Description: Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that affects different breeds of dogs. It is characterized by daily drowsiness, cataplexy and marked transitions from alertness to sleep with rapid eye movement (REM). Dogs with narcolepsy exhibit cataplexy, sudden episodes of muscle weakness similar to REM-associated sleep, which is primarily due to positive emotions. Animals in the narcoleptic state are almost devoid of muscle tone. The first symptoms of the disease may appear as early as 4 weeks to 6 months. The frequency of episodes is specific to each animal, but the frequency of episodes generally decreases with age. The disease is inherited autosomal recessively, mutations in the gene perfectly segregate with diseased individuals.
Inheritance: autosomal recessive
Mutation: c.1105+5G>A in Hcrtr2 gene (Hypocretin/Orexin-receptor-2)
Sample: EDTA whole blood (1.0 ml) or 2 buccal brushes. For official purposes, the confirmation of the dog’s identity by Veterinarian is recommended.
The analysis is suitable for the following breeds: Labrador Retriever
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