Approach to canine paroxysmal dyskinesias

The term ‘paroxysmal dyskinesia’ (PD) describes a manifestation of involuntary movement or muscle tone, which by definition is episodic in nature and self-limiting. The PDs remain poorly understood and frequently under-recognised conditions in veterinary patients. The purpose of this article is to review the basic classification and principles of recognition and diagnosis of PDs. This article introduces some of the breed-specific PDs, as well as the treatment/management options available and expected outcomes

A cross-species approach to disorders affecting brain and behaviour.

Structural and functional elements of biological systems are highly conserved across vertebrates. Many neurological and psychiatric conditions affect both humans and animals. A cross-species approach to the study of brain and behaviour can advance our understanding of human disorders via the identification of unrecognized natural models of spontaneous disorders, thus revealing novel factors that increase vulnerability or resilience, and via the assessment of potential therapies. Moreover, diagnostic and therapeutic advances in human neurology and psychiatry can often be adapted for veterinary patients. However, clinical and research collaborations between physicians and veterinarians remain limited, leaving this wealth of comparative information largely untapped. Here, we review pain, cognitive decline syndromes, epilepsy, anxiety and compulsions, autoimmune and infectious encephalitides and mismatch disorders across a range of animal species, looking for novel insights with translational potential. This comparative perspective can help generate novel hypotheses, expand and improve clinical trials and identify natural animal models of disease resistance and vulnerability