Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Epilepsy causes seizures in 18% of Irish Wolfhounds by age 3
By Casal, Margret L et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2006·School of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Epilepsy in Irish Wolfhounds.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Irish Wolfhounds are experiencing an increase in seizure disorders, with about 18% of them diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy (a type of epilepsy with no known cause). Most affected dogs had their first seizure by age 3, and males were more likely to be affected than females. Unfortunately, these dogs may have a shorter life expectancy, losing about 2 years compared to healthy Irish Wolfhounds. The inheritance pattern of this condition is complex, suggesting a genetic link, but it doesn't follow a simple inheritance model. If you have an Irish Wolfhound showing signs of seizures, it's important to consult your veterinarian for guidance and management options.
People also search for: Irish Wolfhound seizures · dog epilepsy treatment · why is my dog having seizures · Irish Wolfhound health issues · epilepsy in dogs causes
Abstract
During the last 15 years, breeders have reported an increase in the proportion of Irish Wolfhounds with seizure disorders. Clinical data and pedigrees from closely related Irish Wolfhounds were collected retrospectively and analyzed. Idiopathic epilepsy was diagnosed, by exclusion of other causes for seizures, in 146 (18.3%) of 796 Irish Wolfhounds from 115 litters. The first seizure occurred by the age of 3 years in 73% of all dogs. Males were more commonly affected than females (61.6% versus 38.4%), with males having a later average age of seizure onset. The life expectancy of affected dogs was decreased by 2 years when compared with the average Irish Wolfhound population. The heritability index for the affected dogs, their littermates, and unaffected parents was 0.87. No simple mode of inheritance explains the pattern of affected dogs in pedigrees. Hallmarks of dominant and sex-linked inheritance were notably absent, and the segregation ratio was less than would be expected for simple autosomal recessive inheritance. Assuming all affected dogs have the same form of epilepsy, the simplest description of the complex pattern of inheritance observed is autosomal recessive, with incomplete penetrance and male dogs at increased risk.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16496932/