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PCMom · 08-22-2005, 03:16 PM

Sushi's Mom, My Yorkie, Pepper, has what we think is called "Cerebellar Abiotrophy". I'll copy and paste what I have found about this illness below. I just wanted to say that first I hope and pray that Sushi doesn't have GME or any other terrible illness. And second, that I am praying for you both! Watching Pepper's illness progress the way it has breaks my heart because I know now that he has the 2nd type of CA. Pepper is now what I call "Dingy" (almost seems drunk, can't stand or sit without falling over, can't eat or drink without me holding him up, vomits at least once a day...and so on) or his back legs won't support him and keep collapsing on him for about 65% of the time. I will keep checking back to see how your Sushi is doing! Big love and Bigger hugs,

Kathy and Sir Pepper

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I finally found a clear description of what Pepper is going through!!! I am 99% sure this is what he has...

"What does cerebellar abiotrophy mean to your dog & you?

The cerebellum is the part of the brain that regulates the control and coordination of voluntary movement. The clinical signs of cerebellar dysfunction in affected dogs may include poor balance, a wide-based stance (feet planted far apart), stiff or high-stepping gait, apparent lack of awareness of where the feet are (standing or walking with a foot knuckled over), and head or body tremors. These signs worsen either quickly or slowly (see breed list above). Affected dogs may become unable to climb stairs or stand without support. They have normal mental alertness.

Where other regions of the brain are also affected, you may see signs such as behaviour change (loss of house training, aggression), confusion, blindness, and seizures.

How is cerebellar abiotrophy diagnosed?

This is a rare disorder. The clinical signs are suggestive of cerebellar disease, particularly if they are seen in a breed in which abiotrophy is known to occur. Your veterinarian will do tests to rule out other conditions that can cause similar signs.

For the veterinarian: Routine diagnostic tests are normal with this condition and a definitive diagnosis can only be made by brain biopsy or on post-mortem. MRI may be helpful in dogs in which there is gross cerebellar malformation; however generally with this condition, the cerebellum appears grossly normal. Histopathologic abnormalities are often minimal and do not seem to correlate with the severity of cerebellar signs. "
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There are 2 types of this illness. In the first the symptoms go to a certain point and stay there. In the second, the symptoms continue to get worse until the dog is crippled and the only kind thing to do is put him to sleep. There is no treatment that I have been able to find, and Peppers vet doesn't know of any. Kathy

08-22-2005, 03:16 PM	#11
PCMom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2005 Location: California Posts: 85	Sushi's Mom, My Yorkie, Pepper, has what we think is called "Cerebellar Abiotrophy". I'll copy and paste what I have found about this illness below. I just wanted to say that first I hope and pray that Sushi doesn't have GME or any other terrible illness. And second, that I am praying for you both! Watching Pepper's illness progress the way it has breaks my heart because I know now that he has the 2nd type of CA. Pepper is now what I call "Dingy" (almost seems drunk, can't stand or sit without falling over, can't eat or drink without me holding him up, vomits at least once a day...and so on) or his back legs won't support him and keep collapsing on him for about 65% of the time. I will keep checking back to see how your Sushi is doing! Big love and Bigger hugs, Kathy and Sir Pepper ** I finally found a clear description of what Pepper is going through!!! I am 99% sure this is what he has... "What does cerebellar abiotrophy mean to your dog & you? The cerebellum is the part of the brain that regulates the control and coordination of voluntary movement. The clinical signs of cerebellar dysfunction in affected dogs may include poor balance, a wide-based stance (feet planted far apart), stiff or high-stepping gait, apparent lack of awareness of where the feet are (standing or walking with a foot knuckled over), and head or body tremors. These signs worsen either quickly or slowly (see breed list above). Affected dogs may become unable to climb stairs or stand without support. They have normal mental alertness. Where other regions of the brain are also affected, you may see signs such as behaviour change (loss of house training, aggression), confusion, blindness, and seizures. How is cerebellar abiotrophy diagnosed? This is a rare disorder. The clinical signs are suggestive of cerebellar disease, particularly if they are seen in a breed in which abiotrophy is known to occur. Your veterinarian will do tests to rule out other conditions that can cause similar signs. For the veterinarian: Routine diagnostic tests are normal with this condition and a definitive diagnosis can only be made by brain biopsy or on post-mortem. MRI may be helpful in dogs in which there is gross cerebellar malformation; however generally with this condition, the cerebellum appears grossly normal. Histopathologic abnormalities are often minimal and do not seem to correlate with the severity of cerebellar signs. " ** There are 2 types of this illness. In the first the symptoms go to a certain point and stay there. In the second, the symptoms continue to get worse until the dog is crippled and the only kind thing to do is put him to sleep. There is no treatment that I have been able to find, and Peppers vet doesn't know of any. Kathy Last edited by PCMom; 08-22-2005 at 03:20 PM.