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A 9‐month‐old male Bullmastiff cross dog was presented with a history of progressive proprioceptive ataxia and behavior changes. Neuroanatomical localization was multifocal with forebrain and vestibulo‐cerebellum involvement. MRI identified moderate diffuse cerebral sulci widening, dilation of the ventricular system, and rounded, well‐defined, bilaterally symmetrical T2W, FLAIR, and T2* hyperintense intra‐axial lesions affecting the olivary nuclei. Histopathological examination was indicative of a primary mitochondrial disorder. This was confirmed following genetic analysis which identified mitochondrial fission encephalopathy with a homozygous frameshift variant in the MFF gene. This case report documents diagnostic imaging and histopathological findings not previously reported in dogs affected with mitochondrial fission encephalopathy, suggesting a different selective regional vulnerability of the neurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chiari-like malformation in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a herniation of the cerebellum and brainstem into or through the foramen magnum. This condition predisposes to Syringomyelia; fluid filled syrinxes within the spinal cord. The resulting pathology in spinal cord and cerebellum create neuropathic pain and changes in gait. This study aims to quantify the changes in gait for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with Chiari-like malformation and Syringomyelia. Methods: We compared Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with Chiari-like malformation with (n = 9) and without (n = 8) Syringomyelia to Border Terriers (n = 8). Two video cameras and manual tracking was used to quantify gait parameters. Results and conclusions: We found a significant increase in coefficient of variation for the spatio-temporal characteristics and ipsilateral distance between paws and a wider base of support in the thoracic limbs but not in the pelvic limbs for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels compared with the border terrier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]