PAROXYSMAL DYSKINESIA (PXD)
Description:
The research team at the University of Missouri Animal Molecular Genetic Lab has been studying a rare neurologic disease of Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers that can be clinically classified as a paroxysmal dyskinesia (PxD). The researchers are currently referring to the disease as Wheaten Paroxysmal Dyskinesia (or WPxD). Veterinary Neurologist, Dr Dennis O’Brien, has described WPxD as an autosomal recessive, hereditary movement disorder. Signs typically begin between 8 months and 3 years of age and consist of episodes of abnormal tone or movement affecting one or more limbs. The hind limbs are most commonly affected but front limbs can also be involved. In a mild episode, the dog may just have an exaggerated flexion of one hind limb as it walks. Other times, it may have a stiff, stilted gait with a hunch-backed or twisted spine. In a more severe episode, there is repeated, irregular flexion and extension of the limbs and the dog may be unable to stand. In contrast to seizures, the dogs do not lose consciousness during an episode. Episodes can occur several times a day, and the length of the episodes can vary from minutes to hours. Between episodes the dogs can appear normal.
