Canine Epilepsy Research Projects

American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation
Texas A & M
Vet Gen
Morris Animal Foundation
Breed-Specific DNA Epilepsy Research Projects (as of March 5th. 1999)

AKC/CHF

AKC/CHF approved grants to study the molecular genetics of canine epilepsy. Dr. Gary Johnson of the University of Missouri at Columbia will receive a one-year $16,000 grant for a study titled "Molecular Genetic Basis of Epilepsy in Standard Schnauzers and English Springer Spaniels."

Dr. James Mickelson of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine was approved for a two-year $57,000 grant for a study titled "Canine Epilepsy: Determining the Mode of Inheritance, Mapping the Genes, and Developing a Linkage Test." This is a comprehensive study that will include a number of breeds, including Vizsla and the Beagle. Johnson and Mickleson will colaborate on their study of epilepsy in the English Springer Spaniel.

The following abstracts appear at this URL http://www.akcchf.org/rpsummar.htm

Observation on Typing Canine Epilepsies Moving Towards Eventual Genetic Classification

Joanne Parent, D.V.M. University de Montreal

Clinical and Diagnostic Aspects of Canine Epilepsy, with Particular Reference To Differentiating Genetic And Non-Genetic Epilepsy

Dr. M. Podell; Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210

Standard Poodles & Canine Epilepsy . The short-term goal of the research that is presented is to identify the mode(s) of inheritance in Standard Poodles.

With help from the Dalmatian Club of America, Dalmatians have now been included in the "Reliability Study " phase of this research project. DCA has also donated funds to help with the project. B. Licht; Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL blicht@psy.fsu.edu

Statistical Evidence for a Single Gene of Large Effect on Epilepsy in the Belgian Tervuren

T. R. Famula and A. M. Oberbauer; Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA,U.S.A.

For more information on the AKC/CHF contact:
AKC Canine Health Foundation
251 W Garfield Rd, Ste 160
Aurora OH 44202
phone 330-995-0807
www.akcchf.org
all donations are tax-deductible

VetGen

VetGen Has been Awarded Grants from the National Institute of Health and the AKC Canine Health Foundation to Study Canine Hereditary Epilepsy for information on how to participate in this research please click on the paw

VetGen, the world's leader in veterinary genetic disease research and test development, will focus on discovering new disease genes responsible for hereditary epilepsy in dogs and humans. This research will be funded by a NIH grant entitled "Canine Gene Discovery and Epilepsy Therapy" as well as funds from the AKC Canine Health Foundation. Dr. George Brewer, VetGen's Scientific Director is the Principal Investigator. The goal is to develop a linked gene marker to one or more canine epilepsy genes. Developing such linkages is expected to lead to new gene discoveries benefiting both therapy in humans and genetic testing in dogs. VetGen will focus on collecting samples from families of Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs in which hereditary epilepsy has been documented.

Recently Beagles, Dalmatians, English Springer Spaniels Irish Setter & Vizla's have been added.

Your help is quickly needed to further this research! VetGen will focus on collecting DNA sample from families of Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs in which two or more dogs have been diagnosed with hereditary epilepsy. Informative families of other breeds are also welcome to participate in this research, because similar studies will soon follow in other breeds. To carry out the study we collect samples from affected dogs and their close relatives. Participation in all of VetGen's research is completely free and confidential. Cheek swabs are used to collect DNA samples from the inside of the dog's mouth making participation very easy.

Please call our Pedigree Collection Department at (800) 483-8436 to learn more about participating in this cutting edge canine research project. With the help of breeders, we can identify the gene(s) responsible for this disease and by appropriate breeding, greatly reduce this major health problem.

www.vetgen.com

Morris Animal Foundation

1) Karen Munana, DVM, and others are conducting a two-year study, "Evaluation of Vagal Nerve Stimulation as a Treatment for Refractory Canine Seizures", at North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. "Stimulation of the the vagal nerve is a proven treatment for epilepsy in humans, and the investigators are evaluating the effectiveness of this treatment in dogs with poorly controlled seizures."

2) Martin J. Fettman D.V.M. Colorado State University, is initiating a 2-year study, "Dietary Effects on Phenobarbital Pharmacokinetics in Canine Epilepsy." Current treatments for epilepsy are generally directed at controlling recurrent seizures. Phenobarbital is the drug of choice for managing this condition. Differences in a dog's diet, body composition, and metabolic rate may alter the metabolism of phenobarbital. Dr. Fettman is studying these differences as they relate to optimum dosages of phenobarbital to treat epilepsy. Morris Animal Foundation is funding this canine epilepsy study with co-sponsorship support from Ivy and Ken Kail / The Moose Project.

