Narcolepsy

Other than their irregular sleep cycles and tendency to collapse when excited, narcoleptic dogs are perfectly normal dogs.

Signs are first apparent between 1-6 months of age.

Genetic testing and clinical signs are used to diagnose this disease.

Affected dogs enjoy a normal lifespan and quality of life with no treatment.

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

Episodes often occur during excitement, play, or eating. Try to limit overstimulation and give your dog calm breaks throughout the day.

If your dog has an episode, make sure they are in a safe place where they won’t fall or get injured, and allow them to recover quietly.

Most dogs with narcolepsy live normal lives with a predictable routine and a calm, low-stress environment.

This mutation was first described in Doberman Pinschers.

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

HCRTR2

Inheritance type

recessive

Clinical category

Neurologic

Citations

1. Lin et al 1999

• Doberman Pinscher