Sadly for Alfie any progress in the research behind epilepsy will be too late. However with some effort and a great deal more openness we could all further the progress of research quite significantly. The German Wirehared Pointer breed club here in the UK has announced that a sub committee is to be formed to look into the health issues that impact on this breed which of course includes epilepsy. This is a marvellous first step to try and ensure that all GWP breed enthusiasts develop a better understanding of these conditions and who knows over time what could be done to try and eradicate it. This is brilliant news.

 We would like to say to anyone who gets involved a big thank you in advance!

Other breed communities have given a high priority to epilepsy and are actively researching into its causes and possible origins. Work being done by Australian Shepherd enthusiasts is inspiring and providing a benchmark for what could be achieved.

Toby, a beautiful AS living in California, is a wonderful example of how we might be able to take things forward here - check out his story at

http://www.tobysfoundation.org/

We wish him and his wonderful family well and we thank them for all the effort they are putting in to fighting canine epilepsy.