Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hereditary ataxia causes behavior and vision changes in smooth-haired
By Rohdin, C et al.·Published in The Veterinary record·2010·Albano Small Animal Hospital·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: New aspects of hereditary ataxia in smooth-haired fox terriers.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Three smooth-haired fox terrier puppies from Sweden were diagnosed with hereditary ataxia, a condition that affects coordination and movement. The puppies showed behavioral changes and decreased responses to visual threats, which are signs of brain involvement. This diagnosis is significant as it marks the first known cases in this breed in 25 years. Researchers found that these puppies share a common ancestor, a female dog born in 1951, suggesting a hereditary link to the disease.
People also search for: smooth-haired fox terrier ataxia symptoms · puppy coordination problems · hereditary ataxia in dogs
Abstract
Hereditary ataxia was diagnosed in three smooth-haired fox terrier puppies from Sweden, 25 years after the previous known case in the breed. In addition to the characteristic spinal cord pathology, brain involvement was evident clinically, in the form of behavioural changes and bilaterally decreased menace responses, and histopathologically, with degenerative changes in the brainstem. The striking similarities to hereditary ataxia in the Jack Russell terrier suggest the same disease process in both breeds. A common ancestor, a female dog born in 1951 and considered a carrier of the disease at that time, was found in both the maternal and paternal lines of the three puppies.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20435980/