GM2 gangliosidosis

GM2 gangliosidosis is a neurological disease usually manifesting around 9 to 12 months of age of a puppy. Symptoms include loss of vision, difficulty walking, loss of balance, head tremors and vomiting. Once an affected dog begins to show signs of the disease, the disease progresses rapidly and dogs usually die between the ages of 1.5 and 2 years.

This is a recessive disease, and a genetic test is useful to identify carriers of the disease. Breeders should avoid mating a male and female dogs who are carriers for this disease as there is a significantly increased risk of the affected offspring.