PD Study

Have you ever had a springer that has been diagnosed with epilepsy (including focal seizures) that were fully awake and aware during an episode? Have you ever bred or owned a dog who “had funny leg movements” cramping, spasms/ stiffness episodes? Have you ever bred or owned a dog who had similar sounding events who did not respond to seizure medication, but the issue may have decreased/resolved on its own?

The University Of Missouri is working to identify a marker for Paroxysmal Dyskenia in English Springer Spaniels. Through many months & years of gathering information, this is likely widespread issue spanning back many decades, present in the background or foreground of many pedigrees. Deceased dogs banked at the University of Missouri CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE STUDY. This is not limited to one dog, one line, one sire, etc- it is very important if any of the below information sounds familiar that you consider participating in this study. All participants will remain anonymous and can contact Liz Hansen directly for any additional information. 

What is Paroxysmal Dyskenia? Paroxysmal Dyskenia or “PD” is an Episodic Movement Disorder. Although increasingly being recognized, they are often poorly characterized in veterinary literature and are commonly mistaken for an epileptic seizure, both by owners and by vets. Much until the past decade with the invention of camera phones, these episodes were hard to catch and blanketed under “idiopathic epilepsy” when described by owners. 

During an episode of dyskinesia a dog will remain fully alert. This is a key factor to consider, because any loss of consciousness or awareness during an episode would rule out this condition as a differential diagnosis.

Affected dogs will exhibit involuntary movements of one or more limbs during the event. These abnormal movements can sometimes be brief and fairly mild, with the dog showing just a little bit of unsteadiness or incoordination of a single limb. However episodes and severity can vary greatly between individuals, and even vary within an individual themselves, sometimes going months or years without an episode, only to have several in a row. 

Episodes have been known to occur from seconds to hours- the dog being totally awake, aware and able to respond. Because episodes can vary so greatly between dogs, and some can have whole body involvement, PD can often be mistaken for an epileptic seizure. 

Once a PD episode is over, recovery is immediate – a dog will get to its feet and instantly revert back to normal (In contrast to a epileptic seizure in which a period of disorientation is usually observed following the abnormal activity)

There is no “aura” before a PD episode or post-ictal signs following an episode. Dogs are completely normal between episodes and show no problems at all until the next episode occurs. 

Please check out additional published information on PD here- and if this general information sounds familiar to you PLEASE submit your dog to the study using the sheets and DNA bank information below. 

English Springer Spaniel Paroxysmal Dyskinesia Study At U of MO Submission Sheets. Please contact Liz Hansen at HansenL@missouri.edu with any study or symptom questions. Contact me at Esscenterstagemag@gmail.com with any general questions 

The first form is for a single, affected dog, the litter sheet is for multiple dogs affected in a litter OR for a breeder to provide information on a litter (normal and abnormal). 

Study Forms

SINGLE AFFECTED DOG SUBMISSION FORM

LITTER SUBMISSION FORM

Owner Information

General PD Information- UC Davis 

AM Vet Specialist PD Information 

Differential Diagnosis- Seizures and their signs 

Veterinary Published Papers/ Resources 

International veterinary canine dyskinesia task force Information

Preliminary Response to acetazolamide therapy in Soft coated wheaten Terriers