Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How Behavioral Changes Can Indicate Serious Cerebral Pathology: A Case Report of Concomitant Olfactory Neuroblastoma and Distemper Virus Encephalitis in a Swiss Shepherd Dog
- Journal:
- Veterinary Sciences
- Year:
- 2017
- Authors:
- Dario Candini et al.
- Affiliation:
- Veterinary practitioner, 10144 Turin, Italy · CH
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
This case involves a 5-year-old Swiss shepherd dog that showed changes in behavior, had seizures, nosebleeds, and trouble with coordination. After various tests, the veterinarian suspected the dog had an infection from the Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) and started treatment with a medication called Ω-interferon. Unfortunately, the dog's condition continued to worsen despite treatment, leading to the difficult decision to euthanize the dog. A post-mortem examination revealed a tumor in the brain and signs of inflammation consistent with the CDV infection. This case is notable because it is the first documented instance of a dog having both CDV-related brain inflammation and an olfactory neuroblastoma (a type of brain tumor).
Abstract
Behavioral alterations in dogs are not easy to understand and cure. The situation is more difficult when an encephalitis due to Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) and a concomitant olfactory neuroblastoma are present. This case report deals with the story of a 5-year-old Swiss shepherd dog with behavioral changes, seizures, epistaxis and ataxia. Following clinical and laboratory exams, a suspected diagnosis of CDV infection was hypothesized, and a therapy based on Ω-interferon was administered. Every supporting therapy failed and the worsening of the clinical conditions led to the euthanasia of the patient. A neoformation in the right frontal lobe was found post mortem. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry investigation showed a non-suppurative demyelinating encephalitis, suggestive of CDV infection, and a desmoplastic epithelioid olfactory neuroblastoma. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first clinical pathological report of a non-suppurative encephalitis due to CDV infection and olfactory neuroblastoma in a dog.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci4030042