Opportunity to find out more about Lafora Disease - Lancashire Seminar

Post date: Jul 29, 2013 7:14:31 PM

We have received the following from a vet in Lancashire:

My name is Anthony Dennison, and I am a vet working on the Fylde coast in Lancashire. Since graduating I have developed a professional interest in neurology, and a personal interest in a condition known as Lafora's disease, as my own dachshund suffered from it.

Lafora's disease is a genetic disorder than affect Miniature Wire-haired Dachshunds, Basset Hounds and Beagles. It is a form of late onset epilepsy that can be recognized by the development of jerking of the head and neck when an affected dog is stimulated, which may start at any time from approximately age 5 upwards and may also result in blindness, unsteadiness on the feet and dementia. Unfortunately, there is no cure currently, but vets have developed methods to manage the condition.

Until recently, there were no readily available tests that could identify whether a dog is affected, or may carry the condition and pass it on to puppies if bred with another carrier or affected dogs. The WHDC (Wire Haired Dachshund Club) has worked in conjunction a Canadian research team to develop a full spectrum test, available on a subsidized basis for MWHD, and to other known affected breeds.

I am looking to hold an evening talk in the Preston/Fylde area to inform owners and breeders of affected breeds about the disease: what causes it, what the signs of the condition are, the importance of early testing and how to get your dog tested, and let you all know how it can be managed through working and co-operating with your own vet.

If you would be interested in coming to such a talk, please contact us at our St. Annes branch on 01253 716736 and leave your contact details so I would be able to get an idea of numbers. Once we find a venue to host the evening, I will let you know and publicise the event through various Dachshund organisations and to you directly.