Acral mutilation syndrome (AMS) is a neurological disease characterized by insensitivity to pain in peripheral parts of body (limbs, fingers, toes), combined with self-mutilation. Clinical signs appear in puppies approximately four months old when they begin to lick and bite their paws. Affected dogs present an acral insensitivity to pain with, in the majority of cases, severe self-mutilations of the feet including claw loss, painless fractures, and digit amputation. The disease affects only sensory neurons as affected dogs do not exhibit signs of disorders in the autonomic nervous system, motor functions and proprioception.
Inheritance: autosomal recessive - read more
Mutation: upstream of GDNF gene
Genetic test: The method used for genetic testing is extremely accurate and allows complete differentiation between affected animals, carriers and healthy dogs. Testing can be done at any age.
DNA test sample: EDTA whole blood (1.0 ml) or buccal swabs. Detailed information about sampling can be found here.