This link to the AKC Canine Health Foundation website provides some details on a 2008-2009 seizure study on Chinooks by Dr. Gary Johnson and the University of Missouri. This study was in part financed by an acorn grant by the AKC Canine Health Foundation and partnered by Chinook owners' contributions.
Reference: J Vet Intern Med. 2010 Nov-Dec;24(6):1305-13. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2010.0629.x.
"Characterization and mode of inheritance of a paroxysmal dyskinesia in Chinook dogs."
Some Chinooks have an unusual form of seizure disorder described as a movement disorder rather than a true seizure. Videos showing this type of episode in Chinooks can be found on my YouTube site: http://www.youtube.com/user/ChinookDogs In addition to these Chinook dyskinesia or dystonia type episodes, there are also some Chinooks who have grand mal seizures.
To learn more about the health of the Chinook, join our Chinook discussion group on Yahoo. Chinook Healthnet focuses exclusively on health and genetic issues as they relate to the Chinook dog breed.
Finding a Veterinary Specialist
Like human medicine, some veterinarians choose to specialize in a particular field. A list of certain vet specialties is included below. You may find additional information on the AVMA website: http://www.avma.org/education/abvs/specialty_orgs/default.asp
The following list of diseases, disorders, conditions and traits have been reported
by Chinook owners and breeders as primary health and genetic concerns:
Cancer: There are currently no specific cancer trends identified in the Chinook breed though Hemangiosarcoma has been reported and also other different types of cancers. More information is needed through veterinary diagnoses and pathology reporting. Biopsies and sometimes necropsies have to be done to identify the type of cancer and this is never easy when a special canine is very ill and may be dying, or has passed on to the rainbow bridge and the owner is grieving. This link tells the story of my special Chinook girl's valiant battle with cancer. Chinooks & Cancer
How you can help if your Chinook is having a seizure.
Longevity: How long does the Chinook live? There have been no comprehensive longevity studies on the Chinook dog. Looking at Chinook longevity over the last 25 or so years, it has not been unusual to find Chinooks who live to be 13, 14, and some Chinooks even live to be 15 years old. On the other hand, there is a subpopulation of Chinooks who are not living as long, and earlier "premature" death at 11 and 12 does occur. Some of these Chinooks have a diagnosed cause of death such as cancer where others have what appears to be some type of unidentified neuropathy that affects their ability to walk, rise from lying down, and getting around without pain and difficulty. Other symptoms may include vocal cord paralysis, fecal incontinence, noticable arch to the spine, and cognitive dysfunction. Genetic testing for degenerative myelopathy has been negative on those Chinooks tested (as of 2010). This does not appear to be an orthopedic condition but neurological and these symptoms can even affect Chinooks rated OFA Excellent for hips.
Updated on: September 6, 2011
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