Spinocerebellar ataxia / SCA / SDCA1 (KCNJ10-related) - Terrier type / Dachshund

What does this test examine?

This genetic test analyses the KCNJ10 variant c.627C>G in the terrier-type dogs and Dachshunds. The condition is known as spinocerebellar ataxia, SDCA1 or SAMS, SCA and hereditary cerebellar ataxia.

What does spinocerebellar ataxia mean?

Affected dogs usually develop coordination loss, unsteady gait, balance problems and neurological signs at a young age. This KCNJ10 form can also include myokymia, neuromyotonia or seizure-like episodes, making the result important for both breeding plans and interpretation of early neurological signs.

Inheritance and result

The trait is autosomal recessive. Clear dogs do not carry the tested variant, carriers have one copy and affected dogs have two copies. Carriers are usually clinically normal but can pass the variant to offspring.

Practical value of this test

• Breeders can identify carriers before mating and avoid affected puppies.
• The result helps explain early balance and coordination problems genetically.
• Targeted mate selection lowers risk in the line without automatically excluding healthy carriers.