Ollie’s Fund Could Help Thousands of Dogs
Epilepsy is a disorder affecting around 1% of the human population and up to 5% of dogs. It can occur in any breed, although typically some are more commonly affected than others. Epilepsy can have a huge impact on the quality of life of both the dog and owner and, for this reason, a number of epileptic dogs end up being euthanased. Ollie’s Fund has been set up to allow researchers at the Animal Health Trust to research into the cause of the illness and prevent dogs like Ollie suffering in the future.
Ollie Haggerwood was an Italian Spinone who had his first seizure in 2005, aged three. Apart from having undergone surgery for two infected toe nails a few days previously,, Ollie was a fit and healthy dog.. However, a month later Ollie had another seizure. He was convulsing, foaming at the mouth, urinating and going totally rigid. The seizure lasted only a few minutes, but for a good hour afterwards, Ollie was blind, walking into obstacles and very distraught. He didn’t even recognise his owners.
Ollie was referred to the Animal Health Trust and booked in for an MRI scan and spinal tap to diagnose the cause of his seizures. These were getting more frequent and increasing in severity, sometimes having up to nine in 24 hours, twice a week. The scan and spinal tap revealed nothing untoward, no tumours or lesions, so a diagnosis of ‘idiopathic epilepsy (also known as ‘primary epilepsy’) was made.
Epilepsy is characterised by repeated seizures, due to abnormal activity in the brain. When no cause for these seizures can be identified, the term idiopathic or primary epilepsy is used, and this form is believed to be a genetic condition.
Sadly, there is no cure for idiopathic epilepsy, even though the majority of dogs respond satisfactorily to antiepileptic medication. Ollie was put on medication but, after four months, was rushed back to the Trust a very sick dog. Neurologist Lara Matiasek took charge and discovered he had a rare side effect to his antiepileptic medication phenobarbitone, which caused him to have reduced numbers of white blood cells and platelets.
“In simple terms, the drugs given to control the epilepsy had done their job at the price of almost taking his life in return,” explained owner Shelley. “It was like we had made a deal with the devil.”
Ollie suffered numerous complications and different combinations of drugs were given in an attempt to find a formula which helped control his epilepsy without endangering his life further. The family’s life began to revolve entirely around him and they feared for his health every day. He started having ‘cluster seizures’, constantly seizuring for periods of time, which meant someone had to be with him 24 hours a day.
In 2007, things got worse. Ollie was really suffering with his seizures and Shelley knew the time had come to have him euthanased. There was no way of stopping his seizures – they came so frequently, and with such venom.
“That day I really did see he had had enough,” said Shelley. “They say you know when the time’s come to say goodbye and I believe that now. I saw it in his eyes that afternoon. It was as if he was saying, ‘It’s okay, let me go. Enough is enough.’”
As the Haggerwood’s story shows, managing and caring for an epileptic dog can be distressing and expensive and, because of this, sadly some owners end up having their pet euthanased. The implications for animal welfare in this condition may be significant if seizures are not controlled at all or animals suffer from serious drug-related side-effects.
At present, the cause of this form of canine epilepsy is still unknown, but hope is in sight. Ollie’s Fund is now successfully in place and all funds raised will go directly to the Animal Health Trust’s research into the condition.
“Ollie may be gone, but hopefully some good can come from his lost fight . Subsequently, his memory can live on through the fundraising efforts and the money raised will help scientists find what causes this dreadful disease,” said Shelley.
The Trust’s Neurology Unit has several ongoing projects to improve the understanding, treatment and, most importantly, the prevention, of epilepsy. This goal can only be achieved with the help and expertise of the specialist Canine Genetics Department at the Trust. By studying the genetics of the condition in a variety of breeds, it is anticipated that a number of different genes will be identified that play a role in the development of canine epilepsy.
For more information about the Animal Health Trust, the work they do into Canine Epilepsy and Ollie’s Fund, visit www.aht.org.uk.
To make a donation to Ollie’s Fund or other work of the AHT, visit the website or call the fundraising department on 01638 555 620
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