Species: Dog
Condition: Spinocerebellar Degeneration
Organ System: Nervous/sensory
Occurs when the cerebellum is unable to normally coordinate movement. Affected dogs can move, and they exhibit a goose-stepping gait, and when excited or running, their legs appear to be going in all directions. Some dogs have balancing problems and will fall frequently. For the cerebellum to control a dog’s movement, it needs to get feedback from the muscles via the spine. Abnormal changes in the dog’s spinal cord prevent feedback from the muscles to the brain. Dogs normally develop during the first few months of life. Ataxia begins to develop at about 2-6 months of age. There is no successfully treatment for this progressive and irreversible disease.
Breeds exposed to Spinocerebellar Degeneration – Research Reference
English Pointer Cross – (Badgley 2005)
English Pointer – (Badgley 2005)
Disease Author
Dr Merliza Cabriles, Professor of Veterinary Medicine
To learn more about Spinocerebellar Degeneration 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.
This information is accurate as at May 2014 and is subject to change without notice.
For Petmed Pet Health Insurance – pre-existing condition exclusion applies. Annual Benefit Limits and excess amounts vary based on pet health insurance plans.
