Neonatal Encephalopathy with Seizures (NeWS)

Description

Neonatal Encephalopathy with Seizures (NEwS) is an autosomal recessive disease. Autosomal recessive diseases are diseases that can be passed from either parent and require two copies of the gene to show symptoms. This means that a copy of the NEwS genetic mutation is needed from both parents for offspring to show symptoms. NEwS is a fatal disease that causes seizures in dogs with two copies of the NEwS gene.

NEwS affects Standard Poodle puppies. When born, puppies are small and weak at birth. The cerebellum (a portion of the brain that controls muscle activity) from affected puppies have been found to be reduced in size. Many die in their first week of life. Those surviving past 1 week develop ataxia, a whole-body tremor. By 4 to 6 weeks of age, puppies develop severe generalized tonic-clonic seizures. None have survived to 7 weeks of age.

This fatal disease affects the brain of newborn puppies causing weakness, seizures, and ultimately death within a few weeks of birth.  Neonatal encephalopathy is recessive — both parents must possess the gene mutation in order to produce offspring affected by the disease.  Dogs with one copy of this gene do not show symptoms, but are carriers and can pass the gene to their offspring. It is important to test before breeding so as to avoid breeding two carriers together.