Acral Mutilation Syndrome in Dogs

Category: Nervous System & Behavioral
Inheritance: Autosomal recessive
Breeds documented: 6
Published sources: 6

Overview

Reduced pain sensation in the feet leaves affected dogs vulnerable to injuries they may not react to normally. Acral mutilation syndrome is an inherited sensory nerve disorder in which puppies may lick and bite their paws repeatedly. This can lead to open sores, damaged nails and severe toe injuries. Movement and awareness of limb position may remain normal even when pain sensation is impaired.

Signs to watch for

Repeated licking or biting of the paws
Sores or damaged skin on the feet
Missing nails
Little apparent pain despite a foot injury

Signs often begin in young puppies, around 4 months of age in reported sporting breeds.

When to get help Arrange a vet visit promptly for persistent paw biting or foot injuries with little apparent pain.

Diagnosis and tests

Vets assess foot injuries and examine sensation in the limbs. A neurological examination checks movement and reflexes, which may remain normal despite reduced pain sensation in the feet. Genetic analysis has identified a disease-associated change near the GDNF gene in several sporting breeds.

Breeds with documented risk

6 breeds

By breed size

1 Small
4 Medium
1 Large

German Shorthaired PointerMedium · Sporting Group
English Springer SpanielMedium · Sporting Group
Cocker SpanielSmall · Sporting Group
English Cocker SpanielMedium · Sporting Group
PointerLarge · Sporting Group
French SpanielMedium · Foundation Stock Service

Inheritance

Autosomal recessive
A dog is affected only if it inherits two copies of the gene variant, one from each parent. A dog with one copy is a carrier: usually healthy, but able to pass the variant on. When two carriers are bred, on average one puppy in four is affected. A DNA test can tell clear, carrier and at-risk dogs apart.
As stated by OMIA

We've gathered what published sources say about this condition, so you can talk it through with your vet. It isn't veterinary advice: you and your vet know your dog best.