The AKC Canine Health Foundation Launches Matched-funding
Initiative to Better Understand and Treat Epilepsy in Dogs
RALEIGH, N.C. (February 9, 2017)
– The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF), a
nonprofit organization whose mission is to prevent, treat and cure diseases in
all dogs, announces a new Initiative to advance research into canine epilepsy. The goal of the Initiative is to
provide funds to support innovative research that will advance understanding of
the mechanisms underlying epilepsy, leading to more effective treatments, as
well as provide educational resources for dog owners and veterinarians.
Epilepsy is the most common medical neurological
disorder in dogs. The term epilepsy refers to recurrent seizures resulting from
an abnormality in brain function. The condition can be inherited (genetic
epilepsy), caused by structural problems in the brain (symptomatic epilepsy),
or may be of unknown cause (idiopathic epilepsy). Determination of the
appropriate treatment for canine epilepsy, as well as prognosis for the
condition, depends on accurate diagnosis of the type and cause of seizures.
Educational resources about epilepsy and seizures,
including a peer reviewed whitepaper with a seizure diary to help owners track
their dog’s health, and a live webinar later this year: What's Feeding Those Seizures? An Update on Refractory Canine Epilepsy
and the Potential Link to Gastrointestinal Health with Karen R. Muñana,
DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology), are available to dog owners and veterinarians at www.akcchf.org/epilepsy.
As an added incentive for donors, all donations and donor advised fund disbursements
to the CHF Epilepsy Initiative during 2017 will be generously matched
dollar-for-dollar by the American Kennel Club, up to $250,000.
“The specific biochemical and genetic mechanisms
that cause seizures are not yet fully understood in either dogs or humans,
although seizures are known to result from dysfunction in the brain’s
electrical activity,” according to Dr. Diane Brown, CHF CEO. “Through the CHF
Epilepsy Initiative, this research will improve our understanding of seizures
in dogs, which may help their human companions, also.”
While one in every 100 dogs will be affected
by epilepsy, many dogs, with the support of dedicated owners, can lead a good life by following a
veterinarian’s treatment plan. The CHF Epilepsy Initiative will equip dog
owners with educational resources and further cutting-edge canine health
research to help bring about better understanding and more treatment options
for this devastating condition.
To learn more about CHF’s Epilepsy Initiative,
including the opportunity to double your donation, visit www.akcchf.org/epilepsy.
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About CHF For more than 20 years, the
Raleigh, NC-based AKC Canine Health Foundation has leveraged the power of
science and research to improve the lives of dogs and their people. The
Foundation works to prevent, treat, and cure diseases that impact all dogs,
while providing professional information and resources for a new breed of dog
owner. Take action because you care; find out more online at www.akcchf.org.