Canine Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a difficult disease to diagnose. It can easily be mistaken for a variety of other problems and vice versa. The different hereditary forms of epilepsy are characterized by the type of seizures and age of onset.

Canine Epilepsy Research

Canine epilepsy is one of the most emotionally devastating problems facing dog owners and breeders today. A consortium of researchers from the University of Missouri, University of Minnesota, Ohio Sate University, and the Animal Trust (England) are currently doing DNA research to try to locate the mutation(s) responsible for causing epilepsy in dogs. The genes controlling seizure problems in dogs are not well understood, but this project is attempting to find the marker(s) or mutation(s) responsible. When these can be identified, a blood test will tell if an individual dog is a carrier, clear, or likely to become an affected (even before symptoms begin). Using this information, breeders can choose breeding partners who will not produce additional affected puppies.

Researchers working on this project need information from affected dogs and their families. Specifically, what is needed is a 3- to 5-generation pedigree of the litter where an affected dog (or dogs) appeared, and blood samples from the affected dog(s), full siblings, parents, and when possible, the grandparents. More distant relatives are potentially useful, but the most important samples are from the affected dogs, their siblings, and parents. Family groups are important so that the genotype of the affected dogs can be compared to that of close relatives who are not affected, and allow researchers to decipher how these genes are inherited from one generation to the next. An affected dog with little or no family available may also be of some use. Participation in the project is confidential - the names of dogs and owners who participate in the research will not be revealed. When the research produces results, individual owners will be able to request the results of testing on their own dogs. Results of research are published in such a way that the identity of individual dogs is anonymous.

There is a packet of information sheets and forms for submitting samples. You may make copies and distribute them to other interested breeders and owners. The packet can be downloaded at the Canine Epilepsy Network website, www.canine-epilepsy.net or, upon request, may be faxed or mailed to you. A grant from the AKC Canine Health Foundation (Active Grant #1845) allows participation in this research to be opened to affected dogs and their families in ALL breeds of dogs, at no cost to the owners or the breed parent clubs. As of February 20, 2001, samples have been received from nearly 2600 dogs representing 62 different breeds. Researchers are continuing to looking for samples from families where epilepsy has appeared, from any breed. In addition to helping your own breed, it is hoped that information discovered in one breed may help locate mutations in others as well. Please spread the word of this research to anyone who has an affected dog or a relative of an affected dog, and to veterinarians and others who may come in contact with other dogs and owners who should be included. There is no cost to participate, other than a vet fee for drawing a blood sample (many vets are doing this at a reduced cost to support the research) and overnight shipping charges to the lab ($15-$35 from most places in the country via FedEx, UPS, or US Mail). If you have any questions, or need additional information, please contact project coordinator Liz Hansen via one of the methods listed below. Thank you for your interest and participation!

Liz Hansen
Coordinator of Veterinary Information
Animal Molecular Genetics Lab - Dept. of Vet. Path.
321 Connaway Hall
College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211
573-884-3712 (office phone)
573-884-5414 (department fax)
HansenL@missouri.edu (email)

DNA Research

· Canine Epilepsy Network
· Canine Epilepsy Network - Downloadable Submission Forms

Additional pages about Epilepsy

·        Guardian Angels Epilepsy Page
·        Genetic Research Strategies: The Example of Canine Epilepsy
·        Epilepsy Resource Center
·        Genetics of Canine Epilepsy

Breed Info