Neuroaxonal Dystrophy is an juvenile-onset autosomal recessive genetic disorder that affects Spanish Water Dogs. The disease is caused by mutation in the TECPR2 gene.
Affected dogs exhibit various neurological deficits that present between 6-11 months of age and are slowing progressing.
Symptoms can include: gait abnormalities; behavioural changes such as dullness, nervousness, vocalisation; incontinence and uncontrolled defecation; mild head tilt; generalised mild cerebellar ataxia with hypermetria of the thoracic limbs and absent to depressed patellar reflexed.
Affected dogs may also display compulsory pacing, proprioceptive deficits, decreased menace, visual deficits, positional nystagmus and decreased muscle tone.
Genetic testing is available to identify clear, carrier and affected dogs.