Pathology of the Proximal Radius in Juvenile Pugs.

The aim of this study was to describe the physeal pathology of the proximal radius in four skeletally immature male Pugs. Physical examination, radiography, and computed tomography (CT) of the thoracic limbs were performed in all four dogs. Two Pugs were available for long-term follow-up and two Pugs were euthanatized after the diagnostic imaging results.

Assessment of glial fibrillary acidic protein and anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein autoantibody concentrations and necrotising meningoencephalitis risk genotype in dogs with pug dog myelopathy.

Background: Pugs commonly present with thoracolumbar myelopathy, also known as pug dog myelopathy (PDM), which is clinically characterised by progressive signs involving the pelvic limbs, no apparent signs of pain and, often, incontinence. In addition to meningeal fibrosis and focal spinal cord destruction, histopathology has confirmed lymphohistiocytic infiltrates in the central nervous system (CNS) in a considerable number of pugs with PDM. Lymphohistiocytic CNS inflammation also characterises necrotising meningoencephalitis (NME) in pugs.

Vertebral and spinal malformations in small brachycephalic dog breeds: Current knowledge and remaining questions.

Small brachycephalic dog breeds, such as the French bulldog, English bulldog and pug have become increasingly popular. These breeds are predisposed to a variety of vertebral and spinal malformations, including hemivertebra, caudal articular process dysplasia, transitional vertebra, cranial thoracic vertebral canal stenosis, spinal arachnoid diverticulum and meningeal fibrosis. Recent studies have provided new insights into the prevalence, anatomical characteristics, pathophysiology and treatment of these conditions.

Mutations in the CYP27B1 gene cause vitamin D dependent rickets in pugs.

Rickets is a disorder of bone development and can be the result of either dietary or genetic causes. Here, related pugs from 2 litters were included. Three pugs had clinical signs including, lameness, bone deformities, and dyspnea.

Multiple Genetic Loci Associated with Pug Dog Thoracolumbar Myelopathy.

Pug dogs with thoracolumbar myelopathy (PDM) present with a specific clinical phenotype that includes progressive pelvic limb ataxia and paresis, commonly accompanied by incontinence. Vertebral column malformations and lesions, excessive scar tissue of the meninges, and central nervous system inflammation have been described. PDM has a late onset and affects more male than female dogs.

Evaluation of antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid for the diagnosis of tick-borne encephalitis in dogs.

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is caused by the neurotropic tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). In dogs, this virus may affect the central nervous system (CNS), causing meningoencephalitis, meningomyelitis, radiculitis or any combination of these. Diagnosis of TBE relies on a combination of clinical signs of CNS disease and laboratory findings, including CSF pleocytosis and serum TBEV antibody titers.

Epilepsy in British Shorthair cats in Sweden.

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of epileptic seizures and of presumed idiopathic epilepsy (PIE, describing epilepsy of unknown origin) in a cohort of British Shorthair (BSH) cats in Sweden. The secondary objective was to describe epileptic seizure characteristics and outcome for cats with PIE.

Methods: Owners of BSH cats born between 2006 and 2016 and registered with SVERAK (the Swedish Cat Clubs' National Association) were invited to reply to a questionnaire about their cat's general health.

Impaired NDRG1 functions in Schwann cells cause demyelinating neuropathy in a dog model of Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 4D.

Mutations in the N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) cause degenerative polyneuropathy in ways that are poorly understood. We have investigated Alaskan Malamute dogs with neuropathy caused by a missense mutation in NDRG1. In affected animals, nerve levels of NDRG1 protein were reduced by more than 70% (p< 0.

Thoracolumbar meningeal fibrosis in pugs.

Background: Thoracolumbar myelopathies associated with spinal cord and vertebral column lesions, with a similar clinical phenotype, but different underlying etiologies, occur in pugs.

Objectives: To further characterize the clinical and neuropathological characteristics of pugs with longstanding thoracolumbar myelopathy.

Animals: Thirty client-owned pure-bred pugs with a history of more than a month of ataxia and paresis of the pelvic limbs, suggesting a myelopathy localized to the thoracolumbar spinal cord, were included in the study.

Comparison of signalment and computed tomography findings in French Bulldogs, Pugs, and English Bulldogs with and without clinical signs associated with thoracic hemivertebra.

Background: Although thoracic hemivertebra can cause neurological signs, they occur commonly in neurologically normal dogs.

