Re: [pyrnet] seizure question

[JGentzel@aol.com]

In a message dated 7/24/00 11:16:02 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
alison_chorney@yahoo.com writes:

<<  Seizures can be
 controlled by some anticonvulsants, Phenobarb, for one
 or an emergency supply of Diazapam may be issued by
 the vet for home use.  I was told that because Merlin
 was young, that the seizures would be hard to control
 due to the amount of brain growth that still needed to
 occur.  If you would like to send me a private e-mail,
 I would be more than happy to answer any other
 questions for you. >>

It can be caused from trauma or toxic reaction, but when you rule this out, 
prudence dictates that you assume some genetic link.  Even if you are wrong 
it will make no difference in the treatment the dog gets or the love you give 
it.  It might make a difference to someone if under the assumption, the dog 
is not bred or not bred again if it has already been bred.  All puppies for 
dogs with epilepsy should be considered at hight risk for the condition and 
one might consider eliminating these dogs from their breeding program as 
well. 

Typically you see somewhat later onset i.e. 3 years.  Early onset is not a 
good sign usually.  Later onset is worse sometimes in that you are so 
emotionally attached to the dog.  Some breeders always say they never had the 
problem, but in truth have it in many dogs and breed close i.e. family 
members actively having epilepsy.  Many excuses for a growing problem, but 
the solution is to breed clear animals and eliminate all animals that have 
the problem or even whose close family, (Sire, Dam, Littermates) have an 
incidence from your breeding program.  many of these folks will say, 
"everyone has it", " we cannot discard all our great breeding stock, because 
there would be no dogs", or the classic "lets not throw out the baby with the 
bathwater".  They are wrong on all accounts.

It is a hard cruel problem and I am sorry any one of you will face it.  In 
fact many of you will face it. It took courage for Alison Chorney to talk 
about her dog.  We need more open info like this.

Joe

Joe