Knowledge Hub
Access valuable information to help pet owners and veterinarians improve canine health and quality of life.
Research Aims to Improve Quality of Life for Dogs with Epilepsy
Just like people, dogs can suffer from epilepsy. This seizure disorder is characterized by uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain resulting in abnormal movements,
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Epilepsy Research
The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) funds research to better understand and develop more effective treatments for canine epilepsy.
Read More03401-MOU: Clinical characteristics and heritability of idiopathic epilepsy in the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen
Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disorder in dogs. Over half of affected dogs are diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy, a clinical syndrome characterized by repeated seizures for which there is no underlying cause other than a presumed genetic predisposition. An inherited basis for epilepsy has been established in over 25 dog breeds, including the […]
Read More03439-MOU: Molecular Genetic Basis of Epilepsy in Standard Schnauzers
A recent Standard Schnauzer health survey estimated that the prevalence of epilepsy in the Standard Schnauzer population is about 1.3%. Our goal is to identify the molecular genetic basis of the disorder. Based on the cases we have evaluated, it appears that the disease is inherited as a recessive X-chromosome linked trait. If we can […]
Read MoreResearch Outcome: 02248: Identification of a Novel Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy Gene and Its Underlying Disease Mechanism
Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder in dogs. The term epilepsy refers to recurrent seizures resulting from an abnormality in brain function. The condition can be inherited (genetic epilepsy), caused by structural problems in the brain (symptomatic epilepsy), or may be of unknown cause (idiopathic epilepsy). Determination of the appropriate treatment for canine epilepsy, […]
Read More02533-E: 2018 Summer Veterinary Student Educational Grant- CSU
The AKC Canine Health Foundation will be pleased to support a summer veterinary student educational grant for Katie Redd, working with Dr. Stephanie McGrath on her AKC CHF-funded research grant ID 02323. We are able to provide a total of $6,000 for salary and travel to the summer scholars conference.
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A Clinical Trial of Medium-Chain Triglyceride Oil for the Treatment of Canine Epilepsy
Introduction Canine epilepsy affects a significant number of dogs, and for about one-third of them, seizures persist despite appropriate anti-seizure medications. These ongoing seizures, along with medication side effects and behavioral changes, can negatively impact quality of life. Recent research funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation is exploring dietary approaches to help manage epilepsy […]
Read More00224: Characterizing Idiopathic Epilepsy in the Poodle, Giant Schnauzer, English Mastiff: An Assessment of Inheritance
Idiopathic epilepsy afflicts many dogs, in fact, epilepsy is listed as being a major health concern by 35 Parent Clubs. In some breeds, epilepsy has been established to be an inherited disorder although the mode of inheritance differs. For the Poodle, Giant Schnauzer, and English Mastiff, three breeds in which epilepsy is a recognized health […]
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Evidence for the Use of CBD to Treat Canine Idiopathic Epilepsy
Introduction If your dog suffers from epilepsy, you know how heartbreaking and unpredictable seizures can be. A new study funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) offers hope: cannabidiol (CBD) oil may help reduce seizure frequency in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. This breakthrough research, conducted at Colorado State University, shows that CBD oil could […]
Read More03039: Prognostic Biomarkers for the Development of Drug Resistance in Dogs with Idiopathic Epilepsy
Idiopathic epilepsy is the most common cause of epilepsy in dogs, affecting 650,000-6,000,000 dogs in the US, Canada and Germany alone. Current treatment of idiopathic epilepsy is limited to anti-seizure drugs. Unfortunately, around 30% of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy will require lifelong treatment with two or more drugs to control their epilepsy and are thus […]
Read More03255-MOU: Clinical Characteristics and Heritability of Idiopathic Epilepsy in the Otterhound Breed: A Survey-based Study
Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disorder in dogs. Over half of all dogs with epilepsy are diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy, a clinical syndrome characterized by recurrent seizures for which there is no underlying cause other than a presumed genetic predisposition. An inherited basis for idiopathic epilepsy has been established in over 25 dog […]
Read MoreThe Gut Microbiome and Canine Epilepsy
The gut microbiome is defined as the large collection of microscopic organisms (archaea, viruses, and mostly bacteria) that reside in the intestinal tract. In both humans and dogs, these microbes play an important role in health – assisting with metabolism, protecting against pathogens, and interacting with the immune system. There is increasing interest in the […]
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The Genetics of Idiopathic Epilepsy in the Belgian Sheepdog and Belgian Tervuren
Introduction Idiopathic epilepsy is the most common medical neurologic disorder in dogs. It is defined as seizures with no identifiable cause. Despite appropriate anti-convulsant therapy, approximately 30% of affected dogs continue to have seizures. Because idiopathic epilepsy is more common in the Belgian Sheepdog and Belgian Tervuren, genetics are believed to play a role in […]
Read More00762: The Mapping and Characterization of Canine Epilepsy Loci
The projects investigators collected DNA from nearly 10,000 epileptic dogs and their close relatives and they have assembled epilepsy?family pedigrees in 28 different dog breeds. The investigators have re?contacted the owners of over 2,000 dogs in this collection to obtain additional clinical information or to confirm that the “normal” dogs have remained seizure free. They […]
Read More00598: Candidate Gene Markers for Epilepsy in Beagles and Other Breeds
Epilepsy is a serious, late onset, often-heritable seizure disorder affecting a large number of breeds. The variability in phenotypes and inheritance pattern between breeds suggests that many different genes are likely to contribute to canine epilepsy. Whole genome scanning approaches with microsatellite markers are currently underway to attempt to identify chromosomal regions linked to epilepsy […]
Read More02566: Genetics of Idiopathic Epilepsy in Labrador Retrievers
Epilepsy is the most common neurological disease in dogs and affects most breeds. Prevalence estimates vary from 1% up to 20% depending on the breed, suggesting a genetic contribution. Despite several gene discoveries that have been made in both symptomatic and idiopathic epilepsies, the genetic background in most dog breeds remains unknown, hampering progress in […]
Read More02133: Canine Epilepsy: Genetic Variants, Biomarkers, and New Therapies
Epilepsy is a significant seizure disorder affecting all dog breeds. It is the most common chronic nervous system disorder in dogs, with a prevalence of 0.5% – 5.7%, resulting in approximately 2 million affected dogs in the USA. We have assembled a trans-disciplinary team to attempt to improve the fate of dogs that have epilepsy […]
Read More02249-A: Studying the Role of the Gastrointestinal Tract in Canine Epilepsy
Epilepsy is the most common nervous system disorder of dogs. Approximately one-third of dogs with epilepsy fail to achieve adequate seizure control with anti-seizure medication, and are considered to have drug resistant epilepsy. The mechanisms that lead to drug resistance are poorly understood. Alterations in the population of intestinal bacteria in the Lactobacillus group are […]
Read More02940: Investigating Neuronal Network Connectivity in Dogs with Idiopathic Epilepsy using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Idiopathic epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disorder of dogs, for which the cause remains poorly understood, and the standard of care is limited to symptomatic treatment with anti-seizure drugs. Outcomes are frequently unsuccessful, underscoring the critical need to better understand the underlying physiology responsible for seizures in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy, if more […]
Read More0001845: Molecular Genetic Causes of Canine Epilepsies
Epilepsy is one of the most common diseases of the nervous system in dogs. The effects of repeated seizures can be devastating physically for the affected dogs and emotionally for the people who care for them. Epilepsy is known to be inherited in several breeds and genetics is thought to play a key role in […]
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