The Scottish Terrier, also known as a Scottie, is a small framed dog with a wiry fur coat, and normally offers an adorable loving personality.
This Scottie breed is prone to some hereditary health disorders however, with one of top disorders known as the Scottie Cramp. This is a neurological movement disorder that affects the Scottish Terrier breeds of dogs.
What are the Causes of Scottie Cramp?
This Scottie health issue is caused by a disorder in metabolism of serotonin causing either an overdose or a shortage of available serotonin. It is inherited as a recessive trait and normally occurs in young Scottish Terrier puppies. This condition does not progress as the dog grows but will remain at the original severity level throughout the dog’s lifespan. Scotties are still capable of living a healthy long life since the disorder is not a progressive disease.
Advisable that you do not breed with the Scotties exhibiting this condition.
Scottie Cramp Symptoms
This disorder will mostly occur in young Scottish Terrier puppies. Scottie Cramp symptoms will often occur shortly after a stressful situation, a lot of excitement, or following a regular exercise routine. Below are several symptoms that could be signs your Scottish Terrier is suffering from Scottie Cramp.
- Stiff hind legs / cramping
- Awkward movements
- Breath shortness
- Puppy collapse
- Gasps for air
- Muscle contractions
- Arching of the spine
An episode can last up to 30 minutes with altering levels of severity. Many Scottish Terrier owners note seeing only a single attack in their dog. However, more stressful or active environments offer a greater potential for occurrence.
Scottie Cramp causes neurological disorders in the Scottie Breed, much like cereballer abiotrophy (CA). In most situations where a Scottie’s symptoms are steady and show progression the dog will be diagnosed as having cerebellar abiotrophy.
Factors affecting expression and severity of Scottie Cramp
Scottish Terrier puppies may suppress the elicitation of the symptoms of the Scottie Cramp by modifying their activity
Nutritional factors. These factors are important in determining the severity of the dog’s symptoms. Increase in an amino acid, tryptophan and glucose administration will increase the function of serotonergic neurons affected in dogs.
The health status of the dog. If the health of the dog deteriorates, the symptoms become severe.
The environment of the dog. The dog’s environment influences the expression of the disease. Stressful conditions have the potential to modify the symptoms of Scottie Cramp.
Treatment of the Scottish Terrier Health Disorder
Treatment of Scottish Terrier cramping is not necessary but in some severe cases it would be treated with Vitamin E, diazepam, and Prozac.
Vitamin E; Reduces the likelihood that an episode will occur. The doses as low as 70 IU/ kg are effective in reducing cramp behavior though it not recommended for long-term treatment. Vitamin E at doses exceeding 125IU/ kg given once per day has been found to be effective in moving the threshold for elicitation of the symptoms.
Diazepam at a dosage between 0.5mg/kg to 1.5mg/kg, reduces the Scottie Cramp symptoms in acute episodes and if issued chronically, Diazepam reduces recurrent problems.