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Question

Our 3 1/2 year old male Schnauzer developed ataxia without weakness in all limbs over 1-2 days. This has persisted without worsening for 5 days. He has not had seizures. He does not have nystagmus or head tilt. Except for listlessness, his behavior has been otherwise normal. He can still walk, slowly, for a block or more. We are not aware of any toxin exposures, and our other female Schnauzer has been well. He has not had any trauma. A CBC and chemistry survey were normal. What is the differential diagnosis? I am an internist.

Submitted: 602 days and 11 hours ago.
Category: Dog
Value: $15
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

Optional Information:
Age: 3; Male; Breed: Schnauzer

Already Tried:
Blood tests, IV fluids, vet visit

Posted by NancyH 602 days and 6 hours ago.

Info Request

Have there been any traumatic incidents in his past such as hitting the end of the leash hard, or a car accident, or bad leap?

602 days and 5 hours ago.

Reply

He has not hit the end of his leash hard. We are not aware of any bad leaps. When he was about 9 months old he ran across the street when a car was passing. He ran into the side of the tire and bounced off. He was a little stunned, but walked away. Since that time, he has not shown any signs of a c-spine injury, though. He has been a very athletic dog, and has not had any signs of neck pain. We had a beagle with C-spine disease and he behaved differently. This dog does not seem to be in pain. The deficit seems to be pure ataxia, without weakness, and it seems to be very symmetrical right to left and fore to rear. If I saw this in a human I would be thinking about cerebellar or medullary disease.
Thanks

Accepted Answer

I would consider checking him for a neck problem. It may be that close encounter with a car is back to haunt him.
Some injuries in that area cause pain and some cause loss of control of the body it all depends on how the nerves are pinched. Picture just a little of the signal getting through and not all of it.
You might also consider checking for tick carried diseases as some can cause muscle issues and paralysis.
A cerebellar tumor is a possibility.
You can see the standard list of issues here
http://neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu/neuro/Localization/neuro_l.htm
I know he isn't paralyzed but this site goes over four limb paralysis and may have some clues
http://neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu/neuro/quadriparesis/quad2.htm
and more on 4 leg weakness here
http://neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu/neuro/lmn_dis/lmn_dis.htm
If you are not seeing a veterinary neurologist I would suggest that as a good next step.
Hope this helps you!

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Expert: NancyH
Pos. Feedback: 99.5 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 3/31/2008

Dog Expert:Rescue, Train,Breed,Care

30+ yrs dog home vet care & nursing, rescue, behavior&training, responsible show breeding, genetics

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