Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome

Body function:

Muscle & Neurological

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Congenital myasthenic syndrome is a genetic disorder in the Old Danish Pointing Dog caused by a CHAT gene mutation. The condition affects the synthesis of a neurotransmitter used for muscle movements and causes temporary paralysis after exercise.

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List of affected breeds:

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

Old Danish Pointing Dog

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 congenital myasthenic syndrome. Dogs recover from episodes on their own.

Symptoms

Symptoms of the condition typically appear between 3 and 4 months of age. Dogs with congenital myasthenic syndrome experience sudden paralysis after exercising, typically somewhere between 5 and 30 minutes into playtime. After a short period of rest, dogs regain movement.

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