Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that results in excessive sleeping. Narcolepsy is sometimes but not always associated with cataplexy (short-lived and reversible episodes of muscle paralysis).

Narcolepsy can last from seconds to minutes, and may occur many times a day or on infrequent occasions. Excitement such as drinking, eating, playing, sexual activity, interacting with other animals and greeting owners can bring on an event. If your dog has narcolepsy, she may suddenly collapse onto her chest or side and cease moving. Severity, however, can range from weakness in your dog’s forelimbs or the hind limb to complete sleep with your dog dropping her head to the ground. If your dog has narcolepsy, she can usually be aroused with loud noises and petting.

It is believed that narcolepsy is caused by the improper regulation of hypocretin – a neurotransmitter in the brain that controls the sleep and wake cycle. Recent discoveries have shown that in Doberman Pinschers and Labrador Retrievers, narcolepsy is caused by a genetic defect. This gene is autosomal recessive which means that it must be found in both parents for the disease to occur in the offspring.

Narcolepsy is difficult to diagnose based solely on clinical findings. For those breeds in which the gene causing narcolepsy has been identified, DNA testing can be used to determine both the presence of the disease in individual dogs as well identify which dogs are carriers of the gene in breeding lines.

Narcolepsy is not progressive, nor is it dangerous by itself. Your dog will have to be monitored while playing and not placed in situations, such as swimming, where falling asleep will put her in danger.

There is no specific medication for treatment at this time. However Yohimbine, Atropine and Physostigmine are all medications that while not regularly used to treat narcolepsy, have been used to reduce the number of narcoleptic episodes in some dogs.

There is no known way to prevent narcolepsy other than careful screening of breeding stock prior to mating.

No, you cannot get narcolepsy from your dog.