Epilepsy Research Update
Epilepsy update – Collaboration brings power to the table! Please follow the link below to read the latest update on the Canine Genetic Centre's research project into idiopathic epilepsy. The…
Please use our health reporting form to let us know of any instances of seizures so that we can include them in our health database by clicking the Report Health button in the menu or click here.
Epilepsy Study Swab Pathway
The Epilepsy study swab pathway is shown below.
Please choose which pathway you would like to take either:
PATHWAY 1 Affected dogs
or
PATHWAY 2 Unaffected dogs
Please also Note: If you sent any previous Epilepsy study swabs to the AHT you will not need to repeat them
Please click on Read More to view the full pathway.
AHT Update January 2018
The ISCGB and AHT are delighted to announce that samples for a second GWAS (genome scan) for Idiopathic Epilepsy in the Italian Spinone have been sent off for genotyping. This…
AHT Update February 2017
What stage are we at with this research?
In early 2015, scientists at the AHT conducted a Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS), or DNA scan, in the Italian Spinone to search for regions of the DNA that might be involved in idiopathic epilepsy. Our cases were 30 Italian Spinoni confirmed as having idiopathic epilepsy by Dr Luisa De Risio, Head of Neurology at the AHT, through survey or examination at the AHT. The controls used were 29 Italian Spinoni over the age of seven which had never had a seizure. We were unable to identify any regions of the DNA that are associated with epilepsy in the Italian Spinone. To take this research further we would ideally like to repeat the GWAS with an additional 30 cases and 30 controls.
Epilepsy Breeding Guidelines
Consideration needs to be given at all times to the fact that we do not know how this condition is inherited. Our gene pool is very small and we should not be excluding dogs or lines from being bred without good reason.
Calling All Spinone Owners and Breeders
Calling all Spinone owners and breeders past and present. If you have ever owned or bred a Spinone that has had one or more seizures please support the ISCGB…
RVC Pexion Research Study
As part of BARC (Bio-Acquisition Research Collaboration), the Kennel Club would like to inform you of the current study by the Royal Veterinary College, investigating the effects of the anti-epileptic…
AHT Epilepsy Update November 2015
The genetics work is currently waiting for more samples so we can do a second round of genetic analysis. We urgently need a further 11 samples from affected dogs (FROM…
AHT Breeding Advice
Here is the AHT’s current advice for breeding from dogs who are related to confirmed idiopathic epileptics.
The over-enthusiastic removal of too many dogs from our gene pool could reduce the diversity of the breed and bring other inherited diseases to the fore. Relations of confirmed idiopathic epileptics (siblings, offspring, parents) that are used for breeding, should be mated to a dog that has no common ancestors within 3 generations. Click on Read More for the full AHT article.
AHT Epilepsy Research Update
What stage are we at with this research?
Scientists at the AHT have conducted a genome-wide association study (genome scan) in the Italian Spinone in an attempt to identify regions of the DNA that might be involved in idiopathic epilepsy, as currently the mode of inheritance or genetic complexity of idiopathic epilepsy in this breed is unknown. This report summarises the results of our investigations and suggests future directions.