Paroxysm of Pruritus in Yorkie

Re: Paroxysm of Pruritus in Yorkie

mariette asselbergs — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:02:55 GMT

I saw a yorkshire terrier this week (for a booster) and it had one hindleg with all the hair chewed off. Owner said they got it from the breeder with this leg stepped on by a horse and therefore abnormal. The leg is now fine, no lameness, but the dog is always chewing the hair off it. No skin lesions. I thought there might be some neural damage causing "pins and needles" making the dog go for it. Just speculation though and the owner was not much bothered about it.

Mariette

Re: Paroxysm of Pruritus in Yorkie

Luciano Nebiante PGCertSAS — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 22:13:32 GMT

Interesting neurology website. Thanks Bob

Re: Paroxysm of Pruritus in Yorkie

bob lehner — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 09:26:56 GMT

[quote user="Luciano Nebiante"]

Hence we are more thinking neurological. As Bob said. I have also experience of CKCS affected by syringomelia and presenting sort of similar signs. So I was wondering if there is something like that described in Yorkshire Terrier.

[/quote]

From Clare Rusbridge - neurolgy website:

What breeds are affected with CM/SM?
The Cavalier is overwhelmingly overrepresented for cases of CM/SM. There is no colour or sex predisposition. As shortened skull is a risk factor, any breed with a degree of brachycephalism and/or miniaturization could potentially be predisposed to CM/SM. To date the condition has been also reported in King Charles spaniels, Griffon Bruxellois, Chihuahuas, Yorkshire terriers, Maltese terriers, Miniature dachshunds, Miniature/toy poodles, Bichon Frisé, Pugs, Shih Tzus, Pomeranians, Staffordshire bull terriers, Boston terriers, French bulldogs a Pekingese, a miniature Pinscher and a couple of cats.

Re: Paroxysm of Pruritus in Yorkie

Luciano Nebiante PGCertSAS — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 21:55:56 GMT

[quote user="Julian Earl"]

Not convinced at all about a neurologiclal aetiology. Pruritus is often paroxysmal depending on the cause. Have you cheecked for cheyletiella? What about other pets? Lesions i the owners? Rven fleas? - any precautionary environmental control? Anal sacculitis can easily cause apparent paroxysmal bouts of pain. Neck ain can cause paroxysmal pain without doubt but not pruritus.

[/quote]

Hi Julian all previous skin work up has been unremarkable as you can read in the clinical history already described. He is currently on Advocate. There are no other pets in the house, he is mainly an indoor dog. Owners are not presenting any signs. Skin is now healthy as I said, and anal sacs are regularly checked and they present a normal content.

Re: Paroxysm of Pruritus in Yorkie

bob lehner — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 19:09:57 GMT

[quote user="Julian Earl"]

Neck ain can cause paroxysmal pain without doubt but not pruritus.

[/quote]

The KCS with syringomelia can look v much like a severe pruritus of the neck/shoulder region.

I saw one once that had been round various practices with the owner repeatedly being told this was a flea/allergy problem. The thing went demented scratching its neck on my consulting table - a text book case.

Re: Paroxysm of Pruritus in Yorkie

Julian Earl — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 18:32:13 GMT

hth. My 2p would be to focus on causes of pruritus.

Re: Paroxysm of Pruritus in Yorkie

David Mills — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:18:41 GMT

No worries, let us know how you get on. Good luck

Re: Paroxysm of Pruritus in Yorkie

Luciano Nebiante PGCertSAS — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 23:32:14 GMT

[quote user="David Mills"]

Course of phenobarb for 4 weeks and observe behaviour. Ususally will see response in 3-4 weeks. Even better, keppra will have an effect within 24-48h if you wanted instant answers, but is expensive (though a 7d course for a Yorkie won't be any more than a blood test, say, and can buy in singles from t'internet)

[/quote]

Oh thanks David. Definetely worth to try, if the owner still does not want to invest some money.

Eventually I can see some light from the dark tunnel of this case, thanks to the member of this forum!

Re: Paroxysm of Pruritus in Yorkie

Luciano Nebiante PGCertSAS — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 23:28:47 GMT

[quote user="Busybee"]

Mainly just bumping this so the experts can reply!

[/quote]

Many thanks for this

We think the paroxysms were there from the beginning but the owner was paying more attention to the skin, which it seemed the initial cause. But then with skin completely back to normal it was clear that there were something else going on.

A complete neurological exam was normal, no signs of neck pain, abnormal gait, all cranial nerves and limbs reflexes were normal.

Epilepsy could be a new idea, I didn't think about it. My differentials were so far: Forebrain disease, Dementia (a bit too young still?), Paraneoplastic syndrome.

Michael, I don't remember now the dose of prednisolone he was on. Probably wasn't high enough to address neurological signs, but he was for a good period of time, and there was absolutely no difference.

The owner was already thinking of pts, but we managed to delay this, because the dog is stable, the skin is now healthy. This issue seems to be affecting more the owner rather than the dog at the moment. The owner gets stressed seeing the dog having this sort of attack of pruritus

Re: Paroxysm of Pruritus in Yorkie

David Mills — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 23:21:29 GMT

Yes, I've seen similar in some small-ish breeds. Consider limbic epilepsy in these cases. They can present very oddly - tail chasing intermittently, excessive salivation, stereotypic behaviours. Sounds like the skin irritation is secondary.

Re: Paroxysm of Pruritus in Yorkie

Michael Woodhouse — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 22:28:25 GMT

What sort of steroid dose was the dog on?

Realistically if there is no money then the steroid will fix either the neuro problem or the skin or it will continue to deteriorate and the dog will have to be put to sleep.

Shunts can cause head pressing. Bit old to present.

Re: Paroxysm of Pruritus in Yorkie

Busybee — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:29:12 GMT

Mainly just bumping this so the experts can reply!

But my thoughts - is this dermatological or neurological?

Were these 'paroxysms' happening from the start or just after the dog had been to the other practice?

If there is true head-pressing, that to me says look for forebrain disease, in which case, could the paroxysms by a form of epilepsy?

Any bloods done? Other signs of meningitis-type disease (thinking small, potentially neurological, dog)?