Hereditary Ataxia

Clinical signs include a lack of coordination, exaggerated movements, falling, and an inability to stand or walk without support. Tremors have also been reported.

Signs typically develop before two years of age.

Diagnosis includes genetic testing, a complete physical and neurological exam, and advanced imaging such as an MRI.

This condition cannot be treated and affected dogs often have a poor quality of life by four years of age.

Talk to your vet about your dog’s hereditary ataxia result so you can plan ongoing care and monitoring.

Watch for signs such as unsteady movement, tremors, or changes in balance and coordination, 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.

As this condition can progress over time, supportive care and a predictable routine can help keep your dog comfortable and engaged with their family.

This variant was first described in the Australian Shepherd.

Penetrance: This variant is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning a dog requires two copies of the variant to show signs of Hereditary Ataxia.

Gene

PNPLA8 Exon 3

Inheritance type

recessive

Clinical category

Neurologic

Citations

1. Abitbol et al 2022

• Australian Shepherd
• Australian Shepherd
• Miniature/MAS-type Australian Shepherd