Hereditary Polyneuropathy/Neuropathy
Hereditary polyneuropathy is an idiopathic degeneration of nerves often characterized by axonal degeneration and hypomyelination.
Age of Onset: 7-18 months of age
Sex Predisposition: Any sex of animal can be affected
Clinical Course:
Clinical signs worsen over time
Clinical signs worsen over time
Clinical Signs:
Movement
Collapse
Progressive paraparesis to tetraparesis
Bunny-hopping gait
Inability to walk up stairs or jump
Difficulty standing
Proprioception
Proprioceptive deficits
Spinal Reflexes
Decreased spinal reflexes
Reduced appendicular muscle tone
Special Functions (e.g. respiration; urination)
Exercise intolerance
Inspiratory stridor
Megaesophagus
Muscle Atrophy
General muscle atrophy (greater in the distal appendicular muscles)
Atrophy of muscles of mastication (CN V) and glossal muscles (CN XII)
Other
Abnormal vocalization
Paraspinal hyperesthesia
Movement
Collapse
Progressive paraparesis to tetraparesis
Bunny-hopping gait
Inability to walk up stairs or jump
Difficulty standing
Proprioception
Proprioceptive deficits
Spinal Reflexes
Decreased spinal reflexes
Reduced appendicular muscle tone
Special Functions (e.g. respiration; urination)
Exercise intolerance
Inspiratory stridor
Megaesophagus
Muscle Atrophy
General muscle atrophy (greater in the distal appendicular muscles)
Atrophy of muscles of mastication (CN V) and glossal muscles (CN XII)
Other
Abnormal vocalization
Paraspinal hyperesthesia
Peripheral nerve/neuromuscular
Autosomal recessive mutation in NDRG1 gene
For breed specific genetic tests, follow the links below:
https://canine-genetics.umn.edu/canine-genetic-testing/alaskan-malamute-polyneuropathy
https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/alaskan-malamute-polyneuropathy
For breed specific genetic tests, follow the links below:
https://canine-genetics.umn.edu/canine-genetic-testing/alaskan-malamute-polyneuropathy
https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/alaskan-malamute-polyneuropathy
To read more about this disease click below:
