Product Description
Shaking Puppy Syndrome (SPS)
Shaking puppy syndrome or canine hypomyelination, also known or shaker puppy, is an inherited defect that results in delayed myelination of the nerves of the central nervous system. The disorder has an impact on the central or peripheral nervous system of the brain. Until today, hypomyelination has been described in several dog breeds. Between different dog breeds, genetic cause of hypomyelination varies. While in Springer spaniels the disorder is X linked, progressive and usually with a fatal outcome, in Weimaraners the disorder is autosomal recessive and the affected dog’s symptoms diminish with aging.
Myelin is a white substance that surrounds the axon of nerve cells and has an essential role for the proper functioning of the nervous system through promoting fast efficient conduction of signals down the nerve to the muscles to contract. Myelin enables fine muscle control and without it more precise muscle control is not possible. In the central nervous system myelin is made by cells called oligodendrocytes, whereas Schwann cells are responsible for myelin production in the peripheral nervous system. It is suspected that abnormal oligodendrocyte development or function causes hypomyelination in the Weimaraner breed. Examinations of the affected puppy show drop of number of oligodendrocytes.
Symptoms an Characteristics
When born, puppies appear as normal until the manifestation of first symptoms at 1-2 weeks of age, but exact age of onset can vary among dogs. Affected puppies begin to show tremors, especially in the hind legs. More severely affected puppies may have trouble nursing due to their tremors. After the nursing period, affected puppy will need to be fed alone, away from competition and pushing by the other puppies and often they will require help while eating. Shaking episodes appear more severe during excitement or exercise and will decrease when the puppy is less active.
Genetics
Canine hypomyelination or the shaking puppy syndrome is caused by a mutation in the gene encoding folliculin-interacting protein 2 (FNIP2), protein expressed in both neurons and oligodendrocytes. This mutation causes expression of truncated protein which is unfunctional and results in hypomyelination.
Canine hypomyelination or the shaking puppy syndrome is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Healthy parents of an affected puppy are obligate heterozygotes, and therefore carry one mutant allele. Heterozygotes have no symptoms. Dogs homozygous for the mutation will display the symptoms of the canine hypomyelination. At conception, when mating two carrier dogs, 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.