Neural tube defects in four Shetland sheepdog puppies: clinical characterisation and computed tomography investigation
Access status:
Open Access
Type
ArticleAuthor/s
Thomas, Zoe MPodadera, Juan M
Donahoe, Shannon L
Foo, Timothy SY
Weerakoon, Lakmini
Mazrier, Hamutal
Abstract
Case report Here we report on the occurrence of neural tube defects in four related
Shetland sheepdog puppies. Neural tube defects present as a range of congenital
malformations affecting the spine, skull and associated structures. Despite the severity of
these malformations ...
See moreCase report Here we report on the occurrence of neural tube defects in four related Shetland sheepdog puppies. Neural tube defects present as a range of congenital malformations affecting the spine, skull and associated structures. Despite the severity of these malformations and their relatively high prevalence in humans, the aetiology is not well understood. It is even less well characterised in veterinary medicine. Affected puppies were investigated using computed tomography and then post-mortem examination. Computed tomography identified a range of brain and spine abnormalities in the affected animals, including caudal anencephaly, encephalocele, spina bifida and malformed vertebrae. Other observed abnormalities in these puppies, including cranioschisis, atresia ani and hydrocephalus, may be secondary to, or associated with, the primary neural tube defects identified. Conclusion This case report describes multiple related cases of neural tube defects in an Australian cohort of dogs. This study also highlights the potential of advanced imaging techniques in identifying congenital anomalies in stillborn and neonatal puppies. Further research is required to investigate the aetiology of neural tube defects in this group of affected Shetland sheepdogs.
See less
See moreCase report Here we report on the occurrence of neural tube defects in four related Shetland sheepdog puppies. Neural tube defects present as a range of congenital malformations affecting the spine, skull and associated structures. Despite the severity of these malformations and their relatively high prevalence in humans, the aetiology is not well understood. It is even less well characterised in veterinary medicine. Affected puppies were investigated using computed tomography and then post-mortem examination. Computed tomography identified a range of brain and spine abnormalities in the affected animals, including caudal anencephaly, encephalocele, spina bifida and malformed vertebrae. Other observed abnormalities in these puppies, including cranioschisis, atresia ani and hydrocephalus, may be secondary to, or associated with, the primary neural tube defects identified. Conclusion This case report describes multiple related cases of neural tube defects in an Australian cohort of dogs. This study also highlights the potential of advanced imaging techniques in identifying congenital anomalies in stillborn and neonatal puppies. Further research is required to investigate the aetiology of neural tube defects in this group of affected Shetland sheepdogs.
See less
Date
2020Source title
Australian Veterinary JournalVolume
98Issue
7Publisher
WileyFunding information
Betty and Keith Cook Canine Research Fund
The University of Sydney Higher Degree Research (HDR) student support scheme
Licence
Copyright All Rights ReservedRights statement
This is the accepted version of the following article: Thomas Z, Podadera J, Donahoe S, Foo T, Weerakoon L, Mazrier H. Neural tube defects in four Shetland sheepdog puppies: clinical characterisation and computed tomography investigation. Australian Veterinary Journal. 2020; 98:312-318, which has been published in final form at [https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.12949]. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with the Wiley Self-Archiving Policy [http://www.wileyauthors.com/self-archiving].Faculty/School
Faculty of Science, Sydney Institute of Veterinary ScienceShare