dit is ook al eens naar de neurologen in Utrecht gestuurd, dus ze wisten dat er in Engeland neurologen zijn die veel van OT af weten.
orthostatic tremor in giant
breed dogs
MADAM
We have recently recognised a new
movement disorder in Great Danes and
mastiffs known in man as primary orthostatic
tremor (OT). We hope to collect
a sufficient number of cases for genetic
analysis and long-term treatment evaluation.
This neurological condition causes
dramatic tremors that are visible only when
the animal is standing. The tremors typically
begin in the lower aspects of the legs,
but can also involve themuscles of the head
and face. The tremors are usually first
apparent at a young age (1-2 years). The
unique feature of the tremors is that
affected dogs often appear reluctant to lie
down and demonstrate what appears to
be a constant ‘‘shivering’’ while standing,
almost suggestive of an involuntary dance.
OT is different from other causes of tremors
in that the tremors completely disappear
when the dog walks, runs, leans
against an object, or lies down. We believe
that OT has been previously mistaken for
other diseases known to affect large breed
dogs including Wobbler syndrome, Addison’s
disease, and cerebellar disease. Great
Danes with OT appear otherwise healthy
on physical examination, and generally
do not have any significant abnormalities
detectable on routine blood tests, radiographic
examination, or spinal fluid analysis.
MRI examination of the brains of these
dogs is normal. Definitive diagnosis of OT
requires documentation of the characteristic
tremor pattern during a conscious electromyographic
(EMG) examination.
To date about a dozen Great Danes and
mastiffs in the United States, Canada, and
the UK have been identified with OT. The
cause of OT in man and dogs is unknown.
Currently available information suggests
that affected dogs are not related, but a pedigree
analysis has not yet been completed.
The identification of spontaneous OT in
dogs provides a unique research opportunity
that may be beneficial to our understanding
of the cause and eventual
treatment of this disease in people and
dogs. We are therefore appealing for veterinarians
to contact us if they suspect OT in
a giant breed dog.
If you suspect a case of OT and would
like to discuss it please contact Davies Veterinary
Specialists (Laurent Garosi),
Manor Farm Business Park, Higham
Gobion, Herts SG5 3HR, UK, e-mail:
[email protected], or Department
of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (John
Rossmeisl), VA-MD Regional College of
Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech,
Blacksburg, VA 24060-0442, USA, e-mail:
[email protected]
Reference
GAROSI, L. S., ROSSMEISL, J. H., DE LAHUNTA, A., SHELTON,
G. D. & LENNOX, G. (2005) Primary orthostatic
tremor in Great Danes. Journal of Veterinary Internal
Medicine 19, 606-609
Journal
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