Shaking Chihuahua pups -5 wks old

Re: Shaking Chihuahua pups -5 wks old

mariette asselbergs — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 00:06:14 GMT

Thanks for that Philippa!

Mariette

Re: Shaking Chihuahua pups -5 wks old

Pippa de Chassart — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 04:09:46 GMT

Hi Mariette

I was a locum at the clinic, so tehnically, no. However I do believe that both pups were put to sleep eventually.

The owner seemed to feel that they did improve on steroids,although I think this was unlikely.

As we could not do a PM, we don't have a definitive diagnosis.

Suspect cerebellar hypoplasia.

Re: Shaking Chihuahua pups -5 wks old

mariette asselbergs — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 18:35:32 GMT

Philippa, have you seen these pups again?

Mariette

Re: Shaking Chihuahua pups -5 wks old

Pippa de Chassart — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 08:20:22 GMT

Thank you for the prompt input. According to the owners ( I have not seen them in again) the pups do stop shaking when they are on their backs. I am not sure if the owner is being positive / optimistic. We will see when they come in for the next visit. However they are eating , drinking, barking and otherwise fine. I think their quality of life is good at the moment.

Re: Shaking Chihuahua pups -5 wks old

Mark Lowrie — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 08:43:39 GMT

There are so many causes for this that an answer seems unlikely without post-mortem. Are the pups feeding normally? Do the tremors disappear when the dogs are lifted off the ground and turned on their backs?

The reason for asking this is it may be a disorder of CNS myelination (i.e. hypomyelination). If this is the case then dogs can do very well if given time. Not all dogs will recover but some can go on and live a normal, or nearly normal life. However, if the disease progresses then consideration should be given to storage diseases or cerebellar hypoplasia. These have a poorer prognosis and no treatment. Whatever the cause I think the best option is to give them time (provided they are feeding well) and see what happens. I would be surprised if any medication would help with this problem.

Syringomyelia can be ruled-out at this stage. It would not occur so early on and does not cause focal cerebellar signs.

Re: Shaking Chihuahua pups -5 wks old

Pippa de Chassart — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 21:24:38 GMT

Its a consistent condition,with ataxia and possibly intention tremor ( difficult to assess in such a small pup).Definitely neuro and the pups are strong , with good appetite.

Re: Shaking Chihuahua pups -5 wks old

Utlendigur — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 20:53:27 GMT

Hydrocephalus? Hypoglycaemia? Inflammatory/infectious CNS problem? Syringomyelia usually presents as pain especially on handling round the head/neck, scratching at the air next to the ear, ataxia - plus they sound too young. When you say shaking, do you mean constant shaking, weakness or an intention tremor? Sorry not much help but neurology and handbag dogs in the same case - yuk!