title: Phenotypic characterisation of canine epileptoid cramping syndrome in the Border terrier.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterise the phenotype of Border terriers suspected to be affected by canine epileptoid cramping syndrome and to identify possible contributing factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Owners of Border terriers with suspected canine epileptoid cramping syndrome were invited to complete an online questionnaire. The results of these responses were collated and analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-nine Border terriers were included. Most affected dogs had their first episode before 3 years of age (range: 0·2 to 7·0 years). The majority of episodes lasted between 2 and 30 minutes (range: 0·5 to 150 minutes). The most frequent observations during the episodes were difficulty in walking (27 of 29), mild tremor (21 of 29) and dystonia (22 of 29). Episodes most frequently affected all four limbs (25 of 29) and the head and neck (21 of 29). Borborygmi were reported during episodes in 11 of 29 dogs. Episodes of vomiting and diarrhoea occurred in 14 of 29, with 50% of these being immediately before or after episodes of canine epileptoid cramping syndrome (7 of 14). Most owners (26 of 29) had changed their dog's diet, with approximately 50% (14 of 26) reporting a subsequent reduction in the frequency of episodes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates similarities in the phenotype of canine epileptoid cramping syndrome to paroxysmal dystonic choreoathetosis, a paroxysmal dyskinesia reported in humans. This disorder appears to be associated with gastrointestinal signs in some dogs and appears at least partially responsive to dietary adjustments.
authors.affiliation: Davies Veterinary Specialists, Higham Gobion.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Black
authors.affiliation: Davies Veterinary Specialists, Higham Gobion.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Garosi
authors.affiliation: Davies Veterinary Specialists, Higham Gobion.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lowrie
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, London.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.affiliation: Hythe, Southampton.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gale
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D004421:Dystonia / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009120:Muscle Cramp / Q000662:veterinary*; D010641:Phenotype; D013577:Syndrome; D014202:Tremor / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D014839:Vomiting / Q000662:veterinary