Disease Description: This inherited disease is caused by the lack of a single specific protein (dystrophin) which is normally found in muscle fibres. This disease is similar to Duchenne muscular dystrophy in humans.

Inherit Mode: The trait is sex-linked. This means that it is carried by females (clinically unaffected) whose male offspring will have a 50 per cent chance of developing the disease.

Disease Symptom: Unfortunately this is a severe, debilitating,progressive disease.It may progress rapidly or more slowly, and your dog will graduallybecome weaker and moredebilitated. There is no specific treatment or cure.

Disease Cause: -

Disease Diagnose: Your veterinarian will suspect this disease if youryoung pupexhibits a combination of the following clinical signs: generalizedmuscle weakness andatrophy, exercise intolerance, abnormal gait, excessive drooling,abnormal spinalcurvature. This diagnosis can be confirmed with blood tests (to lookfor elevated muscleenzymes), muscle biopsy, electromyography, and a neurological exam.

Treat Method: There is no cure or specific treatment for thisdisease. Some of theclinical signs may be treated with drugs, and physiotherapy may alsobe helpful.

Breeder Advice: Affected dogs should not be bred. The mother ofany affected dog isa carrier of the condition and should not be used for breedingpurposes.

Disease Description Source: Link