Peripheral neuropathy in two dogs: correlation between clinical, electrophysiological and pathological findings

The clinical, electrophysiological and pathological features of two dogs with peripheral neuropathies are presented. Both dogs had clinical signs of diffuse lower motor neuron disease including paresis, hypotonia, depressed segmental spinal reflexes and generalized muscle wasting. Giant motor units and abnormal spontaneous activity were recorded in distal limb muscles. The muscle pathology demonstrated chronic denervation and re‐innervation, with extensive fibre type grouping in distal muscles in one case. The distal peripheral nerves showed a marked decrease in myelinated fibres; segmental demyelination and remyelination were a prominent feature of teased fibre preparations. In both dogs the recurrent laryngeal nerves were severely affected. The aetiology of these neuropathies remains obscure but their association with other systemic diseases is discussed.