Lagottos suffer from benign
juvenile epilepsy (Jokinen et al. J Vet Intern Med 2007;21:464–471) in their
puppyhood. Seizures in puppies begin at 5 to 9 weeks of age and usually resolve
spontaneously by 8 to 13 weeks. However, there are also some adult-onset cases
in the breed too. Dogs with the most severe seizures have also signs of
neurologic disease between the seizures, including generalized ataxia and
hypermetria. Lagotto’s autosomal recessive disorder, with simple or complex
focal seizures and cerebellar lesions, represents a new epileptic syndrome in
dogs.
Recently, we have discovered the
gene that causes the disease. We offer now a DNA-test, which can distinct dogs
that are healthy and free of the mutation, healthy carriers, or dogs who are
homozygous for the mutation and become affected. It is recommended to test Lagottos
before breeding decisions are made. We recommend to test also new-born litters.
Test can be made either from blood
sample or from buccal swabs. If you need, we can send you buccal swabs free of
charge for the test. Full description of the test as well as sampling
instructions can be found from our web site www.canigen.com.
If you have any questions e.g.
about sampling or the test, feel free to contact our customer service at info@canigen.com, elina.vuorenmaa@canigen.com or by
phone + 358 41 549 4874.
Test can be ordered directly from
us. Just follow the ordering instructions at: www.canigen.com.
Price for the gene test is 85€ per
dog (including VAT). If you order test simultaneously for 5 or more dogs we
can grant a discount of 15%.
You will get test result within
2-4 days after we have received the sample and payment. You can get the test
result and certificate via ordinary mail and/or e-mail.
Kind regards,
Elina Vuorenmaa
Geneticist
HT Diagnostics
In the box below, please find more
information about the juvenile epilepsy in Lagotto romagnolos and its genetic testing. Additional
information and ordering instructions can be found from www.canigen.com, by email from info@canigen.com or by phone +
358 41 549 4874.
Fact box
Benign
Familial Juvenile Epilepsy in Lagotto Romagnolo Dogs
Jokinen et al. (2007) described recently a new
epileptic syndrome in the lagotto breed of dogs. (http://www.koirangeenit.fi/dmdocuments/lagottojuttu.pdf). Clinical studies indicated that these dogs
suffer from inherited benign juvenile epilepsy, which resembles idiopathic
childhood epilepsies with benign outcomes in human. Clinical and diagnostic
evaluations of affected dogs including electromyography,
electroencephalography, and other testing indicated that seizures in puppies
begin at 5 to 9 weeks of age and usually resolve by 8 to 13 weeks. There are
some adult-onset cases in the breed too. Dogs with the most severe seizures
also have other neurologic signs such as generalized ataxia and hypermetria. Routine
laboratory screenings of blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid did not reveal
abnormalities. Electromyography, brainstem auditory-evoked potentials, and
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remain normal in analyzed dogs. However, most
affected puppies and adult cases revealed epileptiform activity in the
electroencephalogram (EEG). Histopathologic examination shows cerebellar lesions
in two studied lagottos. Pedigree analysis suggests an autosomal recessive mode
of inheritance.
We have studied the genetics of the juvenile
epilepsy in lagottos and have recently identified the causative gene (not
published yet). If a dog carries one copy of the mutations it can transfer the
gene defect to approximately 50% of its offsprings. If the dog has two copies
of the mutation it transfers the defect to all of its offsprings. It is
recommended that dogs that are homozygous for the lagotto epilepsy mutation are withdrawn from breeding
programs.
Gene test for lagotto epilepsy is now
available and the instructions for ordering can be found in www.canigen.com.
The results are reported as
follows:
NORMAL: The dog
carries two copies of the normal gene and has therefore no increased risk of
getting epilepsy.
CARRIER:
The dog carries one mutant and one normal copy of the epilepsy gene and do not develop the disease but can
transfer the defect to approximately 50% of its offsprings.
SICK: The dog
carries two mutant copies of the epilepsy gene and will likely develop the
disease in early puppyhood or as an adult.
Reference:
Jokinen T, Metsahonkala L, Bergamasco L-A,
Viitmaa R, Syrja P, Lohi H, Snellman M, Jeserevics J, and Cizinauskas S. Benign
Familial Juvenile Epilepsy in Lagotto Romagnolo Dogs, J Vet Int Med,
21(3):464-71,2007.