The study of seizures in Irish Wolfhounds began in September of 1995 in an effort to determine if there was, is or could be a continuing problem with seizures within the breed. The answers are: yes, yes and hopefully not. This health problem in the breed does not approach cancer or heart-related problems in terms of the number affected. Maybe we can keep it that way.After the University of Pennsylvania agreed to participate, a preliminary questionnaire was developed to reflect the questions of owners, breeders and the team at the university. This questionnaire was sent to full and world-wide associate members of the Irish Wolfhound Club of America and ads were placed in breed club publications.
Follow-up contact is attempted with owners who have submitted forms for animals affected with seizures to clarify and expand information when necessary. New entries and follow up information are processed and forwarded on a regular basis for review by the team at the university. Changes in statistics and new information will appear on this site periodically
The Study has received two hundred and forty-one (241) entries to date. Six (6) of these have been eliminated as not having seizures. Thirty-seven (37) are entered as having seizures of explained causes. Some of these causes included liver shunt, encephalitis, hyperthermia, metasticesed cancers, drug reactions and reactions to pesticides. (Graph 5) Eight (8) neonates, two from one litter and six from a second litter directly unrelated to the first litter, were reported to have had seizures due to hypomyelinogenis and liver dysfunction respectively. Thirty-seven (37) others with seizures were not used as they had one or more missing criteria. Fifteen (15) entries are being held in abeyance for additional information and/or test results. The remaining one hundred forty-six (146) affected IWs in 115 litters comprised of 773 animals are the core group of this study. These animal will be discussed in an upcoming paper written for the study to appear in a peer review journal.The information in this
web site attempts to answer some of the questions asked by owners and breeders
of Irish Wolfhounds affected with seizures by presenting some of the statistical
data collected to date. It is not, nor is it meant to be, a scientific analysis
of these seizures. This site also contains a listing of sources of further
information. 
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