Clinical characterization of a familial degenerative myelopathy in Pembroke Welsh Corgi dogs.
BACKGROUND
Adult dogs with degenerative myelopathy (DM) have progressive ataxia and paresis of the pelvic limbs, leading to paraplegia and euthanasia. Although most commonly reported in German Shepherd dogs, high disease prevalence exists in other breeds.


OBJECTIVE
Our aim was the clinical and histopathologic characterization of familial degenerative myelopathy (FDM) in Pembroke Welsh Corgi (PWC) dogs.


METHODS
Twenty-one PWCs were prospectively studied from initial diagnosis until euthanasia.


METHODS
Neurologic examination, blood tests, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, electrodiagnostic testing, and spinal imaging were performed. Concentrations of 8-iso-prostaglandin F2alpha (8-isoprostane) were measured in CSF. Routine histochemistry was used for neuropathology. Deoxyribonucleic acid and pedigrees were collected from 110 dogs.


RESULTS
Median duration of clinical signs before euthanasia was 19 months. Median age at euthanasia was 13 years. All dogs were nonambulatory paraparetic or paraplegic, and 15 dogs had thoracic limb weakness at euthanasia. Electrodiagnostic testing and spinal imaging were consistent with noncompressive myelopathy. No significant difference was detected in 8-isoprostane concentrations between normal and FDM-affected dogs. Axonal and myelin degeneration of the spinal cord was most severe in the dorsal portion of the lateral funiculus. Pedigree analysis suggested a familial disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical progression of FDM in PWC dogs was similar to that observed in other breeds but characterized by a longer duration. Spinal cord pathology predominates as noninflammatory axonal degeneration. Oxidative stress injury associated with 8-isoprostane production is not involved in the pathogenesis of FDM-affected PWC dogs. A familial disease is suspected.
Coates
Joan R
JR
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, 379 E. Campus Drive, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. coatesj@missouri.edu
March
Philip A
PA
Oglesbee
Michael
M
Ruaux
Craig G
CG
Olby
Natasha J
NJ
Berghaus
Roy D
RD
O'Brien
Dennis P
DP
Keating
John H
JH
Johnson
Gary S
GS
Williams
David A
DA
D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000235:genetics*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D008297:Male; D010375:Pedigree; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000662:veterinary*
D004247:DNA