shop


The Furry Critter Network

Scotty Cramp - Issue Description

Back to Canine Health Issues Menu


thm-img


Issue Name

Scotty Cramp

Other Names
N/A

Issue Description

Scotty Cramp is a disease in Scottish Terriers causing spasms and hyperflexion and hyperextension of the legs.

Symptoms

Scotty Cramp occurs in puppies and young dogs. Symptoms present after exercise or excitement and last a few minutes. A goose-stepping gait and arched spine are often seen, and the dogs may turn somersaults as it runs. The symptoms usually resolve after ten minutes, but they may repeat several times in a day. The condition does progress as the dog ages.


Diagnosis

Scotty cramp distinguished on basis of family history, typical clinical signs with no loss of consciousness, and induction of signs with serotonin antagonists.

Clinical signs may be induced with serotonin antagonist methysergide.

Causes

It is caused by a disorder in serotonin metabolism that causes a deficiency of available serotonin. It is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.

Treatment

There are several factors which affect the severity and frequency of hyperkinetic episodes. These include your dog's environment, his/her general health, genetic differences, and factors that modify your dog's behavior. If you and your veterinarian can identify the conditions or behaviors that bring on Scotty Cramp in your dog, you can reduce the frequency by avoiding certain situations or stimuli, or by behavioral conditioning to reduce associated anxiety. Behavioral and environmental modification are often sufficient to reduce or eliminate episodes of Scotty cramp. When necessary, diazepam is used to treat severe episodes, and it can also be used for prevention in a situation where a dog is likely to experience clinical signs. Vitamin E can also be used to reduce the frequency of episodes.

Care and Prevention

Administer all medication and institute environmental changes as directed by your veterinarian. Avoid certain medications, such as aspirin and penicillin, as they may worsen signs.

Do not breed affected animals and do not repeat breeding the sire and dam (pair) that produced the affected offspring.


Back to Canine Health Issues Menu

Featured Rescues

"Don't Shop ... Please Adopt"

laptop pro

ASPCA

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) was the first humane society to be established in North America and is, today, one of the largest in the world.

Our organization was founded on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment at the hands of humans and must be protected under the law. Headquartered in New York City, the ASPCA maintains a strong local presence, and with programs that extend our anti-cruelty mission across the country, we are recognized as a national animal welfare organization. We are a privately funded 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, and are proud to boast more than 2 million supporters across the country.

The ASPCA’s mission, as stated by founder Henry Bergh in 1866, is “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.”


laptop pro

Petfinder

If you can’t find the pet you’re looking for on Petfinder, don’t give up. Some shelters maintain waiting lists for specific breeds, so don’t be afraid to ask! There are also breed-specific rescues for just about every breed, and most of them post their pets on Petfinder. (Petfinder can even e-mail you when a pet that fits your criteria is posted — just click “Save this Search” at the top of your search results page.)


laptop pro

Rescue Me

Jeff Gold, Founder, Rescue Me! Animal Rescue Network

Jeff Gold lives in Watkinsville, Georgia on the same property as Rescue Me's Animal Rehabilitation Center, with 18 rescue animals. Shown with him in the photo to the left are Maggie, Izzie and Cortez. In 2003, after learning there was nobody doing boxer rescue work in Georgia, Gold founded Boxertown, an organization which helped find homes for over 500 boxers during its first two years. Based upon this success, Gold came up with the vision for Rescue Me! ― a network which helps all breeds of dogs, cats and other animals find good homes, anywhere in the world. RescueShelter.com is also a free service of Rescue Me! and provides the world's largest and most up-to-date directory of animal rescue organizations for all breeds of dogs, cats and other animals, including a comprehensive directory of wildlife rehabilitators in over 150 countries.



Top