title: Clinical characteristics of Scottie Cramp in 31 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the clinical features, with response to therapy and long-term outcome of Scottie Cramp as described by owners.
  
  
  METHODS
  Owners of affected dogs provided a description of clinical signs, age of onset and disease progression. Medical records, pedigrees and videotapes of cramp episodes were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-one dogs were recruited; 19 showed generalised spasticity and 12 exhibited only hind limb spasticity and skipping. Episodes were noted in the first year of life in 76% of dogs and were triggered by excitement, stress and exercise. Episode frequency and severity decreased over time with behaviour modification and decreased exposure to triggers playing a role in their development. One dog was euthanased because of severe refractory signs. Fluoxetine reduced the frequency and duration of episodes in seven dogs, but not in one severely affected dog. Female dogs were over-represented with only eight affected males in the study cohort, and the presence of dogs with cerebellar degeneration in the same pedigrees may suggest a more complex mode of inheritance than previously reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The disorder recognised as Scottie Cramp by dog owners includes dogs with hind limb spasticity in addition to generalised cramping. Signs usually improve over time without specific treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary, Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27607, USA.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Urkasemsin
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Olby
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000473:pathology; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D008297:Male; D009120:Muscle Cramp / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D009122:Muscle Hypertonia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D013132:Spinocerebellar Degenerations / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D005473:Fluoxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors