Greetings from Toby's Foundation,

Call for Blood Samples from Aussies affected with Canine Epilepsy…More Affected cases are needed! Dr. Patterson has shared with us that more blood samples are needed from Aussies affected with canine epilepsy. If you have a dog with epilepsy and have not submitted a blood sample please do it NOW! A blood sample from your affected dog is essential to help the researchers find the genes responsible and develop a screening test. We can not do it without you! Canine epilepsy that is idiopathic (primary) epilepsy means that no underlying cause for the seizures can be found. We need blood samples from Aussies that suffer from idiopathic (primary) epilepsy. It is a diagnosis by default meaning that everything else has to be first ruled out. This usually includes doing an MRI and spinal tap. Many owners can not afford these expensive tests so we asked Dr. Patterson what he recommends. Dr. Patterson says, "As next best. First seizure at 1-5 years of age, normal basic blood work, normal physical and neurological exam, and at least 1 month since seizures started or First seizure at any age and at least 2 years since seizures started and normal basic blood work, normal physical and neurological exam." For blood sample submission instructions please go to the link below. We now link directly to UMN to stay current on updates and there is a new address to send samples to so please check out our link. Samples sent to the previous address were still received. If you have any questions please email us at tobysfoundation@tobysfoundation.org. Thank you as always for your unfailing help. Together we can and will defeat this cruel disease! Submit a Blood Sample

Charitable Giving Your gifts help us to support the research to find the genes responsible for canine epilepsy and develop a screening test. Please make Toby's Foundation part of your charitable giving. Toby's Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Our Federal Tax Identification number is 74-3135217. Your gift is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law and helps us in our efforts to stop canine epilepsy. Please check with your employer about a matching gifts program. If you would like to make a memorial or honorary gift to support canine epilepsy research, an announcement card can be sent to whomever you specify. We accept donations online (see link below) or you may mail your check to: Toby's Foundation P.O. Box 7321 Laguna Niguel , CA 92677 Please Donate

AussiE-Update Volume III, No. 19
August 15, 2009