Treatment

There are several factors which affect the severity and frequency of hyperkinetic episodes. These include your dog's environment, his/her general health, genetic differences, and factors that modify your dog's behavior. If you and your veterinarian can identify the conditions or behaviors that bring on Scotty Cramp in your dog, you can reduce the frequency by avoiding certain situations or stimuli, or by behavioral conditioning to reduce associated anxiety. Behavioral and environmental modification are often sufficient to reduce or eliminate episodes of Scotty cramp. When necessary, diazepam is used to treat severe episodes, and it can also be used for prevention in a situation where a dog is likely to experience clinical signs. Vitamin E can also be used to reduce the frequency of episodes.

Care and Prevention

Administer all medication and institute environmental changes as directed by your veterinarian. Avoid certain medications, such as aspirin and penicillin, as they may worsen signs.

Do not breed affected animals and do not repeat breeding the sire and dam (pair) that produced the affected offspring.