The Canine Epilepsy Network is on the brink of discovering the gene(s) for epilepsy in the Australian Shepherd, but they have critical needs to ensure success:


 
Funding is needed

The research cannot continue without funding. The Canine Epilepsy Network (CEN) will be submitting grants to the AKC Canine Health Foundation.

CEN will need $12 thousand in the near future to start work on one or two extended Aussie families. Long-term they will need at least $50 thousand to identify the gene(s) responsible.


Several interested organizations will be establishing Donor Advised Funds with CHF. Donations may be made directly to those DAFs or through the interested organizations, all of which are 501(c)(3) charitable corporations.

ASHGI is one of the organizations gathering funds. Donations for epilepsy research may be mailed to:
ASHGI
P.O. Box 6738
Concord, CA  94524-6738

Please note “epilepsy research” on your check’s memo line. You may also make an online donation through PayPal:
The other organizations that are raising funds are Toby's Foundation, the United States Australian Shepherd Foundation and the ASCA Foundation.
DNA Samples are needed from:

  • “Missing Links” – these dogs are members of critical family groups that have not yet been sampled. The University of Missouri will be contacting owners of those dogs. If you think you may have such a dog, please contact Liz Hansen. If they call, please cooperate.
  • Any epileptic Aussie.
  • New family groups, consisting of one or more affected Aussies and parents, grandparents, full and half siblings and offspring of the affected dogs.
  • Relatives of Aussies with epilepsy, even if the affected dogs are not part of the study or you don’t know whether they are part of the study.


    • Sample submission information is available on the Canine Epilepsy Network website.
      

    Data is needed on:

    • All epileptic Aussies for whom samples have been submitted
    • Provide Liz Hansen with a status update on your dog’s epilepsy
    • Fill out the seizure survey on the Canine Epilepsy Network website for your dog if you have not already done so.
    • Previously submitted relatives of epileptic Aussies - notify Liz Hansen about your dog’s current epilepsy status (still normal/now affected)
    • Fill out the Seizure Survey for any epileptic Aussie, even if it has died or is otherwise unavailable for DNA sampling.