What Is Cerebellar Hypoplasia?

Fetal infections caused by canine herpes virus are most common. Congenital anatomic deformities of the central nervous system of unknown cause. It was previously thought to be related to genetic factors and has now been denied.

Cerebellar hypoplasia

Fetal infections caused by canine herpes virus are most common. Congenital anatomic deformities of the central nervous system of unknown cause. It was previously thought to be related to genetic factors and has now been denied.

Western Medicine Name

Cerebellar hypoplasia

Affiliated Department

Surgery-Neurosurgery

Disease site

brain

The main symptoms

Movement disorders, difficulty in maintaining balance, etc.

Main cause

Canine herpes virus is most common in fetal infections

Severe symptoms

Determined by the degree of cerebellar dysplasia

Treatment

Can be installed with a pacemaker, etc.

Cerebellar hypoplasia

Symptoms due to cerebellar dysfunction are most striking. Loss of coordinated movements of the head, torso, and limbs, movement disorders, head trembling, the body often sways, unable to maintain a normal posture, and difficulty in maintaining standing balance (usually leaning to one side or back, and sometimes leaning forward to bend the head) , Nod movement (caused by inconsistent flexion and extension of neck muscles). Symptoms such as circle movements, seizures, nystagmus, angled bow reflexes, standing limbs apart, scissors-like gait, abnormal limb movements, and muscle weakness are also common. These symptoms can be present after birth, but it is difficult to distinguish the movements from normal dogs at this time. Therefore, the symptoms usually begin to appear when the puppies are able to walk normally (3 to 4 weeks after birth). Symptoms become more pronounced as the puppy grows and the activity is active (even if the dyskinesia is still present when wearing eye masks), the cerebellar tissue is destroyed and the symptoms no longer worsen. Sometimes the gait is improved because of the compensation function. The severity of the symptoms is determined by the degree of cerebellar developmental disorder. When the cerebellar developmental disorder is lighter, it is full of energy, lively and active, and close to normal dogs. But most of them are in a severe state of being unable to walk. The temporary reflex disappeared and the spinal cord reflex was hyperactive. In general, feeding and chewing can be performed normally, but when the condition is severe, feeding actions cannot be coordinated and the body gradually loses weight. No pain. Although the disease cannot be fatal, as a carrier of the virus, it sometimes continues to detoxify for several months, becoming a source of infection for other dogs.

Cerebellar hypoplasia diagnosis

Although this disease needs to be distinguished from head trauma, hydrocephalus, and spinal cord defects in newborn puppies, the typical symptoms mentioned above appear when puppies begin to walk, and this disease should be suspected first. Observation with the naked eye belongs to a dog with cerebellar hypoplasia, although the collapse of the posterior cranial fossa can be seen on a radiograph of the side of the head. But this feature is not always visible. In addition, the severity of the disease is not necessarily parallel to the size of the cerebellum. During necropsy, the cerebellum atrophy (normal size of the brain and medulla) can be seen to the naked eye, and histological observations have characteristic characteristics (the molecular layer cells, Purkinje cells, and granular layer cells of the cerebellar cortex significantly reduce or even disappear) This can confirm the diagnosis. Viruses were isolated from cerebellar tissue, viral antigens were detected by fluorescent antibody methods (mainly in Purkinje cells), and high titers of virus-neutralizing antibodies in blood could also help confirm the diagnosis.

Cerebellar hypoplasia treatment

A brain pacemaker can be installed to treat this disease. In less severe cases, exercise inhibitors can sometimes play a role. Note: Puppies under 4 weeks of age and pregnant dogs should not be vaccinated against canine herpes virus. Canine herpes virus has a high affinity with vigorously dividing cells. The central nervous system, especially the cerebellar granulosa cells, is highly susceptible to the virus during neonatal period. It is an important factor in the development of this disease. It is caused by placental infection. Newborn dogs are also at risk, so canine vaccination during this period is harmful.