Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy

Onset of epileptic seizures in BFJE is between 5 to 9 weeks of age. The seizures consist of whole-body tremors, ataxia (uncoordinated movements), and stiffness. Some affected puppies are able to stand and/or walk during a seizure while others are recumbent and unable to stand. The epileptic signs can sometimes be associated with alterations of consciousness. Frequency of seizures can vary between individuals: there can be several seizures a day or sporadic seizures a few times a week. Usually an affected puppy seems completely normal between the seizures. However, in severe cases there can be neurological signs, such as generalized ataxia between the seizures. The BFJE form of epilepsy is relatively benign since the seizures typically end by 4 months of age.

For affected dogs clinical sign progression should be carefully monitored, ensuring the puppy is safe during any seizures and has any required support. Some affected puppies have been treated with anti-epileptic medication like phenobarbital on a short term basis until they are more than 4 months of age. In medium term follow-up, the majority of affected dogs did not suffer any additional seizures as adults.

There are many responsibilities to consider when breeding dogs. Regardless of test results it is important that your dog is in good general health and that you are in a position to care for the puppies if new responsible owners are not found. For first time or novice breeders, advice can be found at most kennel club websites.

This disease is autosomal recessive meaning that two copies of the mutation are needed for disease signs to develop. However dogs with one copy of the disease mutation have been reported as having a slightly increased chance of developing this disease. Breeding a carrier dog with one copy of the BFJE mutation with a clear dog with no copies of the BFJE mutation, will produce a litter with around half carrier puppies and half clear puppies. Puppies in a litter which is expected to contain carriers should be tested prior to breeding. Carrier to carrier matings are not advised as the resulting litter may contain affected puppies. Please note: It is possible that disease signs similar to the ones caused by the BFJE mutation could develop due to a different genetic or clinical cause.