Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Leigh-like brain disease causing rapid neurological decline
By Collins, D et al.·Published in Journal of comparative pathology·2013·Animal Referral Hospital, Australia·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Severe subacute necrotizing encephalopathy (Leigh-like syndrome) in American Staffordshire bull terrier dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Seventeen American Staffordshire bull terrier puppies, aged 6-8 weeks, showed serious neurological symptoms like difficulty with balance and coordination. After ruling out other conditions, tests revealed high levels of lactate in their blood, indicating a severe brain disorder known as Leigh-like syndrome. This condition is hereditary and leads to rapid decline in health. Unfortunately, all affected puppies had significant brain damage, and the prognosis is poor.
People also search for: American Staffordshire bull terrier puppy neurological symptoms · Leigh-like syndrome in dogs · puppy balance problems treatment
Abstract
Seventeen American Staffordshire bull terrier puppies, 6-8 weeks of age, from seven closely related litters, presented with rapidly progressive central vestibular neurological signs. Previously reported hereditary ataxias in the breed, including l-2 hydroxyglutaric aciduria and cerebellar cortical degeneration, as well as thiamine deficiency, were excluded. Elevated lactate levels and lactate:pyruvate ratios gave supporting evidence of a defect of the respiratory chain or Leigh-like syndrome. Histopathology in all cases showed a bilaterally symmetrical necrotizing encephalopathy, with malacia of the neuropil centred on the vestibular and olivary nuclei of the brainstem. This is the first documentation of a heritable rapidly progressive lethal necrotizing encephalopathy consistent with Leigh-like syndrome, in American Staffordshire bull terrier dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23123128/