Disease overview

Narcolepsy is a neurologic condition that leads to interrupted sleep cycles and lethargy during the day. This is a hereditary condition caused by a mutation in a gene that responds to a transmitter that regulates appetite, arousal, and wakefulness.

Gene name

HCRTR2

Inheritance

Autosomal recessive

Signs and symptoms

Affected dogs will present with daytime sleepiness and fragmented sleep cycles. They may suddenly collapse from a complete loss of muscle tone, especially when excited and displaying strong, positive emotions. Signs typically appear between 1-6 months of age.

How is it diagnosed

A veterinarian will conduct a thorough exam, including a review of health history and any clinical signs. Genetic testing is necessary to determine if there is an underlying genetic cause, which can assist veterinarians with diagnosis and help breeders identify affected and carrier dogs.

Breeds at higher risk

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Citations

Hungs M, Fan J, Lin L, Lin X, Maki RA, Mignot E. Identification and functional analysis of mutations in the hypocretin (orexin) genes of narcoleptic canines. Genome Res. 2001 Apr;11(4):531-9. doi: 10.1101/gr.gr-1610r. PMID: 11282968.

Foutz AS, Mitler MM, Cavalli-Sforza LL, Dement WC. Genetic factors in canine narcolepsy. Sleep. 1979 Summer;1(4):413-21. doi: 10.1093/sleep/1.4.413. PMID: 574310.

Mondino A, Delucchi L, Moeser A, Cerdá-González S, Vanini G. Sleep Disorders in dogs: A Pathophysiological and Clinical Review. Top Companion Anim Med. 2021 Jun;43:100516. doi: 10.1016/j.tcam.2021.100516. Epub 2021 Feb 6. PMID: 33556640.

Lin L, Faraco J, Li R, Kadotani H, Rogers W, Lin X, Qiu X, de Jong PJ, Nishino S, Mignot E. The sleep disorder canine narcolepsy is caused by a mutation in the hypocretin (orexin) receptor 2 gene. Cell. 1999 Aug 6;98(3):365-76. doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(00)81965-0. PMID: 10458611.

Reilly CE. I. Mutation in the hypocretin (orexin) receptor 2 gene causes canine narcolepsy. J Neurol. 1999 Oct;246(10):985-6. doi: 10.1007/s004150050501. PMID: 10552257.

Disclaimer

Disease diagnosis and treatment should always be performed by a veterinarian. The following information is for educational purposes only.