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DNA Research on epilepsy in Keeshonds

With agreement of Cathy Bosnic and Dr. Golstein for the translation and diffusion of the information

You have a keeshond affectid with Primary (Idiopathic) Epilepsy ? Even if he has a known pedigree or not ?
Your dog has ancestors with epilepsy and a known pedigree ? Please read the next informations.

Cathy Bosnic, known by many of you, sent a call for DNA donators from keeshond diagnosed with Primary (Idiopathic) Epilepsy: submission kits are available from Kris Arnds or herself.

DNA samples have to be sent to the Keeshond Epilepsy Research Project (KERP). Dr. Barbara Skelly and Dr. Richard Goldstein are
anxious to use the same research process that was used to quickly identify the gene associated with Primary Hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), but as with the PHPT study, samples are the key. Without samples from Kees which have been diagnosed with Epilepsy, the research cannot take place.

And for the moment, only very few samples have been submitted...

The result - we now have a genetic test which identifies the gene associated with PHPT in Keeshonden. Epilepsy seems to have a certain stigma associated with it and breeders/owners appear to be much more reluctant to discuss their dog's Epilepsy. All information is kept confidential and your dog's participation/information will not be shared with anyone.

The NY Times has an interesting article about Epilepsy in humans, see the link at http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/20/health/20epil.html?th&emc=th Much of the health research that is done with our dogs is transferring to the human field of medicine, as in malignant melanoma research. The research can benefit both dogs and humans regarding diseases that are shared by both, such as PHPT and Epilepsy.

Please contact Kris Arnds at or Cathy Bosnic herself at for a sample submission packet and help make it possible for Drs. Skelly and Goldstein to find the gene or genes responsible for Epilepsy in the Keeshond.

You don't have to say if the kit if for a dog that you own or which dog is affected. The aim is not to know who has dog with epilepsy. All informations will be kept anonymous. You can also request a submission kit from a "Non-keeshond" person by contacting directly the Dr. Richard Goldstein at Cornell University by e-mail at or phone at (607) 253-3060 (they will page him for you, if he is unavailable please leave a message and he will return your call).

If your dog is no longer alive but was diagnosed affected by epilepsy, you can send his pedigree and veterinary informations to the Dr. Golstein, too.

Many thanks for our kees.