Disease Description: This is a slowly progressive disorder in which swellings (spheroids) develop and accumulate along axons throughout the brain and spinal cord. Axons are the parts of the nerve cells along which impulses travel, and so this condition results in abnormal conduction of nervous impulses, and associated clinical signs such as a high-stepping gait and lack of coordination.

Inherit Mode: Inheritance is believed to be autosomal recessive.

Disease Symptom: Clinical signs are usually first noticed around a year of age, although owners of affected dogs may feel that their puppy was unusually clumsy. Signs seen with this disorder include an awkward or high-stepping gait, poor coordination, and development of a head tremor, all of which gradually worsen over several years. Dogs do not lose their strength over this time.

Disease Cause: -

Disease Diagnose: Diagnosis is made based on breed (rottweiler), clinical signs, and the absence of abnormalities on other diagnostic tests.

Treat Method: There is no treatment. However because the disorder progresses slowly, affected dogs can often function acceptably for many years.

Breeder Advice: Affected dogs and their parents (carriers of the trait) should not be bred. The breeding of siblings (suspect carriers) should also be avoided. Unfortunately, due to its slowly progressive nature, the condition may not be diagnosed until breeding has already occurred.

Disease Description Source: Link