Test Detail
Spongiform leukoencephalomyelopathy (SLEM) of the Border terrier
Neurological · Dog
Spongiform leukoencephalomyelopathy described in Border terrier puppies, also known as 'shaking puppy syndrome' due to the characteristic generalized tremor. It manifests in the neonatal period with spongy degeneration of the white matter of the central nervous system. Autosomal recessive inheritance is suspected.
Incidence
Border terrier. Limited data on carrier frequency in the general population.
Breeder management
- Monitor litters with a history of affected puppies
- Do not repeat matings that have produced affected puppies
- Identify carrier breeding dogs in suspected lines when a genetic test is available
- Avoid matings between individuals from affected lines
- Exclude affected animals from breeding
- Do not repeat matings that have produced affected puppies
- Identify carrier breeding dogs in suspected lines when a genetic test is available
- Avoid matings between individuals from affected lines
- Exclude affected animals from breeding
Specialist notes
Differential diagnosis with other neonatal tremor syndromes (hypomyelination, hereditary tremor of other breeds) and with leukoencephalomyelopathies of other breeds. Histopathology of the central nervous system is diagnostic.
References
1. Martin-Vaquero P et al. 2012. A novel spongiform leukoencephalomyelopathy in Border Terrier puppies. J Vet Intern Med. PMID: 22269031