Acute canine idiopathic polyneuropathy. A Guillain-Barré-like syndrome in dogs

We evaluated 14 previously healthy dogs with acute progressive flaccid quadriparesis and hyporeflexia. Electrophysiological and pathological features indicated varying degrees of motor-sensory polyneuropathy with some demyelination. Perivenular cellular infiltrations were present in roots of one autopsied case. Recovery was rapid and often complete in dogs that did not die from respiratory complications. Two dogs subsequently developed a chronic progressive course and two had a relapsing, corticosteroid-responsive course. Acute canine idiopathic polyneuropathy (ACIP) shares many features with the Guillain-Barré syndrome, and may be a naturally occurring model of the human disorder.