Health Database

Breed Predisposition to Disease and Congenital Conditions: These are some of the conditions known to occur in the Belgian; Epilepsy, Hip Dysplasia (HD), Elbow OCD, Eyes - Cataracts & PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), Neoplasia, Vitiligo, Gastric carcinoma, * Anaesthesia Sensitivity.

Hip Dysplasia (HD) - Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is the most common, heritable orthopaedic problem seen in dogs. It affects virtually all breeds of dogs but is especially problematic in large and giant breeds. Clinically, the disease manifests itself in one of two ways:

In Australia, Hip scores and Elbow scores are usually obtained after a dog is 12 months of age, the dog is x.rayed by a vet and the x.rays are then scored by the AVA or your vet if they are qualified. The x.ray is a once off procedure and requires the dog to be fully anaesthetised when being x.rayed. For more info on how Hips are scored and a comparrison chart of scores in different countries please visit OFA Hip Grade

PennHIP - A New Scientific Method for Early Screening of Canine Hip Dysplasia - dogs can be scored earlier than 12 months. More info can be found on PennHIP on our vet's website here Monash Vet

Eyes - Eye testing certificates are valid for 12 months, eye problems known in Belgians are often late onset issues that can occur from 2 to 4 years. Eye testing can be done as early as 7.8 weeks of age, it is recommended that breeding stock be eye tested yearly. A specialist ophthalmic vet does the eye testing, which involves putting drops into the dog's eyes to dilate the pupils, in order for the vet to perform a visual check deep into the eye. A Final Eye Certificate may be given to dogs over 8 years old, problems that occur after this age are considered to be normal old age issues and not hereditary conditions.

PPM's are not considered a health issue/problem within the breed, for further info on PPM's or other eye conditions please refer to www.eyevet.org

Epilepsy - Epilepsy simply refers to repeated seizures. Seizures may occur as a one time event in an animal from a variety of causes, but only if the seizures repeat again and again over a period of time do we call it epilepsy. Whilst we can X-ray Hips and test eyes, unfortunately there is not yet a test available for epilepsy. In the BSD (Belgian Shepherd Dog) it appears to be an inherited disease, although the mode of inheritance is not well understood and so far difficult to eliminate by selective breeding, as often it may not appear until the dog is 5 years of age and at this age many dogs have already been bred from. There is currently an epilepsy study being conducted in the USA, using DNA from samples sent in from breeders around the world, with the hope that a suitable screening program can be developed for the future. See Idiopathic Epilepsy in the Belgian Tervueren (and other varieties)
As with humans, in many instances, depending on frequency and severity of the seizures, the condition can be largely controlled by careful management and medication.

Note: It can be difficult to determine whether a dog is having seizures due to epilepsy, thyroid problems, an accident, or even a reaction to vaccines or poisons etc. If a dog, of any breed, starts to suffer from 'fits' a vet should be consulted.

Understanding Your Pet's Epilepsy - by Dennis O'Brien, DVM, PhD, Diplomate, ACVIM, Specialty of Neurology, University of Missouri, College of Veterinary Medicine.
"Epilepsy simply refers to repeated seizures. Seizures may occur as a one time event in an animal from a variety of causes, but only if the seizures repeat again and again over a period of time do we call it epilepsy. Seizures are a sign of brain disease the same way a cough is a sign of lung disease. Saying an animal has epilepsy is like saying it has a chronic cough; it is a sign of a problem which isn't going away. Anything which damages the brain in the right area can cause epilepsy. If we can identify the cause of the seizures, say a brain tumor or a stroke, then we say the pet has symptomatic (or secondary) epilepsy. That is, the seizures are a symptom of a disease process we've been able to identify. If we've looked and can't find the cause, then we call it idiopathic (or primary) epilepsy. The term idiopathic simply means that we don't know the cause. It may be that the cause has escaped our attention; for example, a stroke that is too small to detect with routine brain scans or damage that occurred during whelping.

Many of the idiopathic epileptics have inherited epilepsy: epilepsy caused by a mutation in a specific gene which they inherited from their parents. Dogs with idiopathic epilepsy frequently begin seizing at between one and three years of age, and certain breeds are predisposed to develop epilepsy. A few breeds have proven hereditary epilepsy, while in most it is just a strong suspicion. One of the goals of the Canine Epilepsy Project is to identify genes responsible for epilepsy in dogs. This will allow us to positively diagnose the hereditary form and take steps to decrease the incidence of epilepsy in dogs."

