Demyelinating Polyneuropathy

Affected dogs often have megaesophagus leading to regurgitation and a quiet or silent bark. Other signs that are inconsistent between affected dogs include delayed reflexes in the limbs, muscle tremors, delayed ocular reflexes, exercise intolerance, and seizures.

Signs first develop between 3-18 months of age.

Genetic testing, blood work, radiographs, neurological tests, and clinical signs can be used to diagnose this condition.

There is no treatment for this condition, however the disease typically remains stable over the long term. Employing feeding measures commonly used for megaesophagus and treating signs of aspiration pneumonia lead to a better prognosis.

Talk to your vet about your dog’s demyelinating polyneuropathy result so you can plan appropriate monitoring and care.

Provide a calm environment with good traction and minimize strenuous activity to help your dog move safely and conserve energy.

If your dog has trouble swallowing or is diagnosed with megaesophagus, feeding in an upright position using a special chair such as a Bailey chair can help reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia.

This mutation was first described in the Miniature Schnauzer.

Penetrance: This disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning that affected dogs must have two copies of the mutation to show clinical signs.

Gene

SBF2/MTRM13

Inheritance type

recessive

Clinical category

Neuromuscular

Citations

1. Granger et al 2019
2. Marine et al 2020

• Miniature Schnauzer