New AHT research shows that the prevalence of idiopathic epilepsy is higher in Italian Spinoni than the UK’s general canine population.

"In the first research paper of its kind to look closely at idiopathic (of no known cause) epilepsy (IE) in Italian Spinoni, researchers at the AHT have found the prevalence within the breed to be more than 5% (5.3%). Prevalence of IE among dogs generally is currently estimated in first opinion practice to be just 0.6% in the UK, but depending on country and breed, can be as high as 18.3%."

Full article HERE

All credit must go the Italian Spinone Club of Great Britain and The Animal Health Trust for trying to get a grip of this terrible condition.

My friend has 5 of this beautiful breed,she had to have 1 of her boys who was 3yrs old pts not that long ago due to this terrible condition. RIP Briggan you beautiful boy and run free with Harvey at rainbow bridge xx

All credit indeed to the Italian Spinone Club for addressing the problem in their breed. Lets hope that a DNA test can be found. This will be difficult not least  because Idiopathic/Genetic Epilepsy can be difficult to diagnose definitively. Other causes of seizures such as brain tumours, infection , poisoning trauma, parasites etc have to be excluded. This is expensive as it involves MRI scanning, Lumbar Puncture and bloodtests . As the disease is characterised by early onset and can be very aggressive with multiple seizures , many affected dogs are euthanised before DNA samples are taken and, of course, before a definite cause is found.
Most important in  'getting to grip' with the condition is acceptance by breeders that they have a problem with Idiopathic/Genetic Epilepsy in their lines. Far too often, breeders will deny this despite  evidence to the contrary. In my breed there are lines known to regularly produce affected puppies and young dogs. The breeders concerned have been made aware of the problem but continue to produce litters with affected puppies . This has had a serious impact on my breeding recently. I was shocked to learn that a puppy I bred had been diagnosed with Idiopathic/Genetic Epilepsy.  I know how this has come about and am angry that the stud dog concerned  has produced several affected puppies , as have many of his near relatives. I'm extremely grateful to the owner of the young dog for informing me of the situation. Two siblings of the affected dog were going to be bred from . I had lifted the endorsements as all testing had been done and the girls were satisfactory in every way. I gave the owners of the girls the information and advised them of the possibility that they could produce the condition in future litters and both immediately agreed not to breed. My girl was spayed after her second litter. So, it stops with this generation in my line, at least. Relevant DNA samples have been sent to AHT.
Idiopathic Epilepsy is a terrible condition and breeders should stop 'burying their heads in the sand'. If you love your breed , you want to do the best by it. Breeding from dogs who produce/have produced Epilepsy  is utterly irresponsible . There is no excuse for doing so. No accolades in the show ring justify the misery that is caused to a dog with Epilepsy and the owners that have to witness the seizures and possibly make the sad decision to euthanise their beloved pet.