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Progressive neuronopathy in two Cairn terrier litter mates
M D Zaal1, T S van den Ingh, S A Goedegebuure
1Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
The Veterinary Quarterly
|March 1, 1997
Summary
Two Cairn terriers developed progressive neuronopathy, a suspected inherited neurological disease. Clinical signs included hind limb weakness and ataxia that worsened with exercise, progressing to tetraparesis.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Neurology
- Canine Genetics
- Neurobiology
Background:
- Progressive neuronopathy is a debilitating neurological disorder affecting Cairn terriers.
- Understanding its genetic basis and clinical presentation is crucial for diagnosis and management.
Observation:
- Two litter mate Cairn terriers, male (18 months) and female (11 months), presented with hind limb weakness and ataxia.
- Clinical signs exacerbated with exercise, progressing to tetraparesis over several months.
Findings:
- Histopathological examination revealed extensive chromatolytic degeneration of neurons.
- Moderate secondary Wallerian-type degeneration was observed in the spinal cord and brain stem.
- Progressive neuronopathy in Cairn terriers can be distinguished from globoid cell leukodystrophy by exercise-induced sign deterioration.
Implications:
- The similar age of onset and occurrence within a single litter suggest an inherited etiology for progressive neuronopathy in Cairn terriers.
- This research aids in differentiating progressive neuronopathy from other neurological disorders in the breed.
- Further investigation into the genetic underpinnings of this condition is warranted.