Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 39:547-550 (2003)
© 2003 American Animal Hospital Association
Clinical Evaluation of Rabies Virus Meningoencephalomyelitis in a Dog
Heidi L. Barnes, DVM,
Cheryl L. Chrisman, DVM, MS, EdS, Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology),
Lisa Farina, DVM and
Carol J. Detrisac, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVP
From the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100126, Gainesville, Florida 32610.
A 6-month-old, female, mixed-breed dog presented for acute, progressive, flaccid paraplegia and bilateral pelvic-limb hyperesthesia. A lymphocytic pleocytosis with 366 mg/dL protein was found on cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) evaluation. Electromyography (EMG) demonstrated positive sharp waves and fibrillations in the left pelvic limb; the M wave of the left sciatic nerve was not obtainable by nerve stimulation. Seizures and dementia began during recovery from anesthesia. Six days after onset of paralysis, the dog was euthanized. Direct fluorescent antibody testing of the brain was positive for raccoon rabies virus. This case demonstrates clinical evaluation, CSF analysis, and EMG in an animal with rabies meningoencephalomyelitis.
Copyright © 2003 by the American Animal Hospital Association.