Morris Animal Foundation
http://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/

45 Inverness Drive East
Englewood, Colorado 80112
Toll free (800) 243-2345
(303) 790-2345

Breed-Specific DNA Epilepsy Research Projects (as of March 5th 1999)

SPORTING GROUP: Brittanys
researcher: Dr. Gary Johnson (U of MO) - vmgaryj@vetmed.missouri.edu
breed coordinator: Wendy Archinal - archinal@wadsworth.org; Pointers
researcher: Dr. Gary Johnson (U of MO) - vmgaryj@vetmed.missouri.edu
breed coordinator: Pam Waitman - pwaitman@AGFINANCE.COM; Retrievers, Golden
researcher: Dr. George Brewer (Vet Gen) -healthydog@vetgen.com
breed coordinator: (unknown); Setters, Irish
researcher: Dr. Gary Johnson (U of MO) - vmgaryj@vetmed.missouri.edu
breed coordinator: Dr. Gary Brown - phone 510-657-6343, FAX 510-657-6855; Spaniels, English Springer
researchers: Dr. Ned Patterson (U of MN) - patte037@tc.umn.edu
& Dr. Gary Johnson (U of MO) - vmgaryj@vetmed.missouri.edu
breed coordinator: Karen Foster - georgian.kf@mindspring.com; Spaniels, Welsh Springer
researcher: Dr. Gary Johnson (U of MO) - vmgaryj@vetmed.missouri.edu
breed coordinator: Dr. Colleen M. O'Keefe - cok13@fgi.net; Spaniels, American Water; researcher: Dr. Gary Johnson (U of MO) - vmgaryj@vetmed.missouri.edu; breed co-ordinator : Beth Lagimoniere -rottnaws@earthlink.net; breed co-ordinator : Linda Forde- fordclaws@tfb.com; Vizslas
researcher: Dr. Ned Patterson (U of MN) - patte037@tc.umn.edu
breed coordinator: (not yet decided)
HOUND GROUP: Beagles
researcher: Dr. Ned Patterson (U of MN) - patte037@tc.umn.edu
breed coordinator: (unknown); Irish Wolfhounds
researcher: several (U of PA)
breed coordinator: Anne Janis - iwstudy@earthlink.net

WORKING GROUP

Newfoundlands
researcher: Dr. George Brewer (VetGen) -healthydog@vetgen.com
breed coordinator: (unknown)

Rottweilers
researcher: Dr. Gary Johnson (U of MO) - vmgaryj@vetmed.missouri.edu
breed coordinator: (not yet decided)

St. Bernards
researcher: Dr. Gary Johnson (U of MO) - vmgaryj@vetmed.missouri.edu
breed coordinator: Penny Mahon - bigdog@wco.com

Standard Schnauzers
researcher: Dr. Gary Johnson (U of MO) - vmgaryj@vetmed.missouri.edu
breed coordinators: Liz Hansen -SkbkSchnzr@aol.com
Penny Duffee

Great Dane
researcher: Dr. Gary Johnson (U of MO) - vmgaryj@vetmed.missouri.edu
breed coordinator: (not yet decided)

Siberian Husky
researcher: Dr. Gary Johnson (U of MO) - vmgaryj@vetmed.missouri.edu
breed coordinator: (pending)

TERRIER GROUP - no known projects

TOY GROUP - no known projects

NON-SPORTING GROUP


Herding Group
Australian Shepherds
researcher: Dr. George Brewer (VetGen) -healthydog@vetgen.com
breed coordinator: (unknown)
Belgian Tervuren
researcher: T.R. Famula & A.M. Oberbauer (U of CA-Davis)
breed coordinator: (unknown)
Collies
researcher: Dr. George Brewer (VetGen) - healthydog@vetgen.com
breed coordinator: Barbara Schwartz - Impcolly@aol.com
Shetland Sheepdogs
researcher: Dr. George Brewer (VetGen) - healthydog@vetgen.com
breed coordinator: (unknown)
Old English Sheepdog researchers: Dr. Jerold Bell (Tufts) - geneticvet@aol.com
& Dr. Gary Johnson (U of MO) - vmgaryj@vetmed.missouri.edu
breed coordinator: Victoria Kremer - boreas@netwrx.net

NON-AKC / RARE BREEDS
Chinooks
researcher: Dr. Jerold Bell (Tufts) - geneticvet@aol.com
& Dr. Gary Johnson - vmgaryj@vetmed.missouri.edu
breed coordinator: Nancy Bartol -

Forms for submitting samples for research at the University of Missouri (Columbia)

can be downloaded at this URL http://www.canine-epilepsy.net

Page last update: 12/13/2011