Is Idiopathic Epilepsy inherited?
Hereditary idiopathic epilepsy has already been proven in some breeds of dogs, but it is suspected that ideopathic epilepsy is hereditary in most breeds. Much research is ongoing at The Canine Epilepsy Project, with the hope of identifying the genes that carry epilepsy, and that some day a test will be developed to identify those dogs predisposed to epilepsy and those carrying the genes. It is very frustrating to know that this is a hereditary disease and yet not understand how it is inherited. Until such time that we have identified the genetic mutations that cause this disease and are able to utilize a DNA test to screen dogs, it is up to the breeder community to be as cautious as possible. What does that mean? It means not repeating breedings that have produced epilepsy. It means not breeding dogs who are affected with epilepsy, or the offspring of any affected dogs. It means openly sharing information about our dogs and what they have produced, so that other breeders may make smart
