Last Updated on April 14, 2014 : :

The data collection for the study on Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Idiopathic Epilepsy in the Italian Spinone in the UK has been completed. The numerous variables are undergoing analysis and will be presented at an international conference in September.

The interim results suggest that the prevalence of Idiopathic Epilepsy  in the Italian Spinonein the UK is greater than the 0.6% prevalence estimated in epileptic dogs of numerous breeds in first opinion practice in UK. Seizures are commonly generalised tonic-clonic and frequently occur in clusters. More than 50% of Spinoni required more than one antiepileptic medication and seizure control was often challenging. Epilepsy related mortality rate was higher than previously reported in other canine breeds.

The list of Spinoni identified with Idiopathic Epilepsy based on the clinical study had been provided to the AHT genetic group and DNA collection is ongoing.  We have sent DNA collection kits to the owners of all the dogs with Idiopathic Epilepsy that Dr Luisa De Risio has identified, that we think are still alive.  Once we have received most of those samples we will start the DNA analysis stage of the project.