Border Collie suffering from epileptic fits?

[the4stringman]

Well my uncle has had a Border Collie with about 3 years. Rex has been a great working dog and was of great speed and strength. Rex however suffered from epileptic fits from time to time. Has any other Border Collie owner seen this trait before?
From time to time Rex would get these fits which would cause his eyes to go vertically upwards, and his legs used to move in the motion as if he was running, and at times froth would appear from his mouth. Any feedback on this unfortunate condition would be appreciated.

[Toddsmom]

I haven't seen it in border collies but I had a friend do a lot of research in to border collie lines before purchasing my last boy (she's a walking border collie dictionary) because that is one of many ailments border collies can suffer from. She told me then that even if a pup was fine for a couple years that if they were going to start seizing it would be from 2-5 years of age. Certainly sounds likea seizure. Sounds like a vet check, and call to the breeder, are both in order.

[Tassle]

Sadly it is a common problem in BCs

Many people control it with Drugs, although it is thought that diet can help alot. There is lots of info on the net with regards to diet and Epilepsy. I would certainly head to the vets - if he is having fits, each time this happens he is doing more damage to his brain.

I do not think there is any DNA test for this is BCs yet, but there is a strong possibility it is inherited, so it is worth informing the breeder for their future reference.

[Vicky]

I know a few people who have had bc's with it, both dogs died very young, didn't make it past 4, but my nan and grandad had a collie cross with it who had it at very early age and lived until it was 18 or 19 i can't quite remember.