceroid-lipofuscinosis, which was linked to her hydrocephalus.
People also search for: Chihuahua vision problems · hydrocephalus in dogs · ceroid-lipofuscinosis treatment
Abstract
A two-year-old, female chihuahua presented with a six-month history of visual dysfunction. Computed tomography revealed dilation of the lateral ventricles in the central nervous system (CNS). The dog was tentatively diagnosed as having hydrocephalus and a month later was euthanased at the owner's request. The skull was expanded and dome-like in shape and an open fontanelle was observed on postmortem examination. Histologically, swollen neurons possessing yellowish pigment granules in the cytoplasm were observed throughout the CNS. These storage materials stained positively with periodic acid Schiff, Schmorl method for lipofuscin and oil red O for lipid, and showed autofluorescence under fluorescence microscopy. Ultrastructurally, the storage materials consisted of dense lamellar structures. This case was unique in having ceroid-lipofuscinosis in association with hydrocephalus.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12779175/