Lysosome storage disease are a group of uncommon inherited metabollic disorders that are caused due to defect in the function of lysosome. In this condition, the body has a partial or complete lack of an enzyme that normally breaks down sugars, proteins, or fats. Lack of this enzyme results in accumulation of products in the cell that should have been eliminated from the body.
Lysosomes are the "recycling center" in cells, and are supposed to process unwanted or worn out material in a cell into a substance that the cell can use. The lysosomes use enzymes to do this processing, and if the enzyme exists in only small amounts or is absent altogether, the recycling process doesn't work, and the unprocessed material builds up, or is stored, in the cell. Eventually the stored material builds up so much that the cell cannot function any longer. When this happens in enough cells, disease symptoms appear.
It is a rare disease that most commonly occurs in puppies. Certain breeds are predisposed to this condition such as German shepherd, German short-haired pointer, English setter, Beagle, Cairn terrier, Blue tick hound, West Highland terrier and Portuguese water dog.
Common symptoms associated with this condition are
Failure to thrive
Balance problems
Exercise intolerance
Inconsistent behavior
Compromised vision
Fainting
Seizures
