Border Collie Epilepsy

[bcjake]

I received a call tonight from the breeder we got our 9 month old Border Collie from. The pup's dad was recently diagnosed with epilepsy. Unknown about the mom. She said there's a 50/50 chance Jake could develop it and offered to replace the dog if he did. Nice offer, but if I'm still as attached (or more) if he does get it, I'd rather deal with it than just "trade him in for a new model." I haven't done any research on dog epilepsy and probably won't for awhile, as I'm wrapped up with our refugee, Ozzy the Aussie. I know it can be treated with meds and he can live out a normal life just like humans. Is there really anything else I need to know? She also said if he develops it, it will be when he's around 5-6 years old.

[Duke'sMommy]

I dont know really anything about epilepsy in dogs but they can develop epilepsy way before 5 or 6. There is a border collie at a local shelter that is 2 years old and he has epilepsy and is being treated for it. Like I said I dont really know anything about it but I dont think age really plays a factor when the epilepsy starts to show.

Is there a test of any kind that a vet can do to test for epilepsy or is it just a waiting game to play??

[Duke'sMommy]

Here is a link to a website that has some information on it. Might give you a heads up and help you out abit. Good for a quick read.

http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/medical/epilepsy.html

Hope your pup doesnt end up with it. All the best.

[bubbatd]

I think it's a waiting game with fingers and toes crossed . Many are treated and are fine . Good luck !!!

[casablanca1]

My brother has two (unrelated) epileptic dogs and I get the impression it's like diabetes - not directly fatal, controllable with medication but a bigger problem than it's often made out to be, and does affect their quality and length of life. His dogs are on medication and are living normal lives for the most part, but he seems to have to take them back to the vet every few months to tinker with doses and medicine. And seizures are extremely distressing to witness for the owners and for the dogs to experience. I hope your dog doesn't have this problem.

[Jynx]

I must say, it was really nice of your breeder to alert you to this. Some wouldn't bother!

Good luck with him, hope he doesn't get any..
diane

[SeniorPetLover]

I'm going through it with a lab right now...just out of the blue, he had a cluster of siezures one day. My vet started him on phenalbarbitol (sp) after a series of blood tests...the medication worked for a couple of weeks, then he had another cluster last night...his diagnosis is idiopathic epilepsy...he upped the doasge, but I am a nervous wreck...

[adoptashelterpettoday]

I was told epilepsy usually develops around 2.

I have an eplileptic Dalmatian. I dont want to be discouraging but he does not live a "normal" life by any means. He is very lethargic, he gets confused easily, he has a contstant appetite.. I have to give him 2 large doses of phenobarbital a day so he doesnt have seizures. He still has one ocassionally.

I have heard people talk about natural cures but quite honestly I am not willing to take the chance of him having a massive seizure because I chose to do things the "natural way" and not the way I KNOW works.

I really truly hope your dog doesnt get epilepsy it is very hard to deal with.

[bcjake]

There may be another cause to the epilepsy. The breeder recently moved and the sire, Riot, has since had seizures... not before. Since the move, another dog on the property has developed epilepsy, seizing for over 2 hours to the point they had to put the dog down. It is a half sibling to Jake, our dog. Many people are starting to think the cause may be environmental, given the chances of 2 dogs developing (for lack of better terminology) epilepsy in such a short amount of time on the new property is staggering. No other known offspring (including the half sibling our trainer owns) has shown signs or symptoms. Xena, the afore mentioned dog, is about 2-3 years old and could start showing symptoms but hasn't.

If another dog on the property (especially one NOT in the same bloodlines) starts having seizures, its a good bet the cause is not medical or hereditary, which is good news. Time will tell, updates as they come in.

[adoptashelterpettoday]

genetic epilepsy from what i understand shows up at 2 years.

That is crazy and I hope that they (although I know it probably isnt feisable) can find another place. There could be chemicals on the grass/property that the dogs are reacting to.

I dont know that it is epilepsy. It might just be an enviromental reaction that causes seizures.

If they had epilepsy in their lines, and have been breeding for a while, they would have seen it by now. I dont think it is epilepsy personally.

[OutlineACDs]

Genetic epilepsy can definately show up AFTER 2 yrs old. An ACD that is a half brother to my bitch's mother.. has epilepsy. He was diagnosed at almost 8 yrs old (had his first seizure). My dog has now had two very mild seizures and she is 5 yrs old. Had her first one in December, three months after her 5th birthday. So it does not always show up by two years of age.