[Central nervous system disorders diagnosed in dogs]

Central nervous system (CNS) diseases in dogs diagnosed in the backlands of Paraiba are described. The necropsy records of 1,205 of dogs were reviewed. In 354 cases (29.38%) a history of clinical alterations of the nervous system were recorded. Two hundred and ninety six cases had a definitive diagnosis and 58 were inconclusive. Infectious diseases were observed in 59.60% (211/354) of cases representing the main cause of neurological disorders; 53% of the cases (186/354) were represented by viral diseases; 3.11% (11/354) were of parasitic etiology, 2.54% (9/354) were caused by bacteria and 1.41% (5/354) by fungi. Physical agents represented the second most important cause of CNS disorders with 9.89% (35/354) and tumors third cause with 5.93% (21/354). Other uncommon observed disorders were metabolic changes secondary to liver or kidney failure, accounting for 2.54% (9/354). Rare cases of congenital hydrocephalus were observed, 1.41% (5/354). The cases of neurological manifestations associated with vascular, degenerative and inflammatory noninfectious lesions, for many of which were specific cause was not established accounted for 4.24% (15/354); they were within the following disease categories: ischemic and hemorrhagic infarcts (6/15), vasculitis fibrinoide necrosis (5/15), intervertebral disc disease (2/15), granulomatous meningoencephalitis (1/15) and cholesterol granuloma (1/15). The central nervous system disorders represent an important cause of death or reason for euthanasia in dogs in the semiarid region of Paraiba. Clinical signs vary according to the agent involved, and the location and distribution of the lesions. The knowledge of the main agents that can affect the canine CNS it is important when making a list of differential diagnosis.