Polyneuropathy - Greyhounds

Polyneuropathy in Greyhounds is one of several known canine hereditary neuropathies. Juvenile form of polyneuropathy in Greyhound show dogs becomes clinically apparent between three to nine months of age. After clinical signs appear, none of the animals survive longer than ten months.

In the early stages of the disease clinical signs include exercise intolerance and walking difficulties such as high stepping gait and bunny hopping. In the later stages, the disease is characterized by severe muscle atrophy, ataxia and dysphonia. Neurological signs of affected dogs are progressive ataxia and tetraparesis, hyporeflexia, distal limb muscle atrophy, and inspiratory stridor.

Inheritance: autosomal recessive

Mutation: NDRG1 gene

Genetic test: The method used for testing is extremely accurate and allows complete differentiation between affected animals, carriers and healthy dogs. Testing can be done at any age.