Regulars of this blog will know that I breed border terriers, and I am excited to share with you some new and ground breaking research within the breed.

In December, the Journal of Small Animal Practice published an article on canine epileptoid cramping syndrome (or CECS) in border terriers. This is exciting because it is the first academic article to consider this condition in border terriers, and it therefore documents and legitimises the condition.

This is Chip (Au & NZ Ch Dalshoj Chippendale ME TD). He does not have CECS but he is a border terrier.

Research Design

• A small study of 29 border terriers.
• There were 33 respondents in all, but 4 dogs were excluded for not meeting the criteria.
• Recruitment took place through veterinarians, using dogs that had diagnosed and treated for CECS.
• In 14 of the cases, owners were questioned about their dog’s episodes. In 15 cases, videographic evidence was used.
• In order to be included in the study, dogs had to:
  • Have a one year history of episodes (i.e. abnormal involuntary hyperkinetic movement)
  • These episodes did not include epilepsy-like symptoms (like loss of bladder or bowel control, hyper salivation, or loss of consciousness)
  • Have other medical conditions ruled out (if possible)

What happens before a CECS episode?

• 18 out of the 29 owners felt they could predict the onset of an episode.
• 11 out of the 29 dogs became ‘quieter’ before an episode.
• 6 out of the 29 dogs sought comfort in their owners before an episode.
• 4 out of the 29 dogs would vomit bile or eat grass before an episode.
• While most episodes were unpredictable, some owners felt that excitement, waking from sleep, and stress were all triggers.

So what does a CECS episode look like?

• Generally, an episode lasts from 2-30 minutes.
• All owners felt their dog was uncomfortable during the episode.
• Most dogs had difficulty walking (27 of the 29 participants).
• Most of the time all four limbs are affected (25 of the 29 participants).
• Most dogs had at least some time that they were unable to stand (22 of the 29 participants).
• Most had a mild tremor (21 of the 29 participants).
• Most had the head or neck affected (21 of 29 participants).
• Most had dystonia (muscle tremors) (22 of the 29 participants).
• Many had the back and abdomon affected (16 of the 29 participants).
• Some licked the air (14 of 29 participants).
• Some excessively stretched (14 of 29 participants).
• Some had all four limbs go rigid (14 of 29 pariticpants).
• Some had the tail affected (11 of 29 participants).
• Some dogs got a rumbly tummy (11 of the 29 participants).

What happens after an episode?

• Most owners (18 of the 29) described their dogs as acting similar after an episode as before.
• 11 of 29 respondents were quieter after an episode.
• 4 of the 29 participants sought human company after an episode.
• 2 of the 29 participants were hungry after an episode.

What helps reduce symptoms?

• Most owners found the condition could be managed by diet. 19 of the respodents changed their dog’s diet as a result of their condition, and over 50% thought that this helped.
• Drugs did not help the condition (including phenobarbital, potassium bromide, and buscopan).
• Once an episode had started, none of the owners in this study thought they could change the course of the episode.

What is CECS correlated with?

• In short: Not much!
• Dogs appeared normal despite: blood tests, magnetic resonance imaging, cerbospinal fluid collection and analysis, and neurological examinations.
• “No significant underlying metabolic, cardiovascular, respiratory, orthopaedic or other neurological conditions were identified in any respondent.”
• 15 of the 29 borders also had skin disease.
• There is “an apparent association” between CECS and digestive or food intolerance issues.
• CECS is not epilepsy. Dogs who have CECS differs from epilepsy as affected dogs remain conscious during an episode, have longer episodes, and do not respond to medication.

Implications for Breeders

• Most dogs had their first episode before 3 years. This may mean that only breeding borders 3 years and older, who are asymptomatic, is a way forward. (But some dogs started cramping at 0.2 years, and some at 7 years, so there’s no guarantees.)
• 10 of the 29 owners (34%) felt that CECS had a negative impact on the dog’s quality of life. While this is a significant number, it is reassuring to think that most owners (66%) therefore did not think that CECS negatively impacted on their dogs life. This is not a way to justify breeding CECS affected dogs, but it is reassuring to know that the condition does not seem to be incredibly debilitating in many situations.
• Skin disease is correlated with CECS. Any dogs affected by skin disease should not be considered for a breeding program.
• For those trying to determine the inheritance of CECS, it is important to note that CECS is not epilepsy. A condition that can be controlled by medication is almost certainly not CECS, and it would be hazardous to lump the two conditions together.

Congratulations and thank-you to those border terrier people who have been campaigning and working behind the scenes for research like this for many years.

I hope this is the first of much research to come.

This is Clover (Ch Burrowa Blue Flame ME TD DWDF.S) and Chip (Au & NZ Ch Dalshoj Chippendale ME TD). Neither of them are CECS affected, but they’re pretty cute.

Reference:

Black V, Garosi L, Lowrie M, Harvey RJ, & Gale J (2013). Phenotypic characterisation of canine epileptoid cramping syndrome in the Border terrier. The Journal of small animal practice PMID: 24372194