Distal Sensorimotor Polyneuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is a problem with the nerves that carry information to and from the brain and spinal cord. This produces pain, loss of sensation, and inability to control muscles. "Peripheral" means nerves beyond the brain and spinal cord. "Neuro" means nerves. "Pathy" means abnormal.

There are numerous reasons for nerves to malfunction. In some cases, no cause can be identified. Damage to nerves can result from one of the specific conditions associated with neuropathy. Some people and animals have a hereditary predisposition for neuropathy. In dogs, the neuropathy may appear after heparin therapy for disseminated intravascular coagulation, a complication of thiacetarsamide therapy for heartworm disease.

Breeds Affected by Distal Sensorimotor Polyneuropathy

A hereditary form of distal sensorimotor polyneuropathy has been described in Rottweiler dogs, Bouvier des Flandres and Alaskan Malamutes with signs including weakness, exercise intolerance, walking on the sole of the foot with the heel touching the ground, just like humans, partial or complete paralysis of all four limbs, lessened muscle tone and muscle withering (atrophy), especially in skeletal muscles, and reduced response to muscle stimulation. The abnormal gait is mild initially but becomes severe as the disease progresses.

Signs of Distal Sensorimotor Polyneuropathy

Although signs may appear suddenly, the course tends to be gradually progressive (up to 12 months or longer in some dogs) and may be relapsing. The clinical course is slow, usually taking 6 to 18 months for the dogs to become markedly affected. Neuropathy is confirmed by biopsy of muscle and nerve.

The disease has similarities to hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (HMSN) type II in humans.

Adapted from:
1. Distal sensorimotor polyneuropathy in mature Rottweiler dogs. Braund KG, Toivio-Kinnucan M, Vallat JM, Mehta JR, Levesque DC.
2. Distal polyneuropathy after canine heartworm disease therapy complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation. Dillon AR, Braund KG.
3. Idiopathic polyneuropathy in Alaskan malamutes. Braund KG, Shores A, Lowrie CT, Steinberg HS, Moore MP, Bagley RS, Steiss JE.
4. New adult-onset distal sensorimotor polyneuropathy in Bouvier des Flandres dogs. Ronaldo C. da Costa, DMV, MSc.