Unilateral idiopathic sensory trigeminal nerve paralysis in a dog

Background: A spayed-female mixed breed dog was presented due to 2 years reduced visual acuity in the left eye. The investigation revealed corneal melanosis, keratoconjunctivis sicca and loss of facial sensation in the same side. The aim of this report is to describe an unilateral idiopathic sensory trigeminal nerve paralysis and keratitis as consequence of corneal innervation loss was established. Unilateral sensory trigeminal nerve paralysis is a very rare lesion in dogs and causes are unclear. Case: A 5-year-old spayed-female mixed breed dog was presented with a history of two years reduced visual acuity in the left eye. The Schirmer tear test values (without use of topical anesthetic) were 11 and 17 mm/min in the left and right eye respectively. Fluorescein tests were negative for both eyes. All postural reactions and spinal reflexes were normal. Cranial nerve evaluation identified symmetrical facial muscles (temporalis, masseter), indicating no muscle atrophy and normal motor nucleus of the fifth nerve. Absent sensation at the upper and lower lips margins, cornea, eyelids (medial and lateral canthi) and sensation in left nasal side were noted. No palpebral reflex was noticed, but there was spontaneous blinking of eyelids, which indicated normal facial nerve function. All other cranial nerve reflexes including menace response, oculocephalic, and gag reflexes were normal. The owner declined further workup, including cerebrospinal fluid analysis and images studies. According to the clinical presentation and neurological findings, presumptive diagnosis of unilateral idiopathic sensory trigeminal nerve paralysis was established. The dog was observed over 18 months without any clinical improvement. The Schirmer tear test showed same values (12 mm/min) and the melanosis remained unchanged.Discussion: Lesions that affected trigeminal nerve, trigeminal ganglion, or trigeminal tract in the pons and medulla caused facial hypoalgesia or analgesia...(AU)

Unilateral idiopathic sensory trigeminal nerve paralysis in a dog

Background: A spayed-female mixed breed dog was presented due to 2 years reduced visual acuity in the left eye. The investigation revealed corneal melanosis, keratoconjunctivis sicca and loss of facial sensation in the same side. The aim of this report is to describe an unilateral idiopathic sensory trigeminal nerve paralysis and keratitis as consequence of corneal innervation loss was established. Unilateral sensory trigeminal nerve paralysis is a very rare lesion in dogs and causes are unclear. Case: A 5-year-old spayed-female mixed breed dog was presented with a history of two years reduced visual acuity in the left eye. The Schirmer tear test values (without use of topical anesthetic) were 11 and 17 mm/min in the left and right eye respectively. Fluorescein tests were negative for both eyes. All postural reactions and spinal reflexes were normal. Cranial nerve evaluation identified symmetrical facial muscles (temporalis, masseter), indicating no muscle atrophy and normal motor nucleus of the fifth nerve. Absent sensation at the upper and lower lips margins, cornea, eyelids (medial and lateral canthi) and sensation in left nasal side were noted. No palpebral reflex was noticed, but there was spontaneous blinking of eyelids, which indicated normal facial nerve function. All other cranial nerve reflexes including menace response, oculocephalic, and gag reflexes were normal. The owner declined further workup, including cerebrospinal fluid analysis and images studies. According to the clinical presentation and neurological findings, presumptive diagnosis of unilateral idiopathic sensory trigeminal nerve paralysis was established. The dog was observed over 18 months without any clinical improvement. The Schirmer tear test showed same values (12 mm/min) and the melanosis remained unchanged.Discussion: Lesions that affected trigeminal nerve, trigeminal ganglion, or trigeminal tract in the pons and medulla caused facial hypoalgesia or analgesia...

Anatomical, cardiovascular, and blood gas parameters in dogs with brachycephalic syndrome

Background: Brachycephalic syndrome is characterized by increased airflow resistance in upper airways due to the combinations of anatomical deformities such as stenotic nares, elongated soft palate, everted laryngeal saccules, and tracheal hypoplasia. There is little information in recent literature about assessment of anatomical, cardiovascular, and blood gases parameters of these animals at early stages of the syndrome. The purpose of this study was to characterize and to compare anatomical, cardiovascular, and blood gases parameters in young brachycephalic or dolichocephalic and mesocephalic dogs. Materials, Methods & Results: Twenty brachycephalic dogs (BG) and 20 dolichocephalic and mesocephalic dogs (CG), aged up to 5 years, were included in the study. Anatomical abnormalities, systolic (SAP), mean (MAP), and diastolic (DAP) arterial blood pressure were recorded. Blood gas analysis and complete blood counts (CBC) were analyzed. Doppler echocardiography, electrocardiography, ambulatory electrocardiography, and thoracic and cervical radiographs were evaluated. The diameter of the nares in BG was lower when compared to CG (0.23 ± 0.08 versus 0.56 ± 0.05 cm, P 0.001). The Sa O2 was lower (P 0.001) and MAP was higher in BG (P = 0.05). All brachycephalic dogs had sinus arrhythmia (SA), and 15 (75 %) of these showed SA higher than 20% variation between adjacent [...](AU)

Anatomical, cardiovascular, and blood gas parameters in dogs with brachycephalic syndrome

Background: Brachycephalic syndrome is characterized by increased airflow resistance in upper airways due to the combinations of anatomical deformities such as stenotic nares, elongated soft palate, everted laryngeal saccules, and tracheal hypoplasia. There is little information in recent literature about assessment of anatomical, cardiovascular, and blood gases parameters of these animals at early stages of the syndrome. The purpose of this study was to characterize and to compare anatomical, cardiovascular, and blood gases parameters in young brachycephalic or dolichocephalic and mesocephalic dogs. Materials, Methods & Results: Twenty brachycephalic dogs (BG) and 20 dolichocephalic and mesocephalic dogs (CG), aged up to 5 years, were included in the study. Anatomical abnormalities, systolic (SAP), mean (MAP), and diastolic (DAP) arterial blood pressure were recorded. Blood gas analysis and complete blood counts (CBC) were analyzed. Doppler echocardiography, electrocardiography, ambulatory electrocardiography, and thoracic and cervical radiographs were evaluated. The diameter of the nares in BG was lower when compared to CG (0.23 ± 0.08 versus 0.56 ± 0.05 cm, P 0.001). The Sa O2 was lower (P 0.001) and MAP was higher in BG (P = 0.05). All brachycephalic dogs had sinus arrhythmia (SA), and 15 (75 %) of these showed SA higher than 20% variation between adjacent [...]