For the rest of this article and more info please refer to www.canine-epilepsy.net

* Anaesthesia Sensitivity - Although not a disease, something that must also be considered in this breed is that many Belgians have been found to be highly sensitive to anaesthesia. Owners and vets should be aware that Belgians have died under anaesthesia and that careful monitoring during and in the immediate recovery period after general anaesthesia is important. It is recommended that Vets follow the same anaesthesia protocol as for sighthound breeds. Information on Belgians and Anesthetic A MUST READ

The following table contains Health & Information on dogs we own, owned at the time of health checks/scoring, are from or are related to our dogs, or that we have used at stud - for Information on the dogs we have bred (under our LUMINEUX prefix) please refer to this page Lumineux - Litters

Dogs Registered Name Parents and Date of birth.	Sex	Hips	Elbows	Eyes	Bite/Teeth	Notes

Castelle All Fired Up D.O.B. 14.11.1992 Sire: Aust Ch Fetiche de Condivicnum (Imp Frn) Dam: Aust Ch Nairam Evening Ember owner Lumineux Knls	B	1.0 Gr 0		Eyes clear	Full scissor	Developed severe kennel cough when young, which progressed to Pneumonia, recovered after a lengthy illness with expert care of Wonga Park Vet Clinic. Rehomed
Ebonys Bedazzle (Imp USA) D.O.B. 3.2.2001 Dam: Am Ch Jamboree de Beauvoir Sire: Am.Can Ch Osage de la Fureur du Crepscule (Frn) owners Lumineux & Mirribandi Knls	B	2.2	0.0	Clear 19.07.2003 Clear 16.07.2005 Clear 15.03.2008	Full Scissor	Imported USA Released from quarantine (of 1 month) 26.5.2002 Broke upper inscissor and has since had to have tooth pulled out Dam of Lumineux Devil Inside born 22nd Feb 2004 Dam of Lumineux litter born 11th Sept 2007
Aust Ch Fakaisers Ulrick d'Unforgettable (Imp Nor) D.O.B. 25.4.1999 Sire: N DK UCH NV.97.98 NORDV.98 Fakaiser's Emir d' Enrage Dam: N DK UCH Nordv.98 Mona du Crepuscule des Loups owners Lumineux & Mirribandi Knls	D	Penn Hip L 0.38 R 0.46 4:4 Gr 1	0.0	Clear 27.04.2000 Clear 13.08.2001 Clear 13.12.2003	Full scissor	Entire male Desexed Dec 2007 - due to enlarged prostrate Imported Norway Released from quarantine (of 1 month) Sept 1999 Sire of Lumineux "Heart" Litter 8th Feb 2004 Lumineux "M" Litter 9th Dec 2002 Lumineux "A" Litter 20th Nov 2002 Lumineux "Ebony" Litter 2nd May 2002 Lumineux "Summer" litter 12th Dec 2000 Lumineux "Wish/Magic" litter 5th June 2000 and the Mirribandi O, Q, V, W & X litters Has 2 known epileptic offspring & 1 offspring that has had a seizure at 4 yrs, has progeny with seasonal allergies & fleabite sensitivity - see Hypersensitive Immune Systems
Aust Ch Glencarr Black Velvet D.O.B. 14.5.1991 Sire: Aust Ch Lynx de la Queivre (Imp Blg) Dam: Ch Delwinny August Moon owners Lumineux & Graebelge Knls	B	7.6 Gr R4 L3			Full scissor	Partly deaf, could hear higher pitch sounds Desexed Rehomed Euthanised 30th October 2006 due to old age
Aust Ch Lanaken Magic At Midnite (IID) D.O.B. 26.5.1996 Sire: Re Fandy Black De Condivicnum (Frn) Dam: Shary del Castel Sardo (Imp Ndl) owner Mirribandi Knls exported to Hawaii	B	2:1 Gr 0	0:0	Clear 09.01.2002		Euthanised 25th (approx) Nov 2007, due to cancer of the stomach has two progeny from litter Born April '99 also euthanised due to stomach cancer (Oct '07 & Jan '08)
