Acute Polyradiculoneuritis (Coonhound Paralysis)
Polyradiculoneuritis is a disease of dogs similar to Guillain-Barré syndrome in human beings. A suspected antigen results in an immunologic-mediated reaction with inflammation directed primarily at the nerve root and proximal nerves of the limb. In essence, this is an autoimmune disease with self-destruction of peripheral nerve elements. Other antigens, such as bacterial and viral infections, may also initiate this disease, as raccoon exposure is not associated with the disease in all animals. Campylobacter infection may be a cause in humans and dogs. Hence, the more general term, polyradiculoneuritis is used to describe the disease when the inciting cause is not determined.
Age of Onset: Any age of animal can be affected
Sex Predisposition: Any sex of animal can be affected
Clinical Course:
Clinical signs onset is acute to subacute resulting in progressive paresis and paralysis often developing within hours to days. Clinical signs are often initially observed in the pelvic limbs and progress to involve the thoracic limbs within 24-48 hours.
Once the animal becomes paralyzed, clinical signs often persist for weeks.
Clinical signs onset is acute to subacute resulting in progressive paresis and paralysis often developing within hours to days. Clinical signs are often initially observed in the pelvic limbs and progress to involve the thoracic limbs within 24-48 hours.
Once the animal becomes paralyzed, clinical signs often persist for weeks.
Clinical Signs:
Movement
**Paresis to paralysis (progression from paraparesis/paralysis to tetraparesis/paralysis)
Initially, gait is stilted and short strided
Cranial Nerves
Decreased palpebral reflexes
Decreased gag reflex
Spinal Reflexes
Hyporeflexia/Areflexia
Special Functions (e.g. respiration; urination)
Respiratory paralysis (abdominal breathing)
Dysphonia (“whispering” sound during barking)
Painful Reactions
**Hyperesthesia
Muscle Atrophy
Generalized muscle atrophy
Other:
Pyrexia
Movement
**Paresis to paralysis (progression from paraparesis/paralysis to tetraparesis/paralysis)
Initially, gait is stilted and short strided
Cranial Nerves
Decreased palpebral reflexes
Decreased gag reflex
Spinal Reflexes
Hyporeflexia/Areflexia
Special Functions (e.g. respiration; urination)
Respiratory paralysis (abdominal breathing)
Dysphonia (“whispering” sound during barking)
Painful Reactions
**Hyperesthesia
Muscle Atrophy
Generalized muscle atrophy
Other:
Pyrexia
Diffuse lower motor neuron disease
Unknown
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