Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Progressive weakness and larynx paralysis in young Rottweiler dog
By Eger, C E et al.·Published in Australian veterinary journal·1998·Murdoch University, Australia·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Progressive tetraparesis and laryngeal paralysis in a young rottweiler with neuronal vacuolation and axonal degeneration: an Australian case.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-month-old female Rottweiler was brought to the vet with worsening coordination problems, weakness in all four legs, and noisy breathing. After various tests, including imaging and muscle activity assessments, the vet found that the dog had a serious neurodegenerative disease affecting her nervous system. Unfortunately, the condition led to significant muscle atrophy and other severe changes in the nervous system. This case highlights a new disease affecting Rottweilers that has been seen in other parts of the world but is concerning for pet owners in Australia.
People also search for: Rottweiler weakness and coordination problems · dog noisy breathing causes · neurodegenerative disease in dogs
Abstract
A 5-month-old female Rottweiler dog was diagnosed to have a neurodegenerative disease that has been recently reported in Rottweilers from North America and Europe. The dog was presented with progressive signs of ataxia, tetraparesis and inspiratory stridor. The clinical investigation included analysis of CSF, radiography, myelography and electrophysiological testing. No evidence of vertebral malformation or inflammatory CNS disease was identified. Bilateral laryngeal paralysis was identified in the lightly anaesthetised dog. Electromyography showed abnormal spontaneous activity from the intrinsic musculature of the larynx. At necropsy there were no gross abnormalities of the nervous system but there was atrophy of the dorsal cricoarytenoid muscles of the larynx. There were widespread histological abnormalities throughout the nervous system including neuronal vacuolation, spongiform changes in the neuropil and axonal degeneration which was most prominent in the spinal cord. These clinical and pathological findings are consistent with the diagnosis of a new neurodegenerative disease reported from North America and Europe. This diagnosis is of particular significance in Australia where transmissible spongiform encephalopathies have not been identified.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9862062/