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Spongy Degeneration with Cerebellar Ataxia (SDCA)

• Description
• Signalment
• Clinical Features
• Neurolocalization
• Genetics

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SDCA is an inherited neurodegenerative disease of Belgian Shepherd dogs that clinically manifests as cerebellar dysfunction in young dogs. Despite similarity in clinical signs to other hereditary ataxias seen in Malinois, SDCA has been noted to have distinct genetic markers that distinguish it from other cerebellar ataxias.

Age of Onset: 2-9 weeks of age

Sex Predisposition: Any sex of animal can be affected

Clinical Course:
​Clinical signs worsen over time

Clinical Signs:
Behavioral/Mental Awareness
Seizures

Posture/Appearance
Wide-based stance

Movement
Generalized whole body tremors
Ataxia
Paresis to paralysis
Limb spasticity
Intention tremor
Bunny-hopping gait

Cranial Nerves
Central blindness (absent menace response)​

Multi-focal: brainstem, cerebellum, and spinal cord

Autosomal recessive inheritance:
Spongy Degeneration with Cerebellar Ataxia 1 (SDCA1): KCNJ10 mutation
Spongy Degeneration with Cerebellar Ataxia 2 (SDCA2): ATP1B2 mutation

For breed specific genetic testing follow the links below: 
​Spongy Degeneration with Cerebellar Ataxia 1 (SDCA1):
https://embarkvet.com/products/dog-health/health-conditions/spongy-degeneration-with-cerebellar-ataxia-1-sdca1-sesame-east-syndrome/
https://www.gensoldx.com/tests/spongy-degeneration-with-cerebellar-ataxia-1-sdca1/
https://www.genomia.cz/en/test/sdca1/
​
​Spongy Degeneration with Cerebellar Ataxia 2 (SDCA2):  
https://www.wisdompanel.com/en-us/dog-health-conditions/sdca2
https://www.genomia.cz/en/test/sdca2/
https://embarkvet.com/products/dog-health/health-conditions/spongy-degeneration-with-cerebellar-ataxia-2-sdca2/

To read more about this disease click below:

References