Alexander Disease

Puppies are weak to nearly paralyzed. They characteristically display spastic front limbs (known as "swimming puppy syndrome").

Signs develop in puppies.

Genetic testing, clinical signs, laboratory tests, and advanced imaging may all be used to diagnose this disorder.

Alexander disease is currently untreatable, with owners typically opting to euthanize weeks to months after symptoms arise.

Talk to your vet about your dog’s Alexander disease result so you can plan ongoing care and monitoring, especially during early development.

Watch for early signs such as changes in coordination, weakness, or difficulty walking, and contact your vet if you notice any of these.

Keep your dog’s environment calm and consistent. Use rugs or mats to prevent slipping and help them move safely around the home.

Provide gentle comfort and enrichment, such as short periods of supervised play or simple food-based activities, to help them stay engaged without overexertion.

This mutation was first described in the Labrador Retriever.

Penetrance: This mutation is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, meaning that one or two copies of this gene will cause the disorder.

Gene

GFAP (Exon 4)

Inheritance type

dominant

Clinical category

Neurologic

Citations

1. Van Poucke et al 2015

• English Labrador Retriever
• Labrador Retriever