Distal peripheral polyneuropathy in a great dane.

A spayed female five year old Great Dane dog was diagnosed as having a chronic, progressive, symmetrical distal polyneuropathy and concurrent hypothyroidism. Axonal degeneration and segmental demyelination were evident in teased nerve fiber preparations. Clinical signs included hindlimb weakness and muscle atrophy of the head and distal limbs. Diagnosis was based on clinical, electrophysiological, and nerve and muscle biopsy findings. Thyroxine supplementation for one month was of no benefit. The etiology of the polyneuropathy was not established but several causes were considered. The extent of demyelination in our case was of greater magnitude than described in a previous report of a similar idiopathic distal symmetrical polyneuropathy in a Great Dane.