What Breeders Don't Like To Talk About

by Alice Brock

It's a fact. Our breed has a serious-although seldom spoken of-hereditary problem. As breeders, we look for a reason why. But we don’t talk about it. This problem affects many other breeds as well, and it was to my disappointment that there were only 15 websites that hit on this problem. Research for this dreaded disease is even supported by AKC's Canine Health Foundation. It's a much larger problem than we are willing to recognize.

What am I talking about? The dreaded words are Canine Epilepsy (CE).  Inherited conditions such as hip dysplasia and juvenile cataracts are manageable problems for the most part. Years of research for those genetic issues have proven successful in avoiding those problems in your breeding program. However, you feel defenseless when a dog is experiencing a seizure. Was it caused by an infection? Was it caused be a blow to the head? Or, have I got a real problem? Was it my bitch or the stud? Does it take both? CE affects anywhere from four to fourteen percent of all dogs. The higher number is found in specific breeds.

Often we wait until the problem has surfaced before we begin research. I encourage you to begin now! Don't hesitate to read. Learn all you can. Participate in the ongoing research. Why wait until the problem surfaces?

A great place to start is by reading this article: http://www.abap.org/epilepsy.htm. This site provides general information on the problem and can help put the disease in perspective. The University of Missouri's Veterinary School has also provided an excellent site for information, http://www.canine-epilepsy.net. Under their "Canine Epilepsy Basics," excellent information is given on how to eliminate outside causes. Up-to-date detailed information is provided under "Research," detailing all breeds that are participating in their ongoing research. (By the way, there are only 49 Australian shepherds.) Their "Links" provides you with websites that have discussion groups and support groups.

If you are a dog owner living with a dog that is afflicted with CE, I commend you. You can find more information and support at http://www.canine-epilepsy.com or http://www.canine-epilepsy.net. Read about other dog owners' experiences with CE dogs at http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com.

As a breeder I encourage you to get to the bottom of the problem. This may require something as easy as record keeping or seeking a final diagnosis through a necropsy. The easiest solution when you have a problem is to discuss it. But the only way we are going to learn to control this disease is through breeder cooperation.

Let's start talking.