Neuromuscular Atrophy in dogs

Species: Dog
Condition: Neuromuscular Atrophy
Organ System: Nervous/sensory

Progressive wasting of the muscles caused by inadequate nerve supply. It is believed to be an inherited condition and it is therefore forbidden to use affected animals for breeding. Owners of the dogs with neuromuscular atrophy will notice first symptoms when the dog is 4 to 6 weeks old. Animals display muscle weakness and inability to endure the usual exercise. As the condition progresses, the dogs become less and less able to move and visible muscle mass deterioration can be seen. Severe cases are accompanied with urinary incontinence and complete paralysis of all four legs. Since there is no effective treatment, the prognosis is guarded.

Breeds exposed to Neuromuscular Atrophy – Research Reference
Miniature Poodle Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
“Golden Retriever Cross – (Barnett 1978
Dalmatian Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Labradoodle Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Lhasa Apso Cross – (ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)
Bedlington Terrier Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Pomeranian Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Poodle – Standard Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Poodle – Toy Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Pekingese Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
German Schnauzer Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Schnoodle Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Bedlington Terrier – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Pomeranian – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Cavoodle – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Poodle – Toy – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
“Golden Doodle (Groodle) – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database) & (Barnett 1978
Labradoodle – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
German Schnauzer – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Dalmatian – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Miniature Poodle – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Pekingese – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Poodle – Standard – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Schnoodle – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
“Spoodle – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database) & (Barnett 1978
“Samoyed Cross – (Gaynor
“Spoodle Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database) & (Barnett 1978
“Cocker Spaniel Cross – (Barnett 1978
“American Cocker Spaniel Cross – (Barnett 1978
“Samoyed – (Gaynor
“American Cocker Spaniel – (Barnett 1978
“Cocker Spaniel – (Barnett 1978
“Golden Retriever – (Barnett 1978
Lhasa Apso – (ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Disease Author
Dr Merliza Cabriles, Professor of Veterinary Medicine

To learn more about Neuromuscular Atrophy 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.