NEUROPATIAS EM PEQUENOS ANIMAIS ATENDIDOS NA CLÍNICA-ESCOLA VETERINÁRIA DA UNIVERSIDADE IGUAÇU (UNIG) NO PERÍODO DE 2022 A 2024.

Neurological studies of pets in Rio de Janeiro are limited, especially in the Baixada Fluminense. Due to the limited epidemiological data, there is a lack of information about species, breed, age, sex, diseases, mortality, and the most prevalent signs, which could contribute to the clinical approach. The aim was to gather epidemiological data on animals treated at the Veterinary Teaching Clinic of UNIG from 2022 to 2024. Records of patients were categorized according to the DINAMIT-V acronym, and data were examined for statistical analysis. 4,521 animals were treated during this period, 117 presented neurological signs and 113 of which were neuropathies. Among these, 67 had conclusive diagnoses, 31 presumptive diagnoses, 15 inconclusive diagnoses, and 13 deaths, with most cases being of canine distemper. Infectious/ inflammatory diseases accounted for 31.1%, idiopathic conditions 26.9%, degenerative diseases 22.4%, traumas 13.4%, neoplastic conditions 3%, metabolic disorders 1.5%, and other causes 1.5%. Degenerative disc intervertebral disease (DDIV) was predominantly detected in chondrodystrophic breeds (64.3%), and epilepsy was more common in Miniature Pinschers (20%). The most affected age groups were "young- adult" animals and geriatric dogs. Canine distemper was the leading cause in dogs, with a high incidence of unvaccinated animals, highlighting the importance of vaccination. In felines, trauma was more prevalent. Seizures and proprioceptive deficits were the most evident clinical signs, with vomiting being a common nonspecific sign. The most represented breeds were Poodles, Bulldogs, and Miniature Pinschers. 2023 had the highest occurrence, indicating that neuropathies are becoming increasingly frequent and concerning clinical practice.