Spongy Degeneration with Cerebellar Ataxia 2 in Dogs

Breeds documented
4
Published sources
4

Overview

This inherited disorder damages the nervous system very early in life. It has been linked to a change in the ATP1B2 gene in Belgian Shepherd dogs. Affected puppies lose coordination and may develop seizures, vision loss and repetitive circling. The reported cases worsened rapidly, and severe problems with walking developed within weeks. Microscopic examination showed small empty spaces in affected nervous tissue.

Signs to watch for

  • A very unsteady walk
  • Difficulty walking that quickly becomes severe
  • Seizures
  • Repeated pacing or circling
  • Loss of vision

In the reported affected litter, signs began at about four weeks of age.

Emergency Go to an emergency vet now if your dog is having a seizure.

Diagnosis and tests

DNA analysis can identify the extra piece of DNA in the ATP1B2 gene associated with this form of disease. It can also identify dogs carrying one copy of that change. Similar movement problems can have other genetic causes, so this result addresses one specific form rather than every inherited coordination disorder.

Breeds with documented risk

4 breeds

By breed size
  • 1 Medium
  • 3 Large

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.

Sources

  1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. vetmed.tamu.edu
  3. Belgian Malinois: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. Belgian Malinois: omia.org