Product Description
Spinal dysraphism – Weimaraner type
Spinal dysraphism or myelodysplasia is an inherited neurological disorder characterized by spinal cord malformation that affects Weimaraner dog breed. The disorder is a part of a wider group of disorders, known as the neural tube defects (NTDs). The NTDs are a result of the abnormal embryonal development of the neural tube, which with further development becomes the spinal column. Except for the Weimaraner, the disorder has been diagnosed also in other dog breeds, such as the Dalmatian, Rottweiler, West Highland White Terrier, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, and Alaskan Malamute, but the causative mutation has been identified only in the Weimaraner, which enabled genetic testing for the disorder in this breed. Except for genetic cause, other forms of spinal dysraphism can be caused by infection, trauma or tumor that will cause spinal cord damage.
Characteristics and Symptoms
Neurulation is a process that forms the vertebrate nervous system during embryonal development. It is divided in two stages, primary and secondary neurulation. Improper processes during the primary neurulation usually lead to open form of NTDs, such as anencephaly and spina bifida.
Symptoms of spinal dysraphism usually become visible as puppy becomes mobile, which is usually between four and six weeks of age. Also, abnormal spinal reflexes may be noticed in the newborn puppies. In general, clinical symptoms include abnormal spinal reflexes, symmetrical bunny hopping gait, wide legged stance, overextended pelvic limbs, reduced proprioception, scoliosis, abnormal hair streams along the back and gutter-like depression in the chest.
For diagnostics of affected dogs, x-ray and cerebrospinal fluid analysis can be used.
Genetics
Spinal dysraphism in Weimaraners is caused by a frameshift mutation of the NKX2-8 gene. The disorder is inherited as an autosomal recessive disorder. A homozygous dog possesses two copies of the causative gene and is affected. Heterozygotes have no symptoms. At conception, each cub has a 25% chance of being affected, a 50% chance of being an asymptomatic carrier, and a 25% chance of being unaffected and not a carrier.
There have been reported cases of spinal dysraphism in Weimaraners with reduced penetrance, but there was no evidence for it within the recent research. The reason for this may be a possible second causative mutation within the breed, which may account for the previously reported inconsistent transmission.