Afghan Hound Myelopathy (Afghan Hound Myelinolysis/Necrotic Myelopathy)
Afghan hound myelopathy is an inherited disorder of primary myelination that causes selective necrosis and degeneration of myelin.
Age of Onset: 3-13 months of age
Sex Predisposition: Any sex of animal can be affected
Clinical Course:
Demyelination begins at the level of the mid-thoracic spinal cord and progresses in a cranial and caudal direction over the course of 2-6 weeks.
Demyelination begins at the level of the mid-thoracic spinal cord and progresses in a cranial and caudal direction over the course of 2-6 weeks.
Clinical Signs:
Posture and Appearance
Recumbency
Movement
Spastic paresis (progressing from pelvic limbs to thoracic limbs) to paralysis
Ataxia
Loss of control of truncal muscles
Bunny hopping gait
Proprioception
Reduced postural reactions in the pelvic and thoracic limbs
Spinal Reflexes
Hypertonicity
Increased patellar reflexes
Special Functions (e.g. respiration; urination)
Urinary incontinence
Respiratory paralysis
Pain Sensation
Analgesia of the mid-thoracic region
Posture and Appearance
Recumbency
Movement
Spastic paresis (progressing from pelvic limbs to thoracic limbs) to paralysis
Ataxia
Loss of control of truncal muscles
Bunny hopping gait
Proprioception
Reduced postural reactions in the pelvic and thoracic limbs
Spinal Reflexes
Hypertonicity
Increased patellar reflexes
Special Functions (e.g. respiration; urination)
Urinary incontinence
Respiratory paralysis
Pain Sensation
Analgesia of the mid-thoracic region
Spinal- diffuse
Autosomal recessive inheritance
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