Quick Summary
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Phenotype: Neonatal cerebellar cortical degeneration in young Beagle puppies is characterized by lack of coordination, broad based stance, loss of balance, and tremors. The condition is neonatal and onset is noticed at about 3 weeks of age as puppies begin to walk. The severity of the condition is variable among individuals but progression of clinical signs is minimal.
Mode of Inheritance: Autosomal recessive
Alleles: N = Normal, CCD = Neonatal cerebellar cortical degeneration
Breeds appropriate for testing: Beagle
Explanation of Results:
- Dogs with N/N genotype will not have neonatal cerebellar cortical degeneration and cannot transmit this variant to their offspring.
- Dogs with N/CCD genotype will not be affected by neonatal cerebellar cortical degeneration, but are carriers. They will transmit this variant to 50% of their offspring. Matings between two carriers are predicted to produce 25% neonatal cerebellar cortical degeneration-affected puppies.
- Dogs with CCD/CCD genotype will have neonatal cerebellar cortical degeneration.
Results of this test can be submitted to the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals)
Beagle Health Panel
$130 per animal
Sample Collection
Dog DNA tests are carried out using cells brushed from your dog's cheeks and gums. The preferred cytology brushes are sent to you by mail, or you may provide your own brushes. For accepted alternative brushes, click here
We recommend waiting until puppies are at least three weeks old before testing.
Step-By-Step:
- Make sure the dog has not had anything to eat or drink for at least 1 hour prior to collecting sample.
- When swabbing puppies, isolate each puppy from the mother, littermates and any shared toys for 1 hour prior to swabbing. Puppies should not have nursed or eaten for 1 hour prior to collecting sample.
- If collecting samples from more than one dog, make sure to sample one dog at a time and wash your hands before swabbing another dog.
- Label brush sleeve with name or ID of dog to be sampled.
- Open brush sleeve by arrow and remove one brush by its handle.
- Place bristle head between the dog’s gums and cheek and press lightly on the outside of the cheek while rubbing or rotating the brush back and forth for 15 seconds.
- Wave the brush in the air for 20 seconds to air dry.
- Insert brush back into sleeve.
- Repeat steps 5 - 8 for each unused brush in sleeve on a fresh area of cheek and gums. Make sure to use and return all brushes sent by the VGL. In most cases, it will be 3 brushes per dog. If using interdental gum brushes, please note that the VGL requires 4 brushes per dog and only moderate or wide interdental gum brushes are accepted.
- Do not seal brushes in sleeve.
- Place all samples in an envelope and return to the address provided.
ATTENTION:
- Do not collect saliva/drool – the key to obtaining a good sample is getting cheek cells on the swab
- Do not rub swab on the dog’s tongue or teeth – this will result in poor quality sample
- Do not collect a sample from a puppy that has recently nursed – the mother’s genetic material can rub off on the puppy’s mouth and contaminate the sample
Inherited neurological degenerative diseases are found in several mammalian species including humans, horses, and dogs. Cerebellar cortical degeneration, also called cerebellar abiotrophy, is a disease characterized by ataxia (lack of coordination), broad based stance, loss of balance, and intentional tremors. In different breeds of dogs, the onset is variable from neonatal to adult. In Beagles the condition is neonatal and onset is noticed at about 3 weeks of age as puppies begin to walk. The severity of the condition is variable among individuals but progression of clinical signs is minimal. Research identified an 8bp deletion in the Beta III Spectrin Gene (SPTBN2) associated with NCCD in Beagles.
NCCD is inherited as a recessive disease, thus both parents must carry the mutation in order to produce an affected puppy. Testing for NCCD in Beagles assists breeders to identify carriers and affected dogs.