Objectives: To evaluate whether computed tomography (CT) findings and factors associated with signalment can be used to differentiate between dogs with and without neurological signs associated with hemivertebra.

Animals: One hundred sixty dogs with ≥1 hemivertebrae were retrospectively studied.

High prevalence of gait abnormalities in pugs.

The objective of this prospective study was to determine the prevalence of gait abnormalities in a cohort of Swedish pugs by using an owner-based questionnaire targeting signs of gait abnormality and video footage showing the dog's gait. This study also evaluated associated conditions of abnormal gait, including other health disorders prevalent in the breed. Five hundred and fifty (550) pugs registered in the Swedish Kennel Club, of one, five and eight years of age, in 2015 and 2016, were included in the study.

Basal Autophagy Is Altered in Lagotto Romagnolo Dogs with an ATG4D Mutation.

A missense variant in the autophagy-related ATG4D-gene has been associated with a progressive degenerative neurological disease in Lagotto Romagnolo (LR) dogs. In addition to neural lesions, affected dogs show an extraneural histopathological phenotype characterized by severe cytoplasmic vacuolization, a finding not previously linked with disturbed autophagy in animals. Here we aimed at testing the hypothesis that autophagy is altered in the affected dogs, at reporting the histopathology of extraneural tissues and at excluding lysosomal storage diseases.

Re-emergence of hereditary polyneuropathy in Scandinavian Alaskan malamute dogs-old enemy or new entity? A case series.

A homozygous mutation has been identified in the N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) in recent cases of polyneuropathy in Alaskan malamute dogs from the Nordic countries and USA. The objective of the present study was to determine if cases diagnosed 30-40 years ago with polyneuropathy in the Alaskan malamute breed in Norway had the same hereditary disease as the recent cases. Fourteen historical cases and 12 recently diagnosed Alaskan malamute dogs with hereditary polyneuropathy, and their parents and littermates (n = 88) were included in this study (total n = 114).

TECPR2 Associated Neuroaxonal Dystrophy in Spanish Water Dogs.

Clinical, pathological and genetic examination revealed an as yet uncharacterized juvenile-onset neuroaxonal dystrophy (NAD) in Spanish water dogs. Affected dogs presented with various neurological deficits including gait abnormalities and behavioral deficits. Histopathology demonstrated spheroid formation accentuated in the grey matter of the cerebral hemispheres, the cerebellum, the brain stem and in the sensory pathways of the spinal cord.

A KCNJ10 mutation previously identified in the Russell group of terriers also occurs in Smooth-Haired Fox Terriers with hereditary ataxia and in related breeds.

Background: Hereditary ataxias with similar phenotypes were reported in the Smooth-Haired Fox Terrier, the Jack Russell Terrier and the Parson Russell Terrier. However, segregation analyses showed differing inheritance modes in these breeds. Recently, molecular genetic studies on the Russell group of terriers found independent mutations in KCNJ10 and CAPN1, each associated with a specific clinical subtype of inherited ataxia.

A missense change in the ATG4D gene links aberrant autophagy to a neurodegenerative vacuolar storage disease.

Inherited neurodegenerative disorders are debilitating diseases that occur across different species. We have performed clinical, pathological and genetic studies to characterize a novel canine neurodegenerative disease present in the Lagotto Romagnolo dog breed. Affected dogs suffer from progressive cerebellar ataxia, sometimes accompanied by episodic nystagmus and behavioral changes.

Prevalence of radiographic detectable intervertebral disc calcifications in Dachshunds surgically treated for disc extrusion.

Background: An association between the occurrence of calcified discs, visible on radiographic examination (CDVR), and disc extrusions has been suggested in published literature over the past 10-20 years, mainly from Nordic countries. It has also been postulated that dogs without CDVR would not develop disc extrusions. Furthermore, inheritance of CDVR has been calculated and it has been postulated that, by selecting dogs for breeding with few, or no CDVR, the prevalence of disc extrusions in the Dachshund population may be reduced.

Acquired motor neuron loss causing severe pelvic limb contractures in a young cat.

Presentation: This report describes a kitten with paraplegia and extensor rigidity of the pelvic limbs associated with motor neuron loss and chronic denervation of skeletal muscle. Persistent skeletal muscle atrophy and degeneration had resulted in immobile stifle and hock joints and severe pelvic limb rigidity consistent with a neurogenic form of arthrogryposis. Both pelvic limbs were equally affected and the kitten showed no signs of pain.