Spongy degeneration with cerebellar ataxia (SDCA1) is a neurodegenerative disease affecting Belgian Shepherd breeds. The mutation causes an interruption in potassium channels that leads to a potassium accumulation and subsequent neurological attacks. Symptoms of this disease can appear between 4-8 weeks of age and are characterized by loss of stability, stumbling, falling and tremors. Dogs will typically show a weakness in their hind limbs and the disease symptoms can be triggered by exercise or stress situations. There is no known treatment available to prevent disease progression and puppies susceptible to this disease are typically euthanized soon after symptoms are detected.

• Belgian Shepherd
• Belgian Groenendael
• Belgian Laekenois
• Belgian Malinois
• Belgian Tervueren
• Dutch Shepherd

A (CLEAR/NORMAL): These dogs have two copies of the normal gene and will neither develop cerebellar ataxia nor pass this mutation to their offspring.

B (CARRIER/NOT AFFECTED): These dogs have one copy of the normal gene and one copy of the mutation associated with this disease. They will not develop cerebellar ataxia but will, if bred, pass the mutation to 50% of its offspring, on average.

C (AT RISK/AFFECTED): These dogs have two copies of the mutation associated with this disease and are likely to develop cerebellar ataxia.