Juvenile Laryngeal Paralysis & Polyneuropathy (JLPP) in Rottweilers
Juvenile Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy or (JLPP) short is a neurological disorder which 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 onward, and can 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 hereditary disease passed down through generations of dog. 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:
1. Infected puppy begins showing signs at the age of 3 months
2. Initial symptoms are breathing difficulties, especially with exercise or excitement.
3. Begin with weakness and incoordination of the legs.
4. Cataracts may be visible on the examination of the eyes
5. Breathing problems from the laryngeal paralysis can be improved with surgery, but JLPP is a progressive disorder, meaning it gets worse over time.
6. 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 for 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, andPolyneuropathy 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. You might also be interested in Brucellosis in Dogs