3-4 month old GSD with cerebellar signs

January 27, 2012

Hi! I was wondering if I could get some input on a case I saw earlier this week.

The dogs is a young German Shepard that the O found on Jan 10. The dog

initially presented to a colleague of mine. She was quiet but alert &

responsive. Borderline dehydrated, bilaterally (+) PLRs, no menace, good ROM

all joints with no palpable fractures/effusion/crepitus but had a very abnormal

gait. She was ataxic with a plantigrade stance, can stand but clearly preferred

to be laying down. Mild generalized tremoring & hypermetria. Her exam was

otherwise unremarkable. An in house panel was performed with CBC being

unremarkable and chem 15 also unremarkable except for mildly decreased

globulins. O elected to take her home and monitor and declined further work up

or referral.

The O is the brother of one of our receptionists who told him that I was doing

rehab stuff. O brought the kiddo back in on 1/25 for me to evaluate him to see

if I could help with her gait. On exam she was BAR and very active. She had

tarsal hyperextension & mild carpal hyperextension but was not in full

plantigrade stance. She is definitely ataxic, hypermetric and occasionally

falls over. She is much more stable when sitting or lying down. When standing

she cannot lift her head up but has no issues looking upward when she is sitting

or lying down. Her neuro exam is as follows: (+) palpebral, facial and gag, NO

menace, (+) CPs all 4 limbs, (+) patellar & gastroc bilaterally, (+) biceps

bilaterally, (+) triceps on right side, unable to elicit on left. (+) Withdrawal

all 4 limbs. She looks to me like a dog with a cerebellar issue. O has

declined further referral to neurologist. I discussed with him at length

cerebellar disease. Discussed congenital, infectious, toxic causes. Since her

gait is a little improved (per O) since she was first found and her plantigrade

stance has improved he is interested in supportive care and anything we can

suggest to help with the ataxia.

So, I was wondering if anyone has worked with cerebellar kids and what their

luck has been? Are you doing mainly proprioceptive exercises? Any strength

building exercise to help increase stability? Also, if any neurologists out

there want to throw in their two cents on the case that would be awesome &

greatly appreciated! I should be able to get a video of the kid next week if

that will help with suggestions.

Thanks!

Jen Remensperger, DVM, CCRT - candidate

Canine Rehabilitation And Fitness Therapy (CRAFT)

Woodland Veterinary Hospital

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