Inherited Sensory and Autonomic Neuropathy in a Border Collie, Interest of Oclacitinib for the Control of Self-Mutilation

Sensory and autonomic neuropathy was diagnosed in a five-month-old Border Collie puppy, who presented with progressive self-mutilation, proprioceptive ataxia and urinary incontinence. In the Border Collie, sensory neuropathy is different from what is observed in acral mutilation syndrome, as the genetic mutation is linked to an inversion disrupting the FAM134B gene. Diagnosis was based on history, clinical signs and genetic testing. The prognosis of sensory neuropathies is poor and no curative treatment is available. In the present case, oclacitinib was started for symptomatic treatment of the self-mutilation. A good control of the self-mutilation was quickly observed with an improvement in quality of life for five months. Unfortunately, progression of neurological signs with severe proprioceptive deficits, ataxia, muscular atrophy and urinary/fecal incontinence was observed. Five months after diagnosis, the owner elected for euthanasia.