--- In ASKAOpenForum@yahoogroups.com, "Kim" <aussies@...> wrote:

Hi Everyone At EpiGENES!!!

This is the ASHGI report on the University of MO Epi study update
given at the USASA Nationals. AND….we have good news. There is
still work to be done…but there is a light at the end of the tunnel…
it is not a train. Permission to cross post

Dennis O'Brien, DVM & Liz Hansen of UMO gave a presentation this
evening on the status of the epi in Aussies work in progress. In
summary:
1) There are now OVER 1,000 Aussie samples in the database—MORE
THAN ANY OTHER BREED.
2) They have identified 2 family groups they wish to work with
for the first phase of the study. The first group is comprised of 68
dogs; the second group is comprised of 42 dogs.
3) In these two families, epi APPEARS to be a single gene
recessive.
4) We have work to do asap. If we support our researchers, they
may be able to deliver a test in 12-24 months.

What we need to do:
1) UMO needs money. PLEASE GIVE to the Aussie Organization of
your choice, designating your money for EPI RESEARCH. Your
organization choices are: ASGHI, Toby's Foundation, US Australian
Shepherd Foundation or ASCA Foundation. For at least $6,000 near
term, as in, within the next 2-3 months, they can start analyzing
groups. Longer term 3-14 months, they need $50,000 or more to
complete the work. We need to help them raise these monies.
2) Submission of new family groups. Family groupings continue
to be THE critical factor in analysis. A family group MUST have: one
or more affected (IE confirmed diagnoses) and unaffected family
members including: parents, grandparents, siblings, half siblings,
and offspring.
3) Filling in the holes or missing links in the family groups
already submitted. UMO has now completed their extended pedigree
assessment. They have identified two family groups they want to use
in the initial phases of this study. HOWEVER, UNFORTUNATELY, BOTH
families have missing links. These are multi-generational extended
families. UMO will be calling the points of contact that they have
from the samples in hand to gather more contact information and or
samples. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE understand that if they contact you,
whatever help and assistance you can provide is critical at this
point. If they should contact you and ask for more info, names,
phone numbers and help in locating other family dogs. PLEASE help
them.
4) For all of the affected dogs who have been submitted to
date, OR any new dogs being submitted, UMO MUST have the epi seizure
survey completed. The survey can be found at: www.canine-
epilepsy.net PLEASE, PLEASE make sure if you have submitted an
affected dog that this survey is completed. If in doubt, please send
Liz Hansen an email to check on your dog's survey status. Her email
is: HansenL@...
5) FOR ALL DOGS SUBMITTED TO THE STUDY….AFFECTED OR NOT… PLEASE
CONFIRM THEIR STATUS. UMO needs to know if the dogs they have marked
as non-affected are still not affected. IF ANY OF THESE non-affected
dogs have now been diagnosed with IE, UMO MUST know that change.
Likewise, if a dog that was submitted as affected and has now been
found to be not epileptic, they also MUST know this.

Yes, UMO is very close to being able to run the epi analysis on our
breed. IF, as it currently appears, the epi is a simple genetic
issue, we may have a test as soon as 12-24 months. If it is complex,
it may take a year or two more.

That is our update.

CA Sharp & Kim Monti

--- End forwarded message ---