Blood
Submission Instructions and Questionnaire
Belgian Tervuren, Belgian Sheepdog, Giant Schnauzer,
English Mastiff, Miniature Poodle, Standard Poodle & Toy Poodle
CGAP Home FAQs Update Health of Previously Submitted Dogs
A seizure is a convulsion caused by abnormal bursts of electrical activity in the brain. They may last from seconds to minutes. Some characteristics of seizures will include jerking of the limbs, anxiety, salivation, vocalizing, and loss of bodily functions (urination/defecation). Epilepsy can be caused by metabolic disorders, infectious diseases, brain injury, toxins, or brain tumors. A genetic seizure condition can occur in dogs called idiopathic (of unknown cause) or inherited epilepsy. Since a dog with idiopathic epilepsy shows no recognizable abnormalities, it is assumed to be an inherited condition in most breeds and demonstrated to be heritable in some breeds. Treatment of seizures is usually two-fold which includes treatment of the underlying problem (infection, tumor, injury) and reducing or eliminating the seizure episodes with anticonvulsant medication.
Blood
Submission Instructions and Questionnaire
JANUARY 2008
Call for Blood Samples for Addison’s and Epilepsy Diseases
Although we continue to collect DNA from buccal swab samples, newer research technologies require DNA extracted from blood samples. Thus, we are seeking blood samples from affected and unaffected dogs. Affected dogs with veterinary diagnosis can be submitted from dogs of any age. For unaffected dogs, we especially need samples from dogs over the age of 7 years that are free from the disease.
The
mode of inheritance has been defined for the Belgian Tervuren and Belgian
Sheepdog. The goal of this aspect
of the AKC Canine Health Foundation funded research study being done in
collaboration with the American Belgian Tervuren Club and the Belgian Sheepdog
Club of America, is to identify and
develop a genetic marker linked to idiopathic epilepsy that will allow breeders
to make more informed breeding decisions. To
this end, we need information on dogs that are affected and
unaffected with the disease. We
thank you in advance for your interest and participation in the study.
Please visit our FAQs
site for additional information concerning
submission of samples or visit the
American Belgian Tervuren website for
specific details about the Belgian Tervuren study.
Funded by AKC Canine Health Foundation and the Seizures Disorder Committee of the Mastiff Club of America. The study is designed to characterize the mode of inheritance of idiopathic Epilepsy in ALL Poodle varieties, Giant Schnauzers and English Mastiffs. If you are willing to participate in this confidential study, please download a blood sample submission form or request a kit that contains a questionnaire on your dog’s health status and swabs for the collection of DNA. We need both affected and unaffected dogs. The FAQs link will answer many of your questions regarding the study. We appreciate your support and interest in the study.
All disease information referenced from the
UC Davis Book of Dogs
UC Davis book of dogs : the complete medical reference guide for dogs and puppies,
by the Faculty and Staff, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California at Davis ;
edited by Mordecai Siegal, consulting editor, Jeffrey E. Barlough. 1st ed. New York : HarperCollins Publishers, 1995.