Epilepsy from German bred sires - Page 4

Blitzen, your Dylan sounds just like my dear Dexter, it's lucky that have such great natures when they have to suffer so much treatment, as it makes it so much easier. Dexter let us do anything to him at all, so we were able to keep him with us as long as possible. Thing is, it hurts all the more when you do eventually lose them. Thanks for your support.

The epilespy thing is an ongoing discussion in my other breed. More and more dogs are seizuring at a younger age and there is definitely a familial relationship. One of the big winners at our recent national specialty is out of a bitch well known to produce epilepsy, but she is bred every year since she produces dogs that win in the show ring. These puppies are sold to novices who don't know any better and to other breeders who frankly don't give a damn or who are in denial regarding the mode of inheritance. Where do you think that breed is heading? Breeders who breed lines that are known to produce epilepsy are not doing the breed any good; it doesn't take long for the gene pool to become corrupted, one generation in dog years is only about 2, 3 years; if it continues you will see more seizuring dogs with each passing generation. Don't take it lightly and don't justify your peers for careless breeding practices when they are aware of what they are doing. There is a huge difference between unknowingly breeding dogs that carry the gene/genes for epilepsy and knowingly breeding them.

Rightly said Blitzen. Anyone who is in denial regarding the mode of inheritance needs to read up on the illness a bit more. The UK kennel Club's genetisist Malcolm Willis states there is a hereditary form in the GSD in his great book 'The German Shepherd Dog', as does Sheila Rankin in 'The Ultimate GSD', and also Steve Dean, one time breeding maanger of the Metropolitan Police Dogs, who wrote a lengthy article in a GSD League newsletter about 10 yrs back & describing a clear genetic link. He found that when a particular stud dog was mated to a particular line epilepsy was produced. When there is such clear evidence of a genetic link, I wonder how people can sensibly argue against the fact.

You are correct Lily..there is a hereditary link, Quadrille of Eveley was a known producer of epilepsy in the uk You are right to try to find out where it is coming from, You are saying your puppy is all German, so no Quadrille That has been the problem for many years now, if Quadrille was found in a pedigree of a epileptic animal that is where the finger was pointed we need more research on the different lines that are now producing this problem.

This article is worth reading: http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/overview.html Seizures are the result of muscle responses to an abnormal nerve-signal burst from the brain. They are a symptom of an underlying neurological dysfunction. Toxic substances, metabolic or electrolyte abnormalities and/or imbalances cause an uncoordinated firing of neurons in the cerebrum of the brain, creating seizures from mild "petit mal " to severe "grand mal". There are four basic stages to a seizure: The Prodome: may precede the seizure by hours or days. It is characterized by changes in mood or behavior. The Aura: signals the start of a seizure. Nervousness, whining, trembling, salivation, affection, wandering, restlessness, hiding and apprehension are all signals. The Ictus, the actual seizure:. A period of intense physical activity usually lasting 45 seconds to 3 minutes. The dog may lose consciousness and fall to the ground. There may be teeth gnashing, frantic thrashing of limbs, excessive drooling, vocalizing, paddling of feet, uncontrollable urination and defecation. The Post Ictus/Ictal: after the seizure, the dog may pace endlessly, appear blind and deaf and eat or drink excessively. The Cause: anything that disrupts normal brain circuitry: Idiopathic Epilepsy: meaning no known cause and possibly inherited. This is also referred to as Primary Epilepsy. Check history of pedigree and make sure your veterinarian has looked for possible underlying factors. Seizures caused by underlying factors are referred to as Secondary Epilepsy. The following tests are advised before a diagnosis of idiopathic/inherited epilepsy is made. continued at: http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/overview.html

alro read these documents: http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/Resources.html http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/ http://www.canine-epilepsy.net/basics/basics_index.html http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/medical/epilepsy.html http://www.nichols-online.co.uk/html/canine_epilepsy.html

Thank you Carol B & Videx. I will look up the sites you have listed. As mentioned we have had an MRI & lumber puncture, also tests for storage diseases, infections, etc. She is believed to have an inflammatory disease of the nervous system, but have also been told it could be idiopathic/inherited epilepsy. When we feel that she is up to a hip x-ray (and when we can afford it) we will have one done & if the results show her lameness is due to HD, not neuro problems (which is what I expect as I can hear her hips click at times) then idiopathic/inherited epilepsy will look more likely. Anyway, i will go to the sites now, thanks.

Carol B, it will be difficult to research this as there is bound to be a cover up, but already several cases from abroad have come to light. Just before my pup went to the RVC I found a posting on this site headed 'wobbly puppy' (search this on the messageboard, it's quite far back). The lady who posted the message had a pup with neurological symptoms & took it to the RVC where it was diagnosed with epilepsy, this pup was from 'top German lines' I got the impression that she knew the breeders & didn't want to be disloyal to them, so I asked if it would be possible to phone her & tell her the parents of my pup & she could just say yes, or no as to whether they appeared on her pups pedigree at all. This would not be disloyal to anyone. I have not heard anything back. But it does not end there, in the Our Dogs Seigar supplement an article states that there have been 'reports of more new animals developing epilepsy. Two have come from abroad.' What if these two cases, the case I read about on this site & my puppy (from top German lines)all came from the same line? It's a minute possibility, but it is still a possibility. That's what is worrying me.

Can you not send you pedigree to whoever wrote the report in the supplement and see if there is a connection.. Maybe writing to the breed council will help you in some.

A system of reporting suspected Epilepsy in a GSD should be introduced in the UNITED KINGDOM. I suggest that where there is a suspected case, ALL information about the GSD should be sent to the Secretary of the GSD Breed Council. The GSD Breed Council should agree this procedure and establish a system of thorough examination into all 'suspect' pedigrees, and agree that DNA samples are also taken for analysis through the Kennel Club, for research into any genetic connection for this disease.