Home
Mini Schnauzers
The Standard
Pet Grooming
Sources
FAQ
List of Breeders
Judges' Page
Code of Ethics
Publications
Events
Specialty Results
Local Clubs
Rescue
Health
Health Research
Photo Gallery
Links
Neuronal Ceroid-Lipofuscinosis in Miniature Schnauzers
May 2007 – AMSC Health Committee
Canine Neuronal Ceroid-Lipofuscinosis (NCL) is a neurologic disorder that has been reported in the Miniature Schnauzer and several other breeds of dog. The age of onset and symptoms can vary between breeds, and in some breeds the scant amount of information available may not reflect all possible symptoms.
In the Miniature Schnauzer the average age of onset is between 2-4 years. Symptoms can include visual abnormalities, rapid changes in vision including blindness, bumping into objects, confusion, aimless wandering, loss of memory for learned tasks, and trembling episodes.
In some other breeds the symptoms are more dramatic, including gait changes, diminished coordination, wide-based stance, goose-stepping, aggression, compulsive pacing, circling, and changes in appetite and thirst. .
Due to limited available data it is not clear at this time if any of these symptoms may also be found in affected dogs in our breed.
In 2006 the AMSC co-sponsored research to identify the genetic mutation responsible for this defect by contributing funds from the club’s Canine Health Foundation Donor-Advised Fund. Please visit the link below for more information on this devastating disorder and for information on submitting samples from affected Miniature Schnauzers to assist the research efforts:
www.caninegeneticdiseases.net/CL_site/mainCL.htm