A hypomyelinating leukodystrophy in German Shepherd dogs.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Shaking puppy syndrome is commonly attributed to abnormal myelination of the central nervous system.

Hypothesis/objectives

To report the long-term clinical course and the imaging characteristics of hypomyelinating leukodystrophy in German Shepherd dogs.

Animals and methods

Three related litters with 11 affected dogs.

Results

The 11 affected dogs experienced coarse, side-to-side tremors of the head and trunk, which interfered with normal goal-oriented movements and disappeared at rest. Signs were noticed shortly after birth. Nine dogs were euthanized, 3 dogs underwent pathological examination, and 2 littermates were raised by their breeder. Tremors improved gradually until 6 to 7 months of age. Adult dogs walked with severe residual pelvic limb ataxia

SUBMITTER: Quitt PR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8163122 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature