Current Research

Development of a Canine Epilepsy Program in Canada

The neurology service at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph and Dr. Minassian’s genetics research team at The Hospital for Sick Children (Sick Kids), University of Toronto would like to invite formally the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (NSDTR) Club of Canada to participate in a research collaboration for the development of a Canine Epilepsy Program in Canada.

Roberto Poma DMV, DVSc, ACVIM Neurology
Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Studies
Ontario Veterinary College
University of Guelph
Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1

and

Berge A. Minassian, MD CM, FRCP(C) Neurology
Associate Professor, University of Toronto
Neurologist, Division of Neurology
Scientist, Program in Genetics and Genomic Biology
The Hospital for Sick Children
Toronto, ON, Canada, M5G 1X8

For more information on this project and how you can get involved, please contact Ruth Peacock at:  ruth.peacock@sympatico.ca
This is a NSDTR Club of Canada supported project so check for study updates at:
Where Your Research Dollars Are Being Spent

American Based Epilepsy Research (working in conjunction with researchers from the Canadian Epilepsy Program)

Canine epilepsy is one of the most emotionally devastating problems facing dog owners and breeders today. Dr. Gary S. Johnson, a molecular geneticist from the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri-Columbia is currently doing DNA research to try to locate the mutation(s) responsible for causing epilepsy in dogs. The genes controlling seizure problems in dogs are not well understood, but this project is attempting to find the marker(s) or mutation(s) responsible.  When these can be identified, a blood test will tell if an individual dog is a carrier, clear, or likely to become an affected (even before symptoms begin). Using this information, breeders can choose breeding partners who will not produce additional affected puppies. Researchers working on this project need information from affected dogs and their families.  Specifically, what is needed is a pedigree (4 or 5 generation) of the litter where an affected dog (or dogs) appeared, and blood samples from the affected(s), the littermates, parents, and when possible, the grandparents. More distant relatives such as half-siblings, aunts and uncles, or others are also potentially useful. Families are important so that the genotype of the affected dogs can be compared to that of close relatives who are not affected, and decipher how these genes are inherited from one generation to the next. An affected dog with little or no family available may also be useful to test information found in families, and should also send in a sample.  Participation in the project is completely confidential - the names of dogs and owners who participate in the research will not be revealed. When the research produces some results, individual owners will be able to request the results of testing on their own dogs. Results of research are published in such a way that the identity of individual dogs is completely anonymous, so participants do not have to worry that information, which could be traced to an individual dog or family, would be disclosed.  There is a packet of information sheets and forms for submitting samples.  You may make copies and distribute them to other interested breeders and owners who should also participate. The packet can be downloaded at the Canine Epilepsy Network website (currently under construction),

Addison's Disease Study

Thank you for your interest and support of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Addison’s disease study.  We are currently collecting information and DNA samples (blood or cheek swabs) on affected and unaffected Tollers.  The information we are collecting on these Tollers includes: registered name, dam and sire, date of birth, spay/neuter status, Addison’s disease status (if no, any relatives that are affected), age at disease onset, any other disease history (especially immune related diseases), and coat markings (positions of white, eye rim/nose color).  I realize that we are asking for a lot of information on this sheet, but we would greatly appreciate it if you could please read the form carefully and fill it out completely for each Toller that you are submitting a DNA sample.  It is critical that we have complete entries for each dog in our database.  Please include a copy of the pedigree if you have one available.  ***Additionally, for Tollers that have been diagnosed with Addison’s disease, we would like a copy of any ACTH stimulation tests that have been performed by your veterinarian.  This helps us confirm the diagnosis of Addison’s disease.***

A blood sample can be collected by your veterinarian according to the instructions in the “Blood Sample Collection” information sheet attached to this email.  The address to send samples to is also included on this sheet.  If you prefer to use cheek swabs to send in your dog’s DNA sample, please contact Dr. Hughes for swabs and instructions.

The information you provide for the study and your dog’s genetic results will be kept strictly confidential.  However, if you would like your affected dog’s name included on a public list of Tollers with Addison’s disease, please mark the appropriate box on the information sheet.  Additionally, if you would like to authorize use of your dog’s DNA in future research projects, please mark the appropriate box.

Results of this study pertaining to the breed as a whole, e.g. mode of inheritance, any markers or genes located, etc., will be shared with the Toller clubs.  However, any information determined for individual animals will be considered the property of the researchers only and will not be disclosed.  If and when an accurate and reliable genetic test for Addison’s disease in Tollers is available, we will be able to address the issue of an individual’s genetic predisposition to develop Addison’s disease.

Thank you again for your assistance with this study.  If you have any further questions, please direct them to Dr. Hughes at (530)754-2117 or ahughes@ucdavis.edu.