Clinical and neurological characteristics of aortic thromboembolism in dogs

Goncalves, R., Penderis, J., Chang, Y.P., Zoia, A., Mosley, J. and Anderson, T.J. (2008) Clinical and neurological characteristics of aortic thromboembolism in dogs. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 49(4), pp. 178-184. (doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2007.00530.x)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To characterise the clinical presentation and neurological abnormalities in dogs affected by aortic thromboembolism. METHODS: The medical records of 13 dogs diagnosed with aortic thromboembolism as the cause of the clinical signs, and where a complete neurological examination was performed, were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The onset was acute in only four dogs, chronic in five dogs (with all of these presenting as exercise intolerance) or chronic with acute deterioration in four dogs. Dogs with an acute onset of clinical signs were more severely affected exhibiting neurological deficits, while dogs with a chronic onset of disease predominantly presented with the exercise intolerance and minimal deficits. The locomotor deficits included exercise intolerance with pelvic limb weakness (five of 13), pelvic limb ataxia (one of 13), monoparesis (two of 13), paraparesis (two of 13), non-ambulatory paraparesis (two of 13) and paraplegia (one of 13). There was an apparent male predisposition and the cavalier King charles spaniel was overrepresented. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The rate of onset of clinical signs appears to segregate dogs affected by aortic thromboembolism into two groups, with different clinical characteristics and outcomes. Dogs with an acute onset of the clinical signs tend to be more severely affected, while dogs with a chronic onset predominantly present with exercise intolerance. It is therefore important to consider aortic thromboembolism as a differential diagnosis in dogs with an acute onset of pelvic limb neurological deficits and in dogs with longer standing exercise intolerance

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Penderis, Professor Jacques and Anderson, Professor Jim
Authors: Goncalves, R., Penderis, J., Chang, Y.P., Zoia, A., Mosley, J., and Anderson, T.J.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Journal of Small Animal Practice
Publisher:Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
ISSN:0022-4510
ISSN (Online):1748-5827

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record