Chronic traumatic brain injury in a dog

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Neurology
• Neurobiology
• Animal Pathology

Background:

• Chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI) is uncommon in humans and undocumented in canines.
• Repeated head trauma can lead to long-term neurological deficits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the clinical, diagnostic, and pathological findings of a canine case suspected of chronic TBI.
• To compare the neuropathological features with those reported in human chronic TBI.

Main Methods:

• Clinical examination and neurological assessment.
• Cerebrospinal fluid analysis and computed tomography (CT).
• Post-mortem necropsy and histopathological examination of brain tissue.

Main Results:

• The dog presented with ataxia, decreased vigilance, and disorientation following owner-reported abuse.
• Cerebrospinal fluid showed neutrophilic pleocytosis; CT revealed cerebral sulcal widening and ventriculomegaly.
• Necropsy confirmed diffuse cortical atrophy with laminar neuronal necrosis, chronic subarachnoid hemorrhages, spongiosis, and gliosis.

Conclusions:

• The described case represents the first documented instance of chronic TBI in a dog.
• The canine neuropathological findings, while sharing some features, differ from the pattern seen in human chronic TBI.
• This case highlights the potential for severe, long-term neurological damage from repeated head trauma in dogs.