Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Saccadic oscillations in 4 dogs and 1 cat.
- Journal:
- Journal of veterinary internal medicine
- Year:
- 2018
- Authors:
- Ives, Edward J et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery · United Kingdom
Plain-English summary
In this study, four dogs and one cat were found to have unusual eye movements that they couldn't control, which are similar to conditions seen in humans. The pets showed signs of problems with their cerebellum, the part of the brain that helps control movement and coordination. The final diagnoses for these animals included idiopathic generalized tremor syndrome, which causes shaking, and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), a genetic disorder that affects the nervous system. The findings suggest that these involuntary eye movements could indicate underlying brain issues, which are not commonly recognized in veterinary medicine. Overall, the study highlights the need for more awareness of these eye movement disorders in pets.
Abstract
Disorders affecting the control of saccadic eye movements result in involuntary saccadic oscillations and are widely reported in human medicine. Information regarding the occurrence and potential importance of saccadic oscillations in veterinary medicine is currently limited. The clinical histories of three dogs and one cat displaying involuntary eye movements consistent with opsoclonus are presented, with final diagnoses including idiopathic generalized tremor syndrome and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL). A dog with eye movements closely resembling macrosaccadic oscillations is also presented, for which a final diagnosis of NCL was made. All animals had clinical signs of cerebellar disease. As in human medicine, recognition of these forms of involuntary eye movement might suggest a cerebellar neuroanatomic localization. Opsoclonus and macrosaccadic oscillations are forms of involuntary saccadic eye movement that are both unrecognized and under-reported in veterinary medicine.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29704274/