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Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (Dachshund Type)

Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (Dachshund Type) is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle weakness and exercise intolerance in Dachshunds, caused by mutations in the SGCA gene.

Affected Genes: SGCA

Inheritance: Autosomal Recessive

Variant(canFam6):
chr9:25559453: G>A

Breed: Dachshund
Miniature Longhaired Dachshund
Miniature Smooth Dachshund
Miniature Wirehaired Dachshund
Standard Longhaired Dachshund
Standard Smooth Dachshund
Standard Wirehaired Dachshund

General Information: Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (LGMD) (Dachshund Type) is an inherited neuromuscular disease affecting Dachshunds. Affected dogs typically show clinical signs between 7 to 17 months of age. This condition manifests as progressive muscle weakness, primarily affecting the muscles around the hips and shoulders (the limb-girdle muscles). Common symptoms include difficulty in rising, exercise intolerance, and a stiff gait. Some dogs may also struggle with eating and drinking due to muscle weakness. Over time, the disease can lead to severe muscle wasting and potential complications such as aspiration pneumonia. Changes in the color of urine can also occur, indicating the presence of muscle breakdown products being filtered by the kidneys. The progression of LGMD varies, and affected dogs require careful management to maintain their quality of life.

How to Read Your Dog's Test Results for this Genetic Variant:

Two Variants Detected: Dog Likely Affected

One Variant Detected: Dog Unlikely Affected

No Variants Detected: No Effect

Gene / Testing Information: Genetic testing of the SGCA gene will determine whether a dog is a genetic carrier of Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (Dachshund Type). This disorder is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning a dog must inherit two copies of the mutated gene (one from each parent) to develop the disease. Carrier dogs, which have only one copy of the mutation, typically do not exhibit symptoms but can pass the gene to their offspring. If two carriers are bred, each puppy has a 25% chance of developing the disease and a 50% chance of being a carrier of the SGCA gene mutation. Reliable genetic testing is crucial for breeders to identify carriers and make informed breeding decisions to prevent the birth of affected puppies. It is important to note that a clear test result for the SGCA mutation does not eliminate the possibility of other forms of muscular dystrophy, which can be caused by mutations in different genes. Therefore, comprehensive genetic screening is recommended to ensure the health of breeding lines and future generations.

References:
Mickelson JR, Minor KM, Guo LT, Friedenberg SG, Cullen JN, Ciavarella A, Hambrook LE, Brenner KM, Helmond SE, Marks SL, Shelton GD. Sarcoglycan A mutation in miniature dachshund dogs causes limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 2D. Skelet Muscle. 2021 11(1):2.