Ataxia - Whats causes it

Has anyone ever had their dog experience ataxia? According to the vet ataxia is sudden uncoordinated walking, or as she put it "drunken pirate walking"

My dog was outta of it last night, and then this morning he was full of energy

 

ATAXIA (NCL-A) :Cerrebellar Cortical Degeneration:



Ataxia, There Is No Cure:



Ataxia is a hereditary neurological disorder

EXAMPLES: Inheritance of the Ataxia Gene in a Litter of 100 Puppies:





<table style="width: 98%;" border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="98%"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0cm; width: 7%;" vAlign="top" width="7%">1.


</td><td style="padding: 0cm; width: 193%;" width="193%">Inheritance of the Ataxia Gene when 1 carrier and 1 clear are mated.
50% will be clear.
50% will be carriers.



</td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 0cm; width: 7%;" vAlign="top" width="7%">2.


</td><td style="padding: 0cm; width: 193%;" vAlign="top" width="193%">Inheritance of the Ataxia Gene when 2 carriers are mated.
25% will be clear.
50% will be carriers.
25% will be affected.



</td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 0cm; width: 7%;" vAlign="top" width="7%">3.


</td><td style="padding: 0cm; width: 193%;" width="193%">Inheritance of the Ataxia Gene when 1 affected and 1 carrier are mated.
50% will be carriers.
50% will be affected.



</td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 0cm; width: 7%;" vAlign="top" width="7%">4.


</td><td style="padding: 0cm; width: 193%;" width="193%">Inheritance of the Ataxia gene when 1 affected and 1 clear are mated.
100% will be carriers.




</td></tr></tbody></table>
When a breeder mates two dogs together that have been certified clear of Ataxia, the offspring are automatically clear of Ataxia by Parentage. If a breeder mates any of other combinations together then the offspring will need to be tested also.

 

It is neurological disorder that is inherited. It is nothing to be taken lightly. A horrible disease. Any dog should be culled from any breeding program. The symptoms and episodes will get worse. If your vet is acting as though its nothing to worry about then find another vet.

 

when tooken to the vet last night, she cleared him medically. she said all his levels were normal. i will ask the breeder today. im hoping it was just a one time thing. when my pup was at the vet, he didnt show the signs he showed at home.

 

thanx for the info

 

get the pup tested , if he has ataxia (2 abnormal genes) you will end up putting him to sleep at a young age
if he is a carrier (1 abnormal gene) , he will not get ataxia, do not breeed hem

http://www.antagene.com/en
http://www.optigen.com/opt9_cerebellarataxia_amstaff.html

 

the vet also said the symptoms could be ingestion of a toxin, low blood sugar, and other diseases. im scheduling him an appointment to have some blood work done. they made him vomit last night, and they found some styrofoam and some blades of grass and dog food. this morning like i said, he was lively, full of energy, running around.

 

There is a test now for ataxia.

 

How old is the dog?

Ataxic/Ataxia is a medical term to describe the "drunken walk", ataxic gait is loss of the ability to coordinate muscular movement.

And not to be confused with the medical/hereditary disease cerebellar ataxia. So don't freak out yet. She was describing his walk.

For a dog to present with an ataxic gait could mean a few things. Like the vet said low blood sugar, toxicity, Postictal (state following a seizure) , and also other diseases.

Also depending on the age of your dog also broadens then possible issues.

Start with a full bloodwork panel. The process of diagnosis at times is a process of elimination.

Good luck!

 

Bloodwork is the next step. He is only a puppy not even 3 months old. And he has a thing with playing and chewing grass. how do i get him to stop. He pulls n plays with it. Normal behavior?

 

http://www.optigen.com/opt9_cerebellarataxia_amstaff.html

DNA test for ataxia. Onset is usually in adulthood.

 

Pups at that age put anything in their mouths. When he is doing it just redirect him to an appropriate toy.

Again while people are providing you information regarding the genetic disease. At this age it is most likely something else. As I said the Vet was describing his walk at presentation.

You can follow up with your vet. And getting the genetic test is an option among other tests if he presents with the ataxic gait.