Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy, Remitting Focal Epilepsy

Affected dogs can begin experiencing seizures of varying frequency, duration, and severity, ranging from simple focal seizures where the dog is tremoring but still able to walk, eat, and respond to stimulus to complete immobilization and loss of consciousness. Puppies appear normal between episodes, though those with severe seizures can display an abnormal, uncoordinated gait after an episode.

Signs develop in puppies.

Unless a genetic basis is suspected due to the age, breed, or history of the dog, diagnostics must be performed to rule out infectious, inflammatory, or neoplastic causes.

Treatment for BFJE is usually supportive; dogs typically grow out of the disease and suffer no ill effects later in life.

Talk to your vet about your dog’s benign familial juvenile epilepsy result so you can plan appropriate monitoring and care.

Seizures usually begin in young puppies but often resolve as the dog matures. Contact your vet if you notice episodes of stiffness, twitching, or brief loss of awareness.

If a seizure occurs, make sure your puppy is in a safe area away from objects they could hit, and avoid handling them until it passes.

Most affected dogs outgrow seizures and go on to live normal lives.

This mutation was first described in the Lagotto Romagnolo.

Penetrance: This disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning that affected dogs must have two copies of the mutation to show clinical signs.

Gene

LGI2 (Exon 8)

Inheritance type

recessive

Clinical category

Neurologic

Citations

1. Seppala et al 2011
2. Jokinen et al 2007
3. Jokinen et al 2015

• Lagotto Romagnolo