Lifespan and Causes of Death in the Irish Wolfhound - Vetsuisse ...

3.12.4 Atypical Hepatic Encephalopathy
The occurrence of an atypical hepatic encephalopathy as a probable consequence of
PSS was described in two Irish Wolfhound siblings in 2003. As opposed to what is
generally seen in hepatic encephalopathy, the white matter was not predominantly
involved. Histologically, widespread spongiform changes in the neuropil, fibre
bundles interspersed within the grey matter and some neuronal vacuoles could be
observed. No infectious agents (rabies or distemper virus, prion proteins) were
detected (Herden, Beineke et al. 2003).
3.12.5 Spinal Nephroblastoma
A spinal nephroblastoma was described in a yearling Irish Wolfhound male from
South Africa by Vaughan-Scott, Goldin et al. (1999), leading to slowly progressive
paresis of the left hind limb. This intradural, extramedullary tumour has been
described under various names (e.g. neuroepithelioma, hamartoma, ependymoma,
medulloepithelioma), occurring infrequently between T10 and L2 in young large
breed dogs. In the dog in question, it was diagnosed through myelography and
cerebrospinal fluid analysis, which showed an intradural, extramedullary mass, and
the presence of neoplastic cells respectively. Diagnosis was confirmed post mortem
through histopathology.
Given that as opposed to the reported case, clinical symptom onset is usually
described as sudden, this tumour type should be taken into consideration as a
differential diagnosis for FCE (see chapter 3.7.1). Prognosis for complete recovery
after surgical excision is guarded to poor; the dog in the study was euthanised during
surgery due to infiltrative tumour growth.
3.12.6 Extraocular Myositis and Acquired Strabismus
Strabismus following conjunctivitis was reported in four related Irish Wolfhounds
(Wolfer 1995). A later study described three cases where strabismus developed as a
result of extraocular myositis and subsequent fibrosis (Allgoewer, Blair et al. 2000).
The three animals in the latter study had already been described by Wolfer (1995)
(Wolfer, personal communication) – the total number of cases in the literature is thus
four Irish Wolfhounds
Successful therapy consisted of surgical resection of the inflamed/contracted muscle
in combination with immunosuppression. Given the relatedness of the animals in
these studies, a hereditary component is possible.
3.12.7 Cervical Spondylomyelopathy (Wobbler Syndrome)
Cervical spondylomyelopathy has been reported to occur in Irish Wolfhounds. The
intervertebral space of C3-C4 seems top be most frequently affected in the breed.
The aetiology of the condition is uncertain, although genetic predisposition, overnutrition
and osteochondrosis (see chapter 3.9) have been suggested to play a role
in its development. Signs are most commonly observed before the end of skeletal
maturation, although they may also become evident at a later age (Ettinger and
Feldman 1995).
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