Spongiform Leukoencephalomyelopathy
Spongiform leukoencephalopathy is a generalized progressive degenerative vacuolation of white matter of the brain and spinal cord.
Age of Onset: 2-9 weeks 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:
Behavioral/Mental Awareness
Seizures
Movement
Generalized whole-body tremors (worse in the pelvic limbs)
Ataxia
Paresis to paralysis
Limb spasticity
Rocking horse (side-to-side swaying) movement of the pelvic limbs
Proprioception
Proprioceptive deficits
Cranial Nerves
Absent menace response
Cranial nerve dysfunction (dropped jaw, hypoglossal dysfunction, nystagmus)
Vision and audition remain intact
Special Functions (e.g. respiration; urination)
Dysphagia
Excessive salivation
Other
Failure to grow
Behavioral/Mental Awareness
Seizures
Movement
Generalized whole-body tremors (worse in the pelvic limbs)
Ataxia
Paresis to paralysis
Limb spasticity
Rocking horse (side-to-side swaying) movement of the pelvic limbs
Proprioception
Proprioceptive deficits
Cranial Nerves
Absent menace response
Cranial nerve dysfunction (dropped jaw, hypoglossal dysfunction, nystagmus)
Vision and audition remain intact
Special Functions (e.g. respiration; urination)
Dysphagia
Excessive salivation
Other
Failure to grow
DIffuse to mutlifocal CNS (White matter of the brain and spinal cord)
Autosomal recessive inheritance
For breed specific genetic testing follow the link(s) below:
https://ofa.org/spongiform-leukoencephalomyelopathy/
https://btcoa.org/slem-dna-test/
https://www.cagt.co.uk/product/slem/
For breed specific genetic testing follow the link(s) below:
https://ofa.org/spongiform-leukoencephalomyelopathy/
https://btcoa.org/slem-dna-test/
https://www.cagt.co.uk/product/slem/
To read more about this disease click below:
