- Type Disease
Skin
- Name
Acral Mutilation Syndrome
- Abbreviation
AMSx
- Description
This is a bizarre syndrome in which dogs lose pain sensation in their toes. This is due to abnormal development and slowly progressive degeneration after birth of the sensory neurons in the spinal cord and in peripheral nerves.\n\nAffected dogs initially chew at their feet but eventually will do extensive damage.
- How Transferred
This condition is believed to be autosomal recessive.
- What to Look for
Affected pups usually begin to bite and lick their feet at 3 to 5 months of age, and have no temperature or pain sensation in the toes and sometimes up the legs. The hind legs are most severely affected.\nYour dog's toes and feet will become swollen and ulcerated. S/he will continue to walk without any apparent discomfort on the mutilated feet.\nUnfortunately attempts to prevent further mutilation are generally unsuccessful.
- Diagnosis
The diagnosis can usually be made based on distinctive clinical signs in a young dog of a typical breed. More than one pup in a litter may be affected. Electromyography will give a definitive diagnosis by revealing an absence of normal nerve potentials in your dog.\nDiagnosis can also be made at necropsy, based on the characteristic changes in the nervous system.
- Treatment
Unfortunately there is no treatment. Attempts to prevent mutilation through the use of bandages, collars or sedation are unsuccessful and, as the mutilation worsens, owners generally request euthanasia.
- Veterinarian Information
These dogs have paronychia and may have auto amputation of the toes. Proprioception is normal, other reflexes are intact. EMG shows no denervation potentials.
- Breeding Considerations
here is no test for carriers of this disorder. Parents and siblings of affected dogs should not be used for breeding.
- Known Breeds Affected
German shorthaired pointer\nPointer (English pointer)
