D

o you live with a PBGV affected with epilepsy? Do you
want to help the health of all PBGVs? You can if your 
affected PBGV has been clinically diagnosed by a 

veterinarian. This devastating disease is now being studied
by the Animal Health Trust (AHT) and your help is needed.

Idiopathic Epilepsy (IE). Epilepsy is simply defined 

as the tendency to have recurrent seizures. The term 
‘Idiopathic Epilepsy’ means no underlying cause for the
seizures can be identified. Epilepsy is the most prevalent 
canine neurological disorder and is consistently identified
by breeders as a major cause for concern. Many breeds suffer
from epilepsy, although age of onset and the type and 
pattern of seizures can differ between breeds.

The AHT canine genetics team, in collaboration with 

veterinary neurologists at AHT, is currently investigating the
genetics of IE. AHT will accept and store DNA samples from
PBGVs diagnosed having Idiopathic Epilepsy by a veterinary
neurologist. The DNA will be used in future studies with
other breeds.

Research into the causes of Idiopathic Epilepsy. The

BGV Club in the UK has been collaborating with the AHT
for the past 22 years, collecting DNA samples from suspected
cases of IE and control samples from clear dogs. A similar
project was undertaken in Finland where a larger number of
reported cases was collected from all over Europe, but a
number of samples appeared to come from dogs suffering
seizures caused by factors other than genetic abnormalities,
so this test was inconclusive. In 2000, the AHT tightened 
its requirements for DNA samples from affected dogs by 
initiating additional tests on affected dogs to eliminate cases
caused by environmental or physiological conditions. All
samples submitted prior to 2000 were eliminated from the

research. Other countries are now being encouraged to 
contribute to the AHT IE research project.

The AHT now holds some 620 DNA samples from both

PBGVs and GBGVs from 10 countries: Australia 10; Belgium
6; France 4; Germany 5; Ireland 1; Mexico 3; Netherlands
153; Portugal 10; UK 348; USA 70; Unknown Origin 10.

Of these samples, about 10 percent are proven cases of IE.

This sample bank was also used to identify the causal 
mutation for POAG in the PBGV and for identifying the
complete genome map of the PBGV. However, DNA submitted
specifically for POAG testing is not used in IE testing.

The AHT is now actively seeking funding to begin its 

research program into the genetic causes of IE, and is 

looking to raise $63,000 for the initial phase. As IE is not
caused by a single recessive gene mutation (as is the case for
POAG) but by a series of mutations in a number of genes,
the research is much more difficult and time consuming
more research time is needed.   

This project needs DNA samples from any PBGV that 

suffers from seizures. DNA cheek swabs can be taken at
home and are non-invasive. However, these additional tests
AHT requires will have to be done by your vet.

• Full blood hematologyand biochemistry
• Bile Acid stimulation test
• Neurological examination
• MRI brain scan is of great assistance but not mandatory
These test results and DNA sample should be submitted

to the AHT along with a three-generation pedigree and the
AHT clinical history questionnaire filled in by the owner.

For DNA sample kits and additional information 

regarding required testing, contact PBGVCA Health 
Committee Chairman Helen Ingher, pbgv@charlen.com.  

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www.pbgv.org

Winter 2015   

I Saber Tails

I  

PBGV Health Watch: Idiopathic Epilepsy

Cartoon submitted by Karen Clugston

Epilepsy is the most prevalent canine neurological disorder 

and is consistently identified by breeders 

as a major cause for concern.