Category: Health & Welfare

Articles about Health & Welfare

March AHT Update

Posted on by gifts_l2p6pp

March Update from the AHT Research Study into Idopathic Epilepsy. Please help the Animal Heath Trust tackle Epilepsy in the Italian Spinone.

As you

 know, the collaborative research project between our clinical neurology and canine genetics services to investigate idiopathic epilepsy in the Italian Spinone is progressing well.

The AHT neurology team have been working extremely hard on the initial phases of this project to identify suitable cases.  Now, during the first half of 2014, Dr Cathryn Mellersh and her genetics team are collecting DNA samples from the identified cases.  They will then use sophisticated DNA technologies to identify mutations likely to be causative of the disease.

Cathryn will be at Crufts (6 – 9 March) on the Kennel Club Health Stand in Hall 3 and will be happy to answer your questions on the development of this research project and to discuss what you can do to help.  You can also talk to members of the Fundraising Department on the adjacent AHT stand to discuss how your club and Italian Spinone owners can raise further funds to support the fight against this distressing disease in the Italian Spinone.

Please circulate this letter to your members as widely as possible as we would very much like to meet as many Italian Spinone owners as possible at Crufts.  We hope to see you there and, to those who may be showing or exhibiting, the very best of luck!

Yours sincerely

 

Andrew Simmonds

Head of Development.

 

Epilepsy Research Study

Posted on by gifts_l2p6pp

We’ve been asked by a researcher at the Clinical Investigations Centre at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) to help recruit for a food trial looking into the treatment of epilepsy.  A new diet has been developed with the aim of improving the management of epileptic dogs, not only by reducing seizure frequency, but also by decreasing the level of side-effects seen with standard antiepileptic drugs.

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Reporting health conditions

Posted on by gifts_l2p6pp

Information regarding your dogs health is welcomed from any spinone owner. You do not have to be a Club member to report a health matter.

With the AHT currently researching epilepsy, we would particularly appreciate details from any owner, both from the UK and abroad, who has experienced this.

If your Spinone has suffered from a health problem, it would be very helpful if you could complete our ‘Report Health’ google form which can be found by clicking on the link. 

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Osteochondritis

Posted on by gifts_l2p6pp

Osteochondritis (OCD), based on the veterinary information we have been given, is a condition that affects the smooth cartilage surface within the joints and most commonly the shoulder.We have a Spinone bitch who was diagnosed with this condition at the age of 4 months.We were sent by our vets, who had x-rayed both her shoulders, to an orthopaedic referral unit that operated initially on her left shoulder, suggesting the other would need surgery at a later date if it presented the same symptoms.There are some questions as to the cause of OCD, with no definitive answers reached, it seems, even within the veterinary world, and there are many opinions as to the best way to effect a cure.The following gives the history of Lottie, her symptoms and recovery, as well as some observations made along the way. If you have had a similar experience we would be interested to hear from you.

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Deadly Raisins

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Vet’s Corner – Beware the deadly raisin!

Information has come to light recently regarding the toxic effects of raisins, sultanas and grapes on dogs.  The Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS), the agency who provides information and advice to Veterinary Surgeons in cases of toxicity, has provided the following information.  The agency first became aware of this problem a few years ago after a spate of cases in close succession.  A check through their database revealed many serious cases in the past.

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Adder Bites

Posted on by gifts_l2p6pp

I feel I must write to warn people, it can happen to you or should I say your dogs. I was walking as I do most days in our local forestry (not worked) near the Denbeigh moors, with my dogs – 4 hounds, 1 Bouvier, 1 Spinone, my friend and her Airedale,when I noticed the Spinone looked a bit odd!  It was a very warm day and fortunately we were nearing the end of our walk. 

I stopped to examine Mia and realised there was something wrong.  Her eyes were closing and she was having difficulty breathing. Panic!

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