Ataxia in Jack Russell terriers

This paper describes two cases of a progressive incoordination in Jack Russell terriers. Histologically the entity was characterised by widespread Wallerian-type degeneration of the brain and cord, together with focal symmetrical demyelination of the dorsolateral and ventromedial columns of the cord. One dog also showed severe ballooning of myelin sheaths in the dorsal and ventral spinal nerves and oedema and fibrosis of the sciatic nerve. Both dogs also showed degenerative changes of the central auditory pathways.