What is Cerebellar Abiotrophy (CA)?
Cerebellar Abiotrophy (CA) is a hereditary neurological disorder in which the cells of the small brain (the cerebellum) degenerate prematurely. Because the cerebellum controls coordination and balance, an affected dog struggles with movement and staying upright.
How to recognize CA in a puppy?
Puppies with CA remain fully alert and mentally sharp, but their physical coordination fails them. Typical signs include:
Loss of balance: A wobbly, stiff, or “drunken” gait.
Wide-based stance: The puppy plants its feet far apart to avoid falling over.
Tremors: Light shaking or intention tremors in the head or body.
Difficulty rising: Climbing stairs or getting up without support becomes difficult or impossible over time.
Forms and DNA Testing
Two main variants are recognized in the Australian Kelpie:
Early-onset variant (LINGO3): Initial symptoms become noticeable between 4 and 8 weeks of age.
Later-onset variant (VMP1): Symptoms usually appear between 3 and 8 months of age.
Our Breeding Ethics
Because health is our highest priority, we screen our breeding stock using the available DNA marker tests (LINGO3 and VMP1). By carefully selecting tested and clear combinations, we do everything possible to ensure our puppies grow up happy and healthy.
