A disease of progressive incoordination of gait and loss of balance.

Clinical signs usually become notable between 6 and 12 months of age with affected dogs presenting with symmetric spinocerebellar ataxia particularly evident in the pelvic limbs.

The CAPN1 gene shows high levels of expression in the brain and nervous system and roles for the protein in both neuronal necrosis and maintenance have been suggested.

Clinical signs of SCA are usually recognised by the owners when the dogs are 2 to 9 months of age.

Initially the dogs’ owners may notice incoordination, pelvic limb swaying when walking, and difficulty in climbing stairs and jumping.

As the disease progresses, a characteristic ‘prancing’ or ‘dancing’ type of gait is observed, especially affecting the pelvic limbs.

Severely affected animals frequently fall and have difficulty returning to a standing position.