Glycogen Storage Disease Type IIIA, GSD IIIA
Glycogen is the form in which our bodies store sugar: they are long, complex molecules that are primarily stored in the liver, heart, kidney, and muscle and are those tissues’ primary source of energy. In GSDs, glycogen accumulates to abnormal levels leading to enlargement and malfunction of these vital organs. Dogs with Type III GSD show milder signs as puppies including lower energy levels and poor weight gain.
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Signs and symptoms
Affected dogs have "failure to thrive" including poor growth, lethargy, and mildly low blood sugars. They may be exercise intolerant and experience episodes of collapse.
Signs appear around 14 months of age. -
Diagnosis
Genetic and laboratory testing, including liver biopsy, are used to diagnose this disease.
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Treatment
There is no treatment except supportive care for the clinical signs the affected dog develops.
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What to do if your dog is at risk
Actions
- Regulate the amount of activity affected dogs perform to prevent the most severe symptoms of this disease.
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Genetic Information
This mutation was first described in Curly Coated Retrievers.
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 names:
AGL (GDE) ‐ chr
Inheritance type:
recessive
Citations:
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Breeds affected
This health condition affects the following breeds
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