Schipperkes and Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a common occurrence in many breeds.  The genetic marker is proving to hard to find as it is not a simple recessive gene.  The following University is currently doing a study on epi.  If you have a schip that seizes and would like to participate, use the link below for more information.

The University of Missouri Study

http://www.canine-epilepsy.net/cerc.html
 

The Canine Epilepsy Project is a collaborative study into the causes
of epilepsy in dogs. It is supported by grants from the AKC Canine
Health Foundation (CHF), National Institutes of Health (NIH),
individual breed clubs and private donations. Grants supporting this
research are CHF Completed Grant #1718, CHF Completed Grant #1729,
CHF Completed Grant #1845, CHF Active Grant #2252, CHF Active Grant
#2304, and NIH Award #1K08NS0224501.

Our goal is to find the genes responsible for epilepsy in dogs so
that wise breeding can decrease the incidence of the disease in
dogs. We also hope that knowing what genes regulate epilepsy in dogs
may help us better tailor our therapy to the specific cause.

The objectives of our investigations into hereditary canine epilepsy
are:
1. Recruit samples from a large number of affected individuals and
their immediate family members (siblings, parents, and
grandparents), from many breeds of dogs.
2. Evaluate the genotype of selected families to search for linkage
between DNA markers and clinical epilepsy, then use this information
to identify the causative mutation or mutations.
3. Devise a DNA marker test that detects and distinguishes normal
and mutant (epilepsy-causing) alleles, and make this test available
to dog breeders so that they can produce epilepsy-free dogs.

Dog clubs can contribute to the success of this project by making
their members aware that this research is underway, and encouraging
those who have affected dogs or relatives to participate.
 

To learn more about epilepsy visit the Canine Epilepsy Network.

http://www.canine-epilepsy.net/