Canine Multiple System Degeneration (Kerry Blue Terrier Type)
Affected Genes: SERAC1
Inheritance: Autosomal Recessive
Variant(canFam6):
chr1:48449096
Breed: Kerry Blue Terrier
General Information: Canine Multiple System Degeneration (CMSD) found in Kerry Blue Terriers manifests as a severe neurological disorder that becomes apparent when puppies are between 3 to 6 months old. Initial symptoms include tremors, an abnormal gait, and poor balance, which progressively worsen to include severe gait abnormalities, significant balance issues, frequent falling, unusual body posture, and abnormal eye movements. Despite these debilitating physical symptoms, affected dogs maintain normal mental awareness and social behaviors. The disease usually progresses rapidly, and due to complications related to immobility and its impact on quality of life, many affected dogs are humanely euthanized by the age of 2 years.
How to Read Your Dog's Test Results for this Genetic Variant:
Two Variants Detected: Dog Likely Affected
One Variant Detected: Dog Unlikely Affected
No Variants Detected: No Effect
Gene / Testing Information: Genetic testing for the SERAC1 gene can identify the variant for Canine Multiple System Degeneration (CMSD). This autosomal recessive disorder requires two copies of the mutated gene for a dog to be affected. Carrier dogs typically do not show symptoms, but breeding two carriers can produce affected pups, with each pup having a 25% chance of developing the disease. Genetic testing is essential for informed breeding practices to prevent the mutation. Breeding of two carrier dogs is not recommended.Non-carrier dogs have no increased risk of producing affected pups from this known variant.
References:
Johnson GS, Mhlanga-Mutangadura T, Morava E, Kozicz T, Taylor JF, O’Brien DP, Schnabel RD. Canine Multiple System Degeneration is Associated with Distinct SERAC1 Mutations in Two Different Dog Breeds [abstract]. Presented at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics in Boston, Massachusetts; 2013 Oct 22-26.
Stee K, Van Poucke M, Lowrie M, Van Ham L, Peelman L, Olby N, and Bhatti SFM. Phenotypic and genetic aspects of hereditary ataxia in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2023 37(4):1306–1322.