White dog shaker syndrome

White dog shaker syndrome (also known as shaker dog syndrome and "little white shakers" syndrome(Latin name Idiopathic Cerebellitis)) causes full body tremors in small, white dog breeds. It is most common in West Highland White Terriers, Maltese, Bichons, and Poodles.cite book|author=Ettinger, Stephen J.;Feldman, Edward C.|title=Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine|edition=4th ed.|publisher=W.B. Saunders Company|year=1995|id=ISBN 0-7216-6795-3] There is a sudden onset of the disease at one to two years of age. It is worse at times of stress. Nystagmus, difficulty walking, and seizures may occur in some dogs. The cause is unknown, but it may be mediated by the immune system. One theory is that there is an autoimmune-induced generalized deficiency of neurotransmitters. [cite web | title = What is shaker dog syndrome? | work = Canine Inherited Disorders Database | publisher = University of Prince Edward Island | date = 2001 | url = http://www.upei.ca/~cidd/Diseases/nervous%20system%20disorders/shaker%20dog%20syndrome.htm | accessdate = 2007-02-12 ] Cerebrospinal fluid analysis may reveal an increased number of lymphocytes.cite web|author=Vite, C.H.|year=2005|title=Inflammatory Diseases of the Central Nervous System|work=Braund's Clinical Neurology in Small Animals: Localization, Diagnosis and Treatment|url=http://www.ivis.org/advances/Vite/braund27/chapter_frm.asp?LA=1#Shaker|accessdate=2007-02-13] Treatment with corticosteroids may put the dog into remission, or diazepam may control the symptoms.cite book|author=Chrisman, Cheryl; Clemmons, Roger; Mariani, Christopher; Platt, Simon|title=Neurology for the Small Animal Practitioner|edition=1st ed.|publisher=Teton New Media|year=2003|id=ISBN 1-893441-82-2] Typically the two drugs are used together. [cite journal |author=Yamaya Y, Iwakami E, Goto M, Koie H, Watari T, Tanaka S, Takeuchi A, Tokuriki M |title=A case of shaker dog disease in a miniature dachshund |journal=J Vet Med Sci |volume=66 |issue=9 |pages=1159–60 |year=2004 |pmid=15472486 |doi=10.1292/jvms.66.1159] There is a good prognosis, and symptoms usually resolve with treatment within a week, although lifelong treatment may be necessary.

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