Galactocerebrosidosis in dogs

Species: Dog
Condition: Galactocerebrosidosis
Organ System: Nervous/sensory

Myelin covers your dog’s nerves and performs a vital role in transmitting information from the nerves to the brain. If your dog suffers from Globoid cell leukodystrophy (galactocerebrosidosis) they are deficient in the enzyme ß-galactocerebrosidase which impacts on their body’s ability to produce myelin. As your pet ages, their inability to produce myelin has increasingly serious consequences such as lack of coordination, tremors, and weakness in the limbs. There is currently no cure for this condition; your vet will provide advice on how to care for your dog and at what point to accept that the time has come to have your dog put to sleep.

Breeds exposed to Galactocerebrosidosis – Research Reference
Border Terrier Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Cairn Terrier Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Labradoodle Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
English Setter Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Doberman Pinscher Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Boston Terrier Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Dobermann Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Labrador Retriever Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Hungarian Vizsla Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Scottish Terrier Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
West Highland White Terrier Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Doberman Pinscher – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Labradoodle – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Border Terrier – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Boston Terrier – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Cairn Terrier – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Dobermann – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
English Setter – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Hungarian Vizsla – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Scottish Terrier – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
West Highland White Terrier – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Labrador Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Labrador – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Labrador Retriever – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)

Disease Author
Dr Merliza Cabriles, Professor of Veterinary Medicine

To learn more about Galactocerebrosidosis or any other condition we invite you to search this website. Even better, pick up the phone and call your vet. Your vet knows your pet better than anyone else and is a fountain of information.