Neurological Disorders in Dogs: A Retrospective Analysis of Prevalence, Aetiology, Lesion Locations, and Regional...

Neurological disorders in dogs are a significant concern in veterinary medicine and affect various breeds and ages. Previous studies have reported differing prevalence rates and aetiologies across regions, highlighting the need for a comprehensive epidemiological understanding to enhance diagnostic and treatment strategies.

This retrospective study aimed to investigate the prevalence and frequency of neurological disorders in dogs referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

This study analyzed records from 13,430 patients referred to the hospital. Among these, 9131 cases involved dogs. Of these, 422 dogs had neurological disorders, and their records were analyzed for the study.

The prosencephalon was the most commonly affected location (81 cases, 19.6%), followed by multifocal involvement (62 cases, 15%) and the T3-L3 spinal cord (56 cases, 13.5%). Infectious diseases, especially canine distemper diseases, were the most common cause, accounting for 136 cases (33.2%). Unknown causes ranked second (66 cases, 15.9%), with trauma third (56 cases, 13.3%). Other neurological disorders included intervertebral disc displacement, polyradiculoneuritis, vestibular injury, and poisoning. Notably, although most affected dogs (81.3%) were under 5 years of age, the relative prevalence of neurological disorders increased with advancing age.

Infectious diseases, especially canine distemper, trauma, and unknown causes, are the primary contributors to neurological disorders in this region. The observed high prevalence of these conditions contrasts with the findings from other regions, emphasizing the need for improved prevention and treatment strategies. Furthermore, many neurological disorders affecting the prosencephalon can be effectively diagnosed and managed through basic neurological examinations without necessitating advanced imaging techniques.