Neuro episodes in 9.5yo dog plus videos

Re: Neuro episodes in 9.5yo dog plus videos

Yantha Smyth — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 14:46:56 GMT

Hi, an update: lab results showed mild mature neutrophilia and monocytosis, mild incr in ALP and chol- all consistent with the low dose prednisolne she is on. All electrolytes WNL, Na/K ratio 30.7; post prandial bile acids 2.1.

Unfortunately neuro referral not an option, with Animal Friends.....

Other than the true fasting glucose which is yet to be done, I am not sure what else can be done in terms of 'symptomatic treatment', as the cost of the blood test was a struggle.

I can see movement disorders are often treated with various meds, often specific to the disorder, but suspect that AEDs are not going to be effective.

Yantha

Re: Neuro episodes in 9.5yo dog plus videos

Yantha Smyth — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 19:49:16 GMT

There should be the two extra videos in the galleries now, this time with a Vimeo link. Fingers crossed others can see them!

Re: Neuro episodes in 9.5yo dog plus videos

Yantha Smyth — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 17:44:20 GMT

Thanks for your input Mark. I have tried again to get the other videos to upload, after videoing the video on my iPhone !! And then attempting to upload into gallery but it just doesn't ever get there. Shame, as there is one with her doing similar thing in a bush as in the bedroom, but another with her more active- with very unusual gait. Whilst in the clinic today she also repeated an episode that the owner had described where she became sternally recumbent and looked like a floundering turtle, all four legs propelling her along the floor. Around the same time or just before she did pass urine and faeces. Not seen blood results yet, but we will get a truly fasted BG tomorrow AM. Dependent on what the bloods show my colleague and I would like to send her for neuro referral, but unfortunately I suspect her insurance will not cover her- they may link this to her seizures two years ago, which they have now excluded along with her addisons. Thanks again, and it will have another go with the videos, or perhaps glean some tech support from those more able than I Yantha

Re: Neuro episodes in 9.5yo dog plus videos

Mark Lowrie — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 14:53:46 GMT

Hi Yantha,

Thanks for posting the videos. It seems like the dog is showing episodic reduced voluntary movement (though I can’t see evidence of vestibular signs, head tremors or lifting of the legs – I appreciate these were on other videos). Therefore a paroxysmal movement disorder is a consideration and these can manifest as hyperkinetic and hypokinetic. This video shows reduced movement making a hypokinetic movement disorder a consideration. Having said that, hypokinetic movement disorders are rare (and so far I have not heard of one reported in dogs) as opposed to the hyperkinetic ones that are comparatively very common. Therefore other causes should be considered and my plan of action would be similar to what you suggest:

· Rule out metabolic disease (very important to do fasted glucose alongside renal, hepatic and electrolyte parameters).

· Following this I would rule-out intra-cranial disease – i.e. consider MRI. However, some questions may help this, e.g. has this dog lost its toilet training – i.e. toileting in the house, does it pace/circle in between these episodes, is its behaviour normal in general between the episodes. If the owner answers yes to one or more of these questions then forebrain disease is certainly a consideration and this increases suspicion of intra-cranial disease in the presence of normal blood work.

Mark