Idiopathic Polyneuropathy in Alaskan Malamutes |
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| Authors: | Kyle G. Braund y Shores Chuck T. Lowrie H. Steven Steinberg Michael P. Moore Rod S. Bagley Janet E. Steiss |
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| Affiliation: | Spontaneous Neuromuscular Disease Program, Scott-Ritchey Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL;Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI;Veterinary Referral Associates, Gaithers-burg, MD;Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA |
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| Abstract: | Clinical and morphologic features of a progressive polyneuropathy in young mature Alaskan Malamutes are described. Clinical signs included progressive paraparesis, synchronous pelvic limb gait, exercise intolerance, hyperesthesia, hypore-flexia, muscle atrophy, and tetraplegia. Electromyographic testing revealed diffuse fibrillation potentials and positive sharp waves in limb muscles, especially in muscles below the elbow and stifle. Pathologic findings in skeletal muscles and peripheral nerves included neurogenic muscle atrophy, focal or diffuse loss of myelinated nerve fibers, myelinoaxonal necrosis, and variable demyelination or remyelination.
Ultrastructural changes included axonal degeneration, presence of numerous Büngner bands, and denervated Schwann cell subunits. The nature and distribution of abnormal electrophysiologic and pathologic findings were suggestive of a distal sensorimotor polyneuropathy, which we have termed idiopathic polyneuropathy of Alaskan Malamutes to distinguish this condition from hereditary polyneuropathy of Norwegian Alaskan Malamutes, last described in 1982. |
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