Canine Lafora Information and Support

Lafora Disease is an inherited form of epilepsy which can occur spontaneously  in any breed of dog, but it particularly affects the miniature wire-haired dachshund, bassett hound and beagle. Typically signs first appear in animals at any time over 5 years age and both sexes can be affected.

Myoclonus (jerking) is a feature of the disease and characteristically this can be induced by flashing lights, sudden sounds and movement (especially that close to the dog’s head). Generalised or complex partial seizures may be seen in some dogs. The disease progresses slowly over many years and gradually other neurological deficits such as ataxia, blindness and dementia occur.   Dogs may have a near normal life expectancy, though as quality of life diminishes, the owner may be forced to take the ultimate tragic decision.

The YouTube vide clip below illustrates the impact of the disease on the older dog. Compare it with the clip of the same dog playing in the sea, age 4 on the same YouTube channel , before the condition took hold.

Alfie, Lafora dog age 12

The Laforadogs Support Group aims to be a positive force for those owners who need answers themselves and are keen that other dogs (and their owners) do not face the same fate. Whilst our focus is on the UK mini wire population because this is where the biggest problem has been identified to date, we hope that the information on this website will help you, wherever you are in the world and what ever type of dog you own.

Our  About Lafora pages contain information on the background to the condition, important information on how to get your dog tested, and what is currently being done to try to reduce the number of affected dogs in the future. If you have an affected dog, find information on what you can do to help cope in the Lafora Management section , based on other owners’ personal experience.

Find out more about our Laforadogs group, read moving tributes by owners about their dogs in Blogs on Dogs, see our Gallery pages or check out the News page for regular updates on Lafora and other Dachshund related health issues. If you are a breeder or would like to know more about breeders supporting lafora testing, go to our new Breeders section.

If you’d like more information or to tell us about your own dog, contact us at laforadogs@btinternet.com. To print a copy of the Dachshund Breed Council’s Lafora Dachs-Fact sheet, open it here: Dach-Facts Lafora V3.

UK WHDC Lafora Testing Programme

Over the last few months, many breeders and private owners have submitted dogs for testing via the WHDC Lafora Testing Programme. It has been a long and difficult road with many setbacks along the way. Full affected/unaffected saliva testing is now available and we are in the final stages of testing a new blood test that should identify carriers and clears.

If you have a mini wire dachshund in the UK please take part in the subsidised testing programme. This is particularly important if you are considering breeding from your dog. Click here for the latest news, here for how to get involved, or here for the latest test results.

If you have any variety of dachshund and are based in the UK, please take part in the 2012 Dachs-Life Health Survey.