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Acral Mutilation Syndrome in Dogs
What is Acral Mutilation Syndrome?
Acral mutilation syndrome is a hereditary disease. AMS causes progressive degeneration and abnormal development of the sensory neurons in the spinal cord and in the peripheral nerves; which will cause the loss of pain sensation in the extremities. Single or multiple limbs can be affected by the disease. The hind legs are believed to be more severely affected.
Dogs with acral mutilation syndrome will chew, bite, lick and self-mutilate their distal extremities which may result in ulcers and fungal or bacterial infections. In severe cases, auto-amputation of digits, pads and claws can occur. Canines will continue to walk on mutilated feet without showing pain or lameness. Motor skills, coordination, and reflexes will all appear normal.
The breed best known for acral mutilation syndrome is the Cocker Spaniel, others also affected are the German Short-Haired Pointer, English Pointer and the Miniature Schnauzer.
Acral mutilation syndrome (AMS) is a rare autosomal-recessive genetic sensory neuropathy of canines. It causes the absence of pain sensation in the dog’s extremities and eventually leads to progressive self-mutilation.
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Symptoms of Acral Mutilation Syndrome in Dogs
The symptoms of AMS will vary depending on the severity of the disease. Primary symptoms of the syndrome are:
- Puppies with AMS are much smaller than their littermates without the disease
- Licking, chewing and biting at the feet, which can start as early as 3 months of age
- No pain or temperature sensation
Secondary symptoms or conditions may include:
- Bleeding
- Swollen paws
- Redness around the pads
- Nail loss
- Ulcerations on toes or feet
- Hyperpigmentation
- Abscesses
- Extensive fibrosis (scarring)
- Bacterial infection
- Fungal infection
Causes of Acral Mutilation Syndrome in Dogs
The disease acral mutilation syndrome is an autosomal-recessive condition. This means that a dog must inherit the abnormal genes from both the parents in order to be affected by the condition. More than one puppy in the litter can be affected by the disease. If both parent dogs are clear of acral mutilation syndrome, their offspring will not inherit the condition nor will they be carriers of the disease.
A dog that inherits only one abnormal gene from either parent will have no signs of the disease, but will be a carrier and may pass the gene on to any offspring. It is important that breeders screen stud dogs and brood bitches with a DNA test, to prevent the birth of puppies affected with acral mutilation syndrome. A veterinarian can perform DNA testing, it is a simple cheek swab of the dog’s mouth. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for screening.
Diagnosis of Acral Mutilation Syndrome in Dogs
Your veterinarian will require a complete medical history of your dog. He will ask questions regarding the existing health concerns and when the onset of the symptoms occurred. The veterinarian will then do a physical examination. Diagnosis is usually established with a combination of tests which may include:
- Electromyography - EMG test evaluates the absence of normal nerve and muscle health; the canine will need to be sedated or may need to be placed under anesthesia for this test
- Nerve biopsies may be taken under general anesthesia
- Bloodwork and cultures will help determine if there is a bacterial or fungal infection
Dogs that are diagnosed with acral mutilation syndrome should never be used for breeding.
Treatment of Acral Mutilation Syndrome in Dogs
Unfortunately, there is no known treatment for this disease. There are ways to prevent further mutilation such as Elizabethan collars (cones), bandages, muzzles and dog booties. Topical application of analgesic or steroidal medication, which are bad tasting, may also help deter the pet from licking and biting the area.
Anxiolytic drugs (sedatives) such as diazepam and endorphin blockers may help the pet with anxiety. Antibiotics will be prescribed if it is established that there is a fungal or bacterial infection. Laser ablation may be suggested to help sterilize lesions and deaden nerve endings.
Alternative medical treatments such as acupuncture or cold laser therapy may also provide some relief to your dog. If the attempts to stop the canine from further self-mutilation are unsuccessful, your veterinarian may suggest euthanasia.
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Recovery of Acral Mutilation Syndrome in Dogs
There is no known cure for acral mutilation syndrome. Routine follow-up visits to your veterinarian will be necessary to monitor how your companion is responding to any prescribed medications. If there was a bacterial or fungal infection it will be necessary to do a recheck of the area. It is important to contact your veterinarian if you have concerns or questions about any new symptoms that may occur.
Acral mutilation syndrome is not a life threatening disease but it will require a lifetime commitment from the pet owner to manage the conditions. If the canine does not stop self-mutilating himself, the quality of life of the pet must be considered.
Acral Mutilation Syndrome Average Cost
From 565 quotes ranging from $1,000 - $8,000
Average Cost
$3,000
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Acral Mutilation Syndrome Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Sheepadoodle
Bula
5 Months
7 found this helpful
7 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Chewed Toes
Chewed Pad
Pulled Nails Out
My 5 month-old puppy has Acral Mutilation Syndrome, confirmed by testing from Antigen in France. "Bula" has a dyer prognosis and I am understandably frustrated. We are keeping him alive with a customized muzzle, and antibiotics. He is the "perfect" puppy in every respect, unfortunately, we are fighting a battle that we are bound to lose.
My questions are, are there any new drugs being used to help, and are there any studies going on that we can learn more about the disease, its potential treatment, and possibly participate in? The internet quotes the same old studies verbatim, site to site. Read one site, you have read them all, is anyone doing something to stop or treat AMS?
Another issue is, if we are able to keep Bula around for a while, how will the disease progress, is there a timeline for the development of future issues/symptoms?
June 18, 2018
7 Recommendations
As far as I am aware (and what I just searched), there is no effective treatment and from what I could find there are no studies or trials being carried out; generally management of the conditions involves borderline sedation and the use of a cone or muzzle to prevent mutilation, once the mutilation gets too bad euthanasia usually carried out. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
June 19, 2018
Thank you Dr. Turner for your response. I have Bula in a custom muzzle which is working for now, and antibiotics are fighting the onset of infection from his current wound. We are trying to avoid sedation or anti-anxiety medications as it will take away his personality and quality of life. Fortunately, dogs with AMS have no feeling in their extremities so he is not suffering from pain. We will continue to enjoy him as long as we can. If you learn anything new, please let us know. Thanks again.
June 22, 2018
Bula's Owner
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English Springer Spaniel
Alice
8 and half months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Open Wound
I have a 8 and a half month old puppy who has developed symptoms of Ams without the actual self mutilating part ? I am waiting on the test being sent from France but she has no interest in licking or biting herself ??
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
Does she have a lack of sensitivity in her lower limbs? Licking and chewing are the characteristic symptoms of acral mutilation syndrome, the licking causes irritation which in turn causes biting and wounds to appear; whilst spaniels are prone to acral mutilation syndrome (still very rare) there are other conditions like bacterial infection which may cause similar symptoms. Until you receive the results of the genetic testing, keep the wound clean and free of debris also ask your Veterinarian for some preventative antibiotics. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
3 out of her 4 feet are all bandaged at present and are being changed 3-4 times daily by the vets and her feet are not healing and the pads on the paw that isn't bandaged are very soft and graze easily it's almost like her body is attacking her feet on its own and not healing and the flesh being eaten away on her front right which had a toe removed although that wound healed but another further around opened up and has not healed but she never licks or chews herself.
July 26, 2017
Alice's Owner
No she never chews or licks and she has been on Antibiotics and these have made no difference she is now in my vets and has been for over 10 days and her condition has got worse as in now her back feet are affected. Yes she feels pain in her lower limbs especially in her back feet as she was limping .
July 26, 2017
Alice's Owner
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Acral Mutilation Syndrome Average Cost
From 565 quotes ranging from $1,000 - $8,000
Average Cost
$3,000
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
