What are the signs & symptoms that develop in affected dogs?

Signs of cerebellar disease include dogs having an uncoordinated gait (ataxia) with stilted "toy soldier" leg movements. They can display "intention tremors," where a stretched-out limb or head shakes more and more violently as it approaches its target. At rest, dogs sometimes display a "truncal sway;" their spinal muscles have lost their fine-tuning, pulling the spine (and everything attached to it) back and forth in a struggle to maintain balance. Affected puppies may also show elevated muscle tone and a reduced swallowing reflex.

How do vets diagnose this condition?

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. Additionally, affected dogs have a low selenium level.

How is this condition treated?

There is no treatment for this disorder. Quality of life should be considered as the affected puppies in the literature were euthanized at an early age. However, one dog was found with this condition and was ten years old at the time of publication.

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Hereditary Cerebellar Ataxia

Brain and Spinal Cord

This disorder impacts the cerebellum, which helps fine-tune movement, balance, and coordination. When it doesn’t function properly, dogs may appear unsteady, uncoordinated, or have trouble with precise movements.

Signs and symptoms

Signs of cerebellar disease include dogs having an uncoordinated gait (ataxia) with stilted "toy soldier" leg movements. They can display "intention tremors," where a stretched-out limb or head shakes more and more violently as it approaches its target. At rest, dogs sometimes display a "truncal sway;" their spinal muscles have lost their fine-tuning, pulling the spine (and everything attached to it) back and forth in a struggle to maintain balance. Affected puppies may also show elevated muscle tone and a reduced swallowing reflex.

Signs can first be seen at only a few weeks of age.

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Diagnosis

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. Additionally, affected dogs have a low selenium level.
Treatment

There is no treatment for this disorder. Quality of life should be considered as the affected puppies in the literature were euthanized at an early age. However, one dog was found with this condition and was ten years old at the time of publication.
What to do if your dog is at risk

Actions
- 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.
Genetic Information

This variant was first described in the Belgian Shepherd.

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

Gene names:

SELENOP ‐ chr

Inheritance type:

recessive

Citations:

Christen et al 2021
Breeds affected
This health condition affects the following breeds

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