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Sensory neuropathy: Dachshund
Introduction
- Cause: believed to be inherited as an autosomal recessive trait seen in young long-haired Dachshunds 6-8 months of age.
- Signs: ataxia, conscious proprioception deficits, absent pain perception.
- Weakness and muscle atrophy not features.
- Urine dribbling and vomiting may be seen.
- Self-mutilation of penis.
- Diagnosis: age, breed, clinical signs, sensory nerve biopsy.
- Treatment: no treatment available, apart from use of a muzzle to prevent self-mutilation.
- Prognosis: favorable.
Presenting signs
- Ataxia.
- Absence of pain sensation over entire body.
- No evidence of weakness or muscle atrophy.
- Conscious proprioceptive deficits.
- Intermittent dribbling of urine and vomiting.
- Self-mutilation of penis.
Geographic incidence
- To date, this condition has been seen in the UK only.
Age predisposition
- 8-12 weeks of age.
Breed/Species predisposition
- Long-haired Dachshund Dachshund.
Cost considerations
- Moderate expenses incurred for diagnostic work-up.
Special risks
- Urine scald; self-trauma from lack of pain sensation/perception.
Pathogenesis
Predisposing factors
General- Presently unknown.
Specific
- Presently unknown.
Pathophysiology
- This condition is thought to be a distal axonopathy based on involvement of larger caliber myelinated fibers in distal parts of peripheral nerves and in distal parts of the long ascending sensory tracts in the fasciculus gracilis of the spinal cord.
- Undetermined.
Timecourse
- Subtle onset and progression of signs from 2-4 months followed by stabilization of signs.
Diagnosis
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Treatment
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Prevention
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Braund K G (1996) Degenerative causes of neuropathies in dogs and cats. Vet Med 91 (8), 722-739 VetMedResource.
- Duncan I D & Griffiths I R (1982) A sensory neuropathy in long-haired dachshund dogs. JSAP 23 (7), 381-90 VetMedResource.
- Duncan I D et al (1982) The pathology of a sensory neuropathy affecting long haired dachshund dogs. Acta Neuropathol 58 (2), 141-151 PubMed.
Other sources of information
- Duncan I D & Cudden P A (1989)Sensory neuropathy.In: Kirk R W (ed)Current Veterinary Therapy IX.W B Saunders, Philadelphia. pp 822-827.