Imerslund-Grasbeck Syndrome 1

Description

Canine Imerslund-Grasbeck Syndrome (IGS), or cobalamin malabsorption, is a disorder which prevents a dog from absorbing adequate levels of Vitamin B12, or cobalamin. Cobalamin is normally taken in through the small intestines. Dogs with IGS cannot absorb the vitamin and quickly begin to show symptoms of deficiency.

Symptoms of IGS typically appear within 6-12 weeks after birth. A puppy is born with a certain amount of Vitamin B12, but after the stored vitamin is depleted, the puppy will exhibit signs of deficiency. Symptoms include: anemia, lethargy, failure to thrive, and lack of appetite. While IGS cannot be cured, the disorder can be managed with regular supplementation of cobalamin.

Imerslund-Grasbeck Syndrome is inherited as an autosomal recessive condition. This means that the mutated gene can be inherited from either parent. Furthermore, a dog must inherit two copies of the mutated gene to have IGS, one from each parent. Dogs that have only one copy of the mutated gene are carriers of the mutation. Since carriers do not exhibit any symptoms of the disorder, DNA testing is an important tool to ensure the optimum health of puppies.