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YORKSHIRE TERRIER ENCEPHALITIS

Note for Pet Owners:

This information is provided by Provet for educational purposes only.

You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

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This disease is not reported very often, and the incidence may be higher than previously thought. Provet would like to hear from you if you have had a confirmed case of this disease. Please send case details to feedback@provet.co.uk

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Description
In many countries a form of encephalitis specific to adult Yorkshire Terriers has been reported, including North America, Europe and Japan. 

Cause
The cause of Yorkshire Terrier encephalitis is unknown, but it is believed to be an infection - probably viral. The following viruses have been confirmed not to be involved :

  • Canine distemper virus
  • Rabies virus
  • Tick-borne encephalitis virus

Breed Occurrence
The pathological findings appear to be confined to the Yorkshire Terrier breed. Adults of both sexes are equally affected.

Signs

The clinical signs may occur acutely or develop over a period of time, and they include :

  • Continuous pacing
  • Impaired vision
  • Vestibular syndrome signs - ataxia, head tilt
  • Cranial nerve deficits

Some of these cases may be diagnosed as another problem.

Complications
There may be concurrent organic disease present in these dogs at the same time which may confuse the diagnosis

Diagnosis
The clinical signs are non-specific so the diagnosis can not be confirmed except at post-mortem examination when the pathological findings include :

* These appear as areas of brown discolouration on sections cut across the brain

Treatment
There is no known treatment

Prognosis
Guarded

Long term problems

Owners may request euthanasia due to the senile changes

 

Updated January 2016