![]() These signs can occur in isolation or evolve to focal seizures with impaired awareness or to generalized seizures. In focal epilepsy, abnormal excessive neuronal discharges in specific regions of the brain can result in episodic behavioral signs such as anxiety or unexplainable fear. transmissible spongiform encephalopathy.Veterinarians should be aware that sudden episodes of unusual behavior can represent focal epilepsy. The observed paroxysmal fear-related behavior represents a newly recognized hereditary focal epilepsy in dogs with distinctive clinical and histopathologic features. Family history, pedigree analysis, and the homogenous phenotype were suggestive of autosomal recessive inheritance. Histopathology showed moderate numbers of single large vacuoles in the perikaryon of neurons throughout the brain, specifically in the deeper cerebral cortical regions. Results of laboratory investigations, diagnostic imaging, and metabolic screening were generally unremarkable. All affected Boerboels also had autonomic or motor signs. All Boerboels howled loudly, had an extremely fearful facial expression and trembled during seizures. Onset of signs was 3 months of age in all affected Boerboels. In addition, in 2 affected Boerboels, metabolic screening, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, and necropsy were performed. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the brain were performed in 3 affected Boerboels. MethodsĬlinical examination, complete blood cell count, routine blood biochemistry, and urinalysis were performed in all dogs. Animalsįive client-owned Boerboel littermates presented for evaluation of sudden episodes of severe fear-related behavior. To describe the clinical and histopathological characteristics of a novel focal epilepsy in Boerboel dogs. Reports focusing on ictal fear-like behavior in animals are scarce. Focal seizures with fear as a primary ictal manifestation, their diagnostic challenges, and impact on quality of life are well described in human medicine.
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