Neuroaxonal dystrophy of Rottweiler dogs

J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1984 Feb 15;184(4):464-7.

Abstract

Five Rottweiler dogs were examined because of progressive ataxia of thoracic and pelvic limbs of several months' to 4 years' duration. Hypermetria, especially of the thoracic limbs, and head incoordination and tremors were obvious features in the 3 older dogs. None of the dogs had evidence of weakness or loss of conscious proprioception. An electroencephalogram in 1 severely affected dog was normal. Electromyograms in 2 severely affected dogs were normal except for some positive sharp waves and fibrillation potentials in the interosseus muscles of all 4 feet. Cerebrospinal fluid evaluations of 2 severely affected dogs were normal. A reduced number of sensory nerve endings, compared with age-matched controls, was seen on histologic examination of a conjunctival biopsy specimen in 1 severely affected dog. An antemortem diagnosis of neuroaxonal dystrophy was suspected from the signalment, history, and neurologic examination findings. The diagnosis was confirmed on the basis of microscopic findings in 3 dogs necropsied.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ataxia / etiology
  • Ataxia / veterinary
  • Axons / pathology*
  • Brain / pathology
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / pathology
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / veterinary*
  • Dog Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Dog Diseases / pathology
  • Dogs
  • Electrocardiography / veterinary
  • Female
  • Gait
  • Male
  • Neurologic Examination / veterinary
  • Prognosis