Milky, a Maltese with idiopathic head tremor syndrome

SPECIES: Dog
BREED: Maltese
GENDER: F
AGE: 1 year
NAME: Milky

Clinical case

The animal was adopted at the age of one year. The owner immediately noticed the appearance of involuntary tremors, especially during stressful situations. During the first week after adoption, the tremors appeared even at rest.

  • No traumatic episodes at cranial level were reported before the adoption
  • Appetite normal
  • Previously treated with prednisone 1mg/kg orally, twice a day for three weeks without evident improvement

Clinical examination 

At the clinical examination: temperature 39°, RR and HR normal. No pain on palpation.

On neurological examination: 

  • Mental state: alert and responsive
  • Posture: normal
  • Gait: Tetraparesis
  • Cranial nerves: normal
  • Spinal reflexes: normal
  • Sensitivity: normal

Distemper test: negative

Therapy

  • Integration with multivitamin complex, folic acid, iron sulphate, lysine, and inositol
  • Mineral supplement enriched with probiotics
  • Gradual reduction of cortisone therapy
  • Progressive socialisation with other cohabiting animals to minimise stress
  • MLS® Laser Therapy with M-VET device

MLS® Laser Therapy therapeutic protocol

  • Sessions 1 & 2 = «inflammation» program, scanning mode, frequency 18 Hz, intensity 70%, duration 3 minutes, fluence rate 4.23J/cm2
  • Sessions 3 & 4 = «inflammation» program, point to point mode, frequency 18 Hz, intensity 40%, 6 points, fluence rate 6.81J/cm2
  • Sessions 5 -10 = «inflammation» program, point to point mode, frequency 18 Hz, intensity 50%, 6 points, fluence rate 8.46J/cm2
  • Sessions 11 & 12 = «inflammation» program, scanning mode, frequency 18 Hz, intensity 70%, duration 4 minutes, fluence rate 5.64J/cm2

Laser therapy applied on the temporal area bilaterally, cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral spine region, lateral to the thorax and abdomen region.

Results

  • Progressive improvement evident from the second session
  • Suspension of cortisone after the second session, maintenance with supplementation of folic acid, iron sulphate, lysine and inositol, multivitamin, mineral supplement, and probiotics
  • After the sixth session only minimal tremors remained
  • After the tenth session only sporadic and minimal tremors alternated with long periods with no symptoms
  • Complete resolution of symptoms in 12 sessions