Severe brain damage after punitive training technique with a choke chain collar in a German shepherd dog

The features of severe ischemic brain damage after strangulation by the owner of a 1-yearold German shepherd dog are described. The dog was disciplined by the owner during training by holding the dog off the ground by his choke chain collar. At first, the dog behaved normally, but he became increasingly ataxic and started circling to the left and showed reduced consciousness. The neurological examination revealed severe disorientation, left lateral pleurothotonus, and circling. The neurological findings were consistent with a multifocal brain lesion. A magnetic resonance imaging scan was performed and showed changes in the T2and diffusion-weighted images, consistent with severe cerebral edema resulting from ischemia. Because of the severity of the clinical features, the dog was later euthanized. To the author’s knowledge, this is the first report of a severe brain ischemia after strangulation in a dog. 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Case description and vitamin B of unknown quantities were administered by A 1-year-old, male intact, German shepherd dog (weight 40 kg) with incoordination and circling to the left was presented at our small animal clinic. Four hours before presentation, the dog had been disciplined by the owner because of misbehavior during training. The dog was suspended a few feet in the air by its choke chain collar, a common form of punishment among dog handlers (Miller, 2008). By the owners’ reckoning, the action was terminated after approximately 60 seconds when the dog panicked and finally lost consciousness for a few seconds. At first, the dog appeared normal to the owner. During the next few hours, the dog became increasingly ataxic on all 4 limbs andwas circling to the left. The initial investigation of the referring veterinarian showed no abnormalities on general physical examination. Metamizol, dexamethasone, : Kristina Grohmann, Animal Clinic, Justus