Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VII, Sly Syndrome, MPS VII

Puppies display severe skeletal abnormalities, have large heads with short muzzles, broad faces, and such crooked legs that they cannot walk.

Signs are apparent at 4-8 weeks of age and affected dogs are unable to walk by 5 months of age

Clinical signs and genetic testing used to diagnose this disease.

There is no treatment except supportive care for the clinical signs the affected dog develops.

Talk to your vet about your dog’s mucopolysaccharidosis result so you can work together to plan ongoing care and monitoring.

Schedule regular checkups to monitor for changes in mobility, coordination, or behavior.

Work with your vet to provide supportive care that keeps your dog comfortable and helps them stay active and engaged.

Help your dog feel secure by keeping furniture in familiar places, using non-slip mats, and maintaining predictable daily routines.

This mutation was first described in German Shepherd x Beagle crosses.

Penetrance: This mutation is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner; that is, a dog requires two copies of the mutation to show signs of the disease.

Gene

GUSB

Inheritance type

recessive

Clinical category

Multisystem

Citations

1. Ray et al 1998

• Belgian Laekenois
• Belgian Malinois
• Belgian Malinois - Working Line
• Belgian Sheepdog
• Belgian Sheepdog - Working Line
• Belgian Shepherd
• Belgian Tervuren
• Belgian Tervuren - Working Line
• Berger Blanc Suisse
• Czechoslovakian Vlcak
• Dutch Shepherd
• German Shepherd Dog
• King Shepherd
• Saarloos Wolfdog
• Shiloh Shepherd
• White Shepherd