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.

Border terrier. Limited data on carrier frequency in the general population.

- Generalized tremor of neonatal onset
- Ataxia and incoordination
- Deficient propulsion and abnormal ambulation
- Progressive course in young puppies

The syndrome was described in the Border terrier as a hereditary neurodegenerative entity of puppies (Martin-Vaquero et al., 2012). Clinical and pathological studies characterized the spongiform demyelination of the white matter; the molecular basis has not been identified.

- 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

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.

1. Martin-Vaquero P et al. 2012. A novel spongiform leukoencephalomyelopathy in Border Terrier puppies. J Vet Intern Med. PMID: 22269031