Alaskan Husky Encephalopathy in Dogs

Category: Nervous System & Behavioral
Breeds documented: 1
Published sources: 6

Overview

This inherited brain disease damages several areas involved in movement, awareness and vision. It is linked to a faulty transporter that normally helps brain cells take up thiamine, also called vitamin B1. Signs may begin suddenly or follow a changing course, with periods of relative stability. The long-term outlook is poor, although some dogs live for months or years before the disease advances.

Signs to watch for

Seizures
Unsteady walking or unusually high steps
Difficulty eating
Vision problems
Unusual behavior or reduced awareness

Signs usually begin in young dogs, but the age varies.

Emergency Call a vet immediately if your dog has a seizure.

Diagnosis and tests

Vets assess the neurological signs and may use MRI, a detailed brain scan, to look for a characteristic pattern of damage. A DNA test is available for the known Alaskan Husky variant. It can distinguish dogs with no copies, one copy or two copies of the variant and help guide breeding decisions.

Breeds with documented risk

1 breed

By breed size

1 Medium

Alaskan HuskyMedium

Inheritance

Not yet known
None of the sources we use states how this is inherited in dogs yet.

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.