One Health – Collaboration between dog owners, vets and researchers helps dogs and children with a rare and severe epilepsy.

Dr Clare Rusbridge, Reader in Veterinary Neurology at the University of Surrey and Chief Neurologist at Fitzpatrick Referrals, said: “Lafora disease is a fatal disease that causes unbearable suffering for dogs and in rare cases young children. Due to its rarity, little is known about the onset of this illness but what we have discovered, with the help of dog owners, is the clinical sign of Lafora helping to lead to quicker diagnosis. The more we learn about Lafora, the better chance we have of treating it effectively.”

Full article HERE

Although it is not common in the breed, the test for Lafora is the latest one to have been added to the bank of dna tests which are available for Beagles. Test results can be found on the KC site. Dog breeders now have the tools to enable them to eliminate the condition, but it is unlikely to happen in humans who have rather different criteria when they come to select breeding partners.