Juvenile Laryngeal Paralysis & Polyneuropathy (JLPP) in Rottweilers
Juvenile Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy or (JLPP) short is a neurological disorder that is often found in Black Russian Terriers but can affect all dogs’ breeds. Including Rottweilers. This disease affects the dog’s nervous system and can have severe implications for your dog’s health.
Let’s take a closer look at what Juvenile Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy is. We will discuss the symptoms if there’s any cure and what to do if you think your Rottweiler has the disease.
What are Juvenile Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy disorder?
Juvenile Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy is a hereditary condition, which means that it is passed down from parent to puppy. The condition is often overlooked when new pet owners bring their new puppy home. Their reason for this is because the symptoms of the disorder don’t show until at least 12 weeks onwards, and could even take longer. Affected puppies always die in the first year.
To make matter worse if both parents are carriers of the disease and are not infected, then there will be no symptoms to show for expectant dog owners. Only by carrying out a DNA test will genetic makeup will be known.
Infection usually starts by affecting the breathing because of how it disturbs the nerves; it will attack the most extended nerve end, which is the throat muscles in dogs.
Next, it will destroy the nerves that control the hind legs, then affecting the front legs as the disease progresses. As Juvenile Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy progresses, it renders dogs unable to stand.
Many dogs with the disorder often live until old age, but as they age the disease takes a stronger hold.
How is it inherited?
JLPP is a hereditary disease passed down through generations of dogs. But if both parents have the JLPP gene, the puppy will be affected with the disease; this also knows now as a recessive disease.
If the only parent has the JLPP then the puppy will not have the disease and be able to live a good life. But if both parents carry the gene, then the puppy will be infected. But if only one parent has JLPP then the puppies will be a carrier but not affected with the disease.
JLPP is a recessive disorder, which means that both parents of an affected puppy, are carriers of the disease but do not show any symptoms.
Symptoms
If you think your Rottweiler may have this disease, please book and see your veterinarian. They will be able to carry out a DNA test. Study the results of the DNA test and their findings on examination. This will determine if your dog is suffering from JLPP and give you some advice on what to do next.
Symptoms of the disorder included:
- Infected puppy begins showing signs at the age of 3 months
- Initial symptoms are breathing difficulties, especially with exercise or excitement.
- Begin with weakness and incoordination of the legs.
- Cataracts may be visible on the examination of the eyes
- Breathing problems from the laryngeal paralysis can be improved with surgery, but JLPP is a progressive disorder, meaning it gets worse over time.
- The weakness and coordination problems become more severe, and dogs can develop problems swallowing.
Testing in Dogs
This disease will always be fatal to affected puppies. There is currently no cure for it. But if the Parents are tested and found to be clear of the disease, then it will be excellent for carrying on breeding both dogs.
A simple DNA test would find out if both the dogs have JLPP. This test would test for the genetic status of known inherited disorders.
The conditions are caused by a mutation of the dog’s gene. So the inheritance of these diseases is known, and producing puppies affected with JLPP can be avoided provided both parents are tested for the disease.
JLPP disorder in Rottweilers
JLPP is an inherited condition where the nervous system deteriorates in a significant way. Usually, the nerves controlling the voice box are affected, causing noisy breathing and problems swallowing, and weak barking.
Sometime later, the nerves which control the back legs are affected and making it hard for the dog to stand without wobbling. These symptoms start at a few weeks of age and are progressive as the dog gets older.
As the disease takes more control of the dog, then the dog’s nervous system will severely be under threat. The disorder will also eventually affect the front legs making standing near impossible.
Juvenile Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy disorder will infect Rottweilers in the same fashion as other dog breeds. Puppies born with the disease will typically die within the first year but will need both infected parents.
Conclusion
As it stands, there is no current cure for this severe disease. If you think your Rottweiler may have it or is showing some signs mentioned above, then go and visit your vet.
Sometimes other diseases can have the same symptoms as Juvenile Laryngeal Paralysis, and Polyneuropathy so doesn’t worry about it. The vet will do a physical examination of your dog and then carry out a DNA test on your animal.
Black Russian Terriers and Rottweilers ONLY
Juvenile Laryngeal Paralysis & Polyneuropathy (JLPP) in the Black Russian Terrier
Juvenile laryngeal paralysis and polyneuropathy (JLPP) is an autosomal recessive, hereditary disease that affects Black Russian Terriers beginning typically around 3 months of age. Affected dogs have difficulty breathing when excited or exercised and may have a change in their bark. As the disease progresses, they develop weakness and loss of coordination in the hind limbs which will eventually progress to affect the front limbs as well. They may also have difficulties swallowing which can result in choking or pneumonia.
Research Available:
Test Results
Normal This dog has tested normal (or clear) for the mutation known to cause JLPP. It can only transmit a normal gene to offspring and can be bred to a dog with any test result without the risk of producing affected offspring.
Carrier This dog has tested as a carrier for the mutation known to cause JLPP. There is no evidence at present that these dogs will develop clinical symptoms of JLPP. It may transmit either a normal gene or a mutated gene to potential offspring.
Affected/At-Risk This dog has tested as affected for the mutation known to cause JLPP. It is at risk for developing clinical symptoms of JLPP, which generally begin to appear at about 3 months of age. The clinical signs include difficulty breathing, change in bark, weakness, and loss of coordination, and difficulty swallowing which can result in choking or pneumonia. There is no effective treatment for this condition, and even with supportive nursing care, these dogs do not live more than a few months after clinical signs begin.
Order DNA Test
Tests are ordered online through the secure area of the Orivet website and test kits are sent out free.
Source: OFA