Peripheral neuropathy is disease of the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord: the nerve roots, the spinal and cranial nerves and their motor, sensory and autonomic fibres. In dogs it shows up as lower motor neuron (LMN) weakness, and the causes range from an immune attack after a raccoon bite to hypothyroidism, ticks and breed-specific genetic disease. Some of these resolve fully with the right step (removing a tick, starting thyroid hormone), so finding the cause matters more than the label.
Key facts
Peripheral neuropathy at a glance- Species: Dog (cats get some of the same diseases)
- System: Nervous; lower motor neuron and neuromuscular
- Main acquired causes: acute polyradiculoneuritis (coonhound paralysis), hypothyroid neuropathy, tick paralysis, drug or toxin exposure; diabetic neuropathy is rare in dogs
- Inherited causes: breed-specific polyneuropathies such as those of the Alaskan Malamute and Leonberger, and sensory neuropathy of sporting breeds
- Classic presentation: flaccid paresis with low muscle tone, weak or absent spinal reflexes and rapid muscle atrophy
- Key test: electrodiagnostics (EMG, nerve conduction), plus thyroid testing, CSF and nerve or muscle biopsy as indicated
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention and control
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 5 tables, 2 figures, 3 self-test questions and 15 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.