Neuroaxonal Dystrophy (NAD)

Neuroaxonal Dystrophy is an uncharacterized juvenile-onset genetic disorder that affect Spanish Water Dogs. Affected dogs exhibits various neurological deficits including gait abnormalities and behavioral deficits.

Symptoms include slowly progressing neurological signs starting between six and eleven months of age. Owners of affected dogs reported gait abnormalities, behavioral changes (dullness, nervousness, vocalization) and incontinence alone or in combination with uncontrolled defecation. Mild head tilt, generalized mild cerebellar ataxia with hypermetria of the thoracic limbs and absent to depressed patellar reflexed. Additionally, affected dogs displayed varying degrees of compulsory pacing, proprioceptive deficits, decreased menace, visual deficits, positional nystagmus and decreased muscle tone.

In Spanish Water dog the disease is caused by a mutation in the TECPR2 gene.

In Papillon, the disease is caused by a mutation in the PLA2G6 gene.

Sample requirement: Whole blood in EDTA Blood tube (0.5 – 1 ml) or Buccal Swabs. (EDTA Blood Tube and Buccal Swab will be provided to you free of charge)

Turnaround: 2-3 weeks