Glossopharyngeal Defect, Microglossia in Dogs

Microglossia ("small tongue"), also known as bird tongue, is a hereditary defect in dogs resulting in a small, narrow, curled tongue that is ineffective for nursing. The mode of inheritance is believed to be autosomal-recessive. The defect affect only dogs. Signs are often similar to those seen in "fading puppy syndrome." Puppies have no interest in suckling. Affected puppies often are unable to swallow when milk is placed on their tongues and cannot be taught to do so. As a consequence, the puppies die of starvation. With intensive nursing care, puppies may survive up to seven weeks of age, but other abnormalities far beyond the tongue problem became evident as they aged including neural, musculoskeletal, and ocular manifestations. The initial diagnosis of the tongue abnormality is only a part of a complicated, multisystem syndrome. There is no treatment for this condition; euthanasia is usually recommended out of concern of quality of life.

This inherited defect has been reported in Miniature Schnauzers,

Adapted from:
1. Blackwell's Five Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion. Heidi B. Lobprise
2. Genetics for Dog Breeders. Roy Robinson
3. Microglossia in three littermate puppies. Wiggs RB, Lobprise HB, de Lahunta A. In: J Vet Dent. 1994 Dec;11(4):129-33.
4. Veterinary Dentistry. Robert B. Wiggs, Heidi B. Lobprise