Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (Terrier Type)

Other Names: Galactocerebrosidase deficiency, Krabbe disease, GLD
Affected Genes: GALC
Inheritance: Autosomal Recessive
Mutation: chr8:59311801 (canFam3): A>C

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Common Symptoms

Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (Terrier Type) is an inherited Lysosomal Storage Disorder affecting West Highland White Terriers. Affected dogs are normal at birth but at about 6 to 22 weeks of age, these dogs show signs of muscle weakness and uncoordinated movement. Affected dogs have a deficiency of the Enzyme galactocerebrosidase which is responsible for breaking down Myelin in the nervous system. As a result, there are abnormal accumulations of fatty myelin bi-products that affect the ability of certain nervous cells to make myelin. Symptoms include crossing legs while walking, widely spaced stance, jerky movements, high stepping and body tremors. Overall muscle tone is decreased and reflexes are decreased or absent. As the disease progresses, blindness, paralysis and death can occur.

Breed-Specific Information for the West Highland White Terrier

The Mutation of the GALC gene associated with Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (Terrier Type) has been identified in West Highland White Terriers, although its overall frequency in this breed is unknown.

Testing Tips

Genetic testing of the GALC gene in West Highland White Terriers will reliably determine whether a dog is a genetic Carrier of Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (Terrier Type). Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (Terrier Type) is inherited in an Autosomal Recessive manner in dogs meaning that they must receive two copies of the mutated gene (one from each parent) to develop the disease. In general, carrier dogs do not have features of the disease but when bred with another carrier of the same Mutation, there is a risk of having affected pups. Each pup that is born to this pairing has a 25% chance of inheriting the disease and a 50% chance of inheriting one copy and being a carrier of the GALC gene mutation. Reliable genetic testing is important for determining breeding practices. In order to eliminate this mutation from breeding lines and to avoid the potential of producing affected pups, breeding of known carriers to each other is not recommended. West Highland White Terriers that are not carriers of the mutation have no increased risk of having affected pups.

There may be other causes of this condition in dogs and a normal result does not exclude a different mutation in this gene or any other gene that may result in a similar genetic disease or trait.

References

  • Victoria T, Rafi MA, Wenger DA. Cloning of the canine GALC cDNA and identification of the mutation causing globoid cell leukodystrophy in West Highland White and Cairn terriers. Genomics. 1996 May 1; 33(3):457-62. [PubMed: 8661004]
  • Wenger DA, Victoria T, Rafi MA, Luzi P, Vanier MT, Vite C, Patterson DF, Haskins MH. Globoid cell leukodystrophy in cairn and West Highland white terriers. J Hered. 1999 Jan-Feb;90(1):138-42. [PubMed: 9987921]