Comments on: I am doing a research on a rare disease called White Dog Shaker syndrome. Info Pls?

By: Debbie

Debbie — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 13:21:39 +0000

It all started right when my 3lb maltese turned 1year old. he started to have the tremors they were quieted when he slept and he was sleeping more often then he lost his appetite, then one day he had a seizer I took him to the emergency vet and they thought he had some kind of poisen (toxin)and that he was having trmors because of the toxins and said give it 30 days to work it out of his system. In those 30 days he had 3 more seizures and then started to loose control of his walking he walked like he was drunk could not go up and down stairs, then he could no longer lift his leg to go potty , it progressed until he would just fall over. One day he could not even get out of his bed he would drag his back legs out of his bed when he had to go potty (he would pee all over himself) and then he could not even do that anymore

He would lay awake painting at night and I thought he was in pain I thought maybe he had a pinched nerve or something so I took him to a different vet he told me he did not have any toxins in his body took ex-rays made sure his tummy was clear
and then gave him a steroid shot 3 days in a row
by the first shot he took his first steps and by the third he was back to normal he then gave me 2 pills to take at home I thought the pinched nerve was cured
He was good for 2-1/2 months then it started again *he kept turning his head to one side *he started having tremors * he began to loose mobility in his back legs * walking like he was drunk *could not walk on hard floors at all only carpet THEN HE HAD A SIZURE I knew then it was back!!!! I took him back to the vet and he did another steroid shot and gave me 1 month of pills this was good for 1 month he is still not himself he is maintaining but somedays he walks well and others not so well
But one of the weirdest things is when his head is down and he is sniffing the ground his whole back half (rear and legs) come up off the ground like he is going to flip over
needless to say he does not play like he use to because he does not have full control over he limbs He can go up stairs sometimes on his own
but never down them because his back end flips over I do not know what else to do I just know he is not a normal puppy like he was

By: Jess P

Jess P — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:41:02 +0000

I have never heard of this but is it similar to Idiopathic Epilepsy?

By: KM

KM — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:28:59 +0000

I’ve had experience with Shaker Syndrome, usually found in breeds such as the Springer Spaniel and Weimaraner. The Shaker Syndrome these dogs had was hereditary and congenital (they are born with it) and was similar to the disease portayed in the movie “Lorenzo’s Oil.” Nothing can currently be done to help dogs affected with Shaker Syndrome, however, it appears that White Dog Shaker Syndrome is a different story. Appearing around 6 months to 2 years of age, it is not a congenital condition and may be an autoimmune disease. It’s usually treated with corticosteroids and the prognosis seems good.

By: Whippet keeper

Whippet keeper — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 01:37:55 +0000

I’ve heard of it, but no personal experience.

By: brbnryn

brbnryn — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 05:43:12 +0000

I’m sorry, I haven’t experienced this with any pets, but I can give you some info on this.

This syndrome only acts in small white dogs. The most common breeds to present this syndrome are the West Highland White Terriers, Maltese, Bichons, and Poodles.

The disease will have a sudden onset when the dog is about 1 or 2 years old.

Nystagamus, which is the uncontrolled movement of the eyes, difficulty walking and seizures will be some of the first sign you will get of your dog having the White Dog Shaker Syndrome. SIGNS MAY HAVE VARIATIONS, AND SOME DOGS WON’T HAVE THEM ALL AT ONCE!!!

Treatment will include Corticosteroids, which may put the dog into remission, or Diazepam, which will control the symptoms. With this drugs, which are usually used together, will get your dog almost back to normal, but life long treatment will be necessary.

Other breeds that have been recently discovered to present this syndrome are the Beagle and the Yorkie.

It is inherited, and will be diagnosed after the tests for other possible causes of the signs that I mentioned above turn out negative.

Dogs which have this Syndrome shouldn’t be bred, unless you want their puppies to have it too.

Causes are unknown as to what triggered the Shaker Syndrome first!!!

By: ♥PomMom♥

♥PomMom♥ — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 17:52:12 +0000

I (my dogs) have not had personal experience with this disease, but here is a link with more information.