Canine Fucosidosis is a severe, progressive and ultimately fatal disease that affects the English Springer Spaniel. It is an inherited condition in the breed and has been reported in the UK, Europe and Australia. It is inherited through an autosomal recessive trait.
The disease affects young adults, usually between 18 months and 4 years of age, and is characterised by nervous signs that progress over a period of several months. These signs include inco-ordination and ataxia (loss of control of movement), change in temperament, loss of learned behaviour, loss of balance, apparent deafness, visual impairment and varying degrees of depression.
The inco-ordination and ataxia affects all four legs and is mostly evident when affected animals are walking on slippery surfaces or attempt more complicated movements such as turning. In addition, affected dogs lose weight and may suffer from swallowing difficulties and sometimes regurgitation of food.