Hepatitis in the English Springer Spaniel

Research Project Hepatitis in the English Springer Spaniel

Our heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Lesley Bloomfield to give us the permission to present the following

Article about this real distressing disease which was been published in the Yearbook 2006 of the

Southern English Springer Spaniel Society !

"Many of you will be aware from previous health bulletins that during the last three or four years there

have been a number of ESS reported as suffering from hepatitis in both the UK and Norway with a very

similar history. They were typically young to middle-aged female dogs (although very occasionally males

are affected) which present with sudden-onset jaundice, vomiting and often marked pyrexia (high temperature).

The disease becomes “chronic”, with periodic episodes and unfortunatelly there is a very high mortality rate.

During the last three or four years, data has been gathered from affected dogs for use in a research project

aimed at investigating the disease, determining its causes, and ultimately carrying out studies to discover whether

there is a genetic link that predisposes some dogs to this disease.

The project is being led by Penny Watson, at the Queen`s Veterinary School Hospital, University of Cambridge,

in close co-operation with Professors Ellen Skancke and Wence Farstad at the School of Veterinary Science in

Norway, where incidences of the disease have also been reported.

At this stage, clinical data, blood samples and liver biopsy samples that have been collected from affected dogs,

are being collated. It is vital to the success of any research Project that data is obtained from as many cases as

possible. To the end of February 2006, a letter from Penny Watson was published in the Veterinary Record

(with the joint co-operation of the Norwegian research clinicans, that Kennel Club Canine Genetics Coordinator

and the Joint ESS Breed Clubs Co-ordinators), alerting Veterinary Practitioners to the disease and appealing for

their co-operation in passing data from suspected cases"

This disease is absolutely devastigating for both dog and owner, and we would therefore appeal to all

breeders/owners who know of any suspected cases to contact

Penny Watson at Queen`s Veterinary School, Cambridge.

(Telephone: 01223 337621 – Email: pjw36@cam.ac.uk

or her colleague Nick Bexfield – Email: nb289@cam.ac.uk

Alternatively, please contact the Health Co-ordinators:

Lesley Bloomfield

Louise Scott