Disease overview

Sensory neuropathy is an early-onset disease that causes degeneration of the sensory and motor nerve cells in the body.

Gene name

FAM134B/RETREG-1

Inheritance

Autosomal recessive

Signs and symptoms

Clinical signs of this disease start between two and seven months of age and can include progressive proprioceptive ataxia with intermittent knuckling of the paws, hyperextension of the limbs, and self-mutilation wounds in the distal part of the limbs. Typically, thoracic limbs are less severly affected than the pelvic limbs. The patient can present with decreased proprioception and nociception, as well as urinary incontinence.

How is it diagnosed

A veterinarian will conduct a thorough exam, including a review of health history and any clinical signs. Neurological tests, including imaging, may be required for a definitive diagnosis. Genetic testing is necessary to determine if there is an underlying genetic cause, which can assist veterinarians with diagnosis.

Breeds at higher risk

, Mixed breeds

Citations

Forman OP, Hitti RJ, Pettitt L, Jenkins CA, O'Brien DP, Shelton GD, De Risio L, Quintana RG, Beltran E, Mellersh C. An Inversion Disrupting FAM134B Is Associated with Sensory Neuropathy in the Border Collie Dog Breed. G3 (Bethesda). 2016 Sep 8;6(9):2687-92. doi: 10.1534/g3.116.027896. PMID: 27527794; PMCID: PMC5015927.

Amengual-Batle P, Rusbridge C, José-López R, Golini L, Shelton GD, Mellersh CS, Gutierrez-Quintana R. Two mixed breed dogs with sensory neuropathy are homozygous for an inversion disrupting FAM134B previously identified in Border Collies. J Vet Intern Med. 2018 Nov;32(6):2082-2087. doi: 10.1111/jvim.15312. Epub 2018 Oct 11. PMID: 30307654; PMCID: PMC6272042.

Disclaimer

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