Cerebellar Abiotrophy
Coordination of movement is governed by the portion of the brain called cerebellum. An animal with cerebellar disease can move voluntarily and the movements are strong, but they are jerky and often excessive. The animal may sway when standing, stagger and fall, pick its feet up too high when walking (high-stepping), and quickly bob its head up and down when attempting to eat.
Cerebellar abiotrophy is a degenerative condition of the cerebellum that produces progressively worsening clinical signs. Abiotrophy literally means loss of vital nutritional substances. The cerebellar nerve cells form in a normal fashion, only to degenerate and die prematurely due to loss of vital substance necessary for continued life of the nerve cells.
Signs of Cerebellar Abiotrophy
Signs have been well characterized in many breeds and
are those of the degenerative cerebellar disease: inability to control the distance, power and speed of movement; overreaching a desired object, and lack of menace response. Neurological signs are not seen immediately after birth and become apparent at a few weeks to a few months of age, progressing either slowly or rapidly, progressively disabling the dog.
Diagnosis & Treatment of Cerebellar Abiotrophy
Causes are unknown. A diagnosis of cerebellar abiotrophy is usually suspected when there is progressive neurological dysfunction. There is no treatment for this disorder.
This disorder is suspected to be inherited in several breeds, including:
References:
1. Fundamentals of Veterinary Clinical Neurology by Rodney Bagley
2. Clinical Medicine of the Dog and Cat by Michael Schaer
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