Cerebellar Ataxia

Body function:

Muscle & Neurological

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Cerebellar ataxia is a genetic disease. In Belgian Shepherds, it is caused by a mutation in the KCNJ10 gene. It affects a dog’s potassium production, leading to central nervous system dysfunction. Dogs with the condition struggle with movement and coordination and often have a poor quality of life.

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List of affected breeds:

Genetic research has linked this gene and condition in the following breeds:

Belgian Malinois

A black and white dog with a happy expression is looking up at the camera with its mouth open. The dog's ears are perked up, and it appears to be excited.

What does this mean for a dog with this trait?

There is no known cure for cerebellar ataxia. Dogs with the condition are often compassionately euthanized by 6 months of age.

Symptoms

Symptoms of cerebellar ataxia typically present in the first 2 months of life and include extreme difficulty with balance and movement. Dogs lack control over their legs, causing them to stumble, stagger, fall, and experience tremors.

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