Neonatal Encephalopathy with Seizures, NEWS

Affected puppies are often underweight from birth and require intensive nursing care. They can develop cerebellar signs (uncoordinated, difficulty with movement) and seizures.

Signs develop between 4-6 weeks of age.

Unless a genetic basis is suspected due to the age, breed, or history of the dog, diagnostics must be performed to rule out infectious, inflammatory, or neoplastic causes.

Currently there is no treatment for NEWS. Due to the severity of their neurologic signs, NEWS puppies do not survive to adulthood.

Talk to your vet about your dog’s NEWS result so they can help guide care and monitoring.

Signs such as weakness, tremors, or seizures usually appear within the first few days of life.

Affected puppies may need help nursing, staying warm, and maintaining hydration.

Sadly, this condition is often severe and rapidly progressive, but your vet can help ensure your puppy remains as comfortable as possible.

This mutation was first described in Poodles.

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

ATF2

Inheritance type

recessive

Clinical category

Neurologic

Citations

1. Chen et al 2008

• Poodle (Standard)
• Poodle (Miniature)
• Poodle (Small)
• Poodle (Toy)
• Poodle
• Shihpoo
• St. Berdoodle
• Whoodle
• Yorkipoo