Aust Ch Lanaken Make A Wish (IID) D.O.B. 26.5.1996 Sire: Re Fandy Black De Condivicnum (Frn) Dam: Shary del Castel Sardo (Imp Ndl) owners Lumineux	B	4.0 Gr 1 Int B	0.0	Clear 09.02.1998 Clear 27.04.2001	Full scissor	Dam of Lumineux "Wish/Magic" litter 5th June 2000 and Tankarla litter 20th Jan 2001 Has progeny with allergies - see Hypersensitive Immune Systems Uterine Inertia - induced both times Loss of pigment with age Collapse or Seizure Episode (More of a back leg weakness than anything) 10/12/01, 13/09/02, 08/12/02, 02/04/05. Possible EIC Excercise-Induced collapse, epilepsy? Euthanised 5th June 2005, due to cancer of the stomach
Aust Ch Lanaken Moon Shadow (IID) D.O.B. 26.5.1996 Sire: Re Fandy Black De Condivicnum (Frn) Dam: Shary del Castel Sardo (Imp Ndl) owner Belwarra Knls	D	Hips 0.4 Gr 1	0.0	Clear 9.08.2001	Full scissor/ pincer	Entire male Loss of pigment with age Cancerous cyst removed from hind leg
Aust Ch Lanaken Nicolette D.O.B. 19.10.1997 Sire: Ulzar des Terres Bergeres (Imp Blg) Dam: Tarielle des Terres Bergeres (Imp Blg) owners Lumineux	B	Penn Hip R 0.29 L 0.29 1.1 Gr 0	0.0	Clear 16.6.2001 PPS 19.07.2003	Full scissor then pincer, then loss of contact lower middle 2 incisors which then dropped forward	Loss of pigment with age Spondylosis more here diagnosed Sept 2006 at nearly 9 years old Arthritis in wrist joint
Lanaken On The Dark Side D.O.B. 29.5.1998 Sire: Jackson de la Douce Plaine (Imp Frn) Dam: Sorbonne V’t Belgisch Schoon (Imp Ndl) owners Lumineux	B	Penn Hip L 0.38 R NA (not clear enough to read)			Full scissor	Testicles - one normal one didn't come down properly Desexed Rehomed
Aust Ch Lanaken On The Wild Side D.O.B. 29.5.1998 Sire: Jackson de la Douce Plaine (Imp Frn) Dam: Sorbonne V’t Belgisch Schoon (Imp Ndl) owners Lumineux	B	Penn Hip L 0.30 R 0.29 AVA 0.2 Gr 1	0.0	Clear 13.11.2001	Full scissor	Snake Bite 19th January 2004, died 29th January 2004
Lebeau Forever Young (Imp UK) Born 30th June 2007 Sire: Xanova Jeton Noir Avec Chatmar Dam: Lebeau's American Beauty owners H Cremona & K Todd	D	Penn Hip L 0.62 - R 0.54
Aust Ch Mirribandi BurntSienna D.O.B. 17.03.2003 Dam: Aust Ch Mirribandi PhoenixDream (AI) CD HIC1 Sire: Aust Ch Grimmendan's Yucan (Imp Blg) owners Lumineux	B	2.3	0.0	Clear 27.6.2005	Full scissor	Dam of Mirribandi R Litter 12th Oct 2005 and Lumineux litter 21st June 2006
Mirribandi GryphonDream D.O.B. 19.03.2004 Sire: Vanistica French Fanfare (Imp UK) Dam: Aust Ch Mirribandi Phoenix Dream (AI) CD owners Lumineux	B	2.1	0.0	Clear 16.07.2005 Clear 15.03.2008	Full scissor	Entire male (1 at 8 wks - 2 at 16 wks) Sire of Lumineux "A" Litter 3rd April 2006 Has one pup with a HD Hip Dysplasia
Mirribandi MakeMine Blak D.O.B. 12.06.2005 Sire: S.R. Bergerac Faust HJCH, ÖJCH, HSHCH, HCH Dam: Aust Ch Wimjammer's Revoir (Imp USA) HIT owners Lumineux	D	3.2	0.0	Clear 15.03.2008	Full bite but undershot (middle incisors) at 4.5 months Undershot at 1.1/2yrs	Entire male
Aust Ch Mirribandi Morgannah D.O.B. 7.4.1999 Sire: Ch Zellik Notorious Flyer AD (Imp UK) Dam: Ch Lanaken Magic At Midnite (IID) owner Lumineux Knls	B	2.3 Gr 1	0.0	Clear 13.08.2001 Clear 17.04.2004	Full scissor	Dam of Lumineux "Ebony" Litter 2nd May 2002 Lumineux "M" Litter 9th Dec 2002 25/11/2005, 07/10/2006 Collapse or Seizure Episode (More of a back leg weakness than anything. Is dragging back feet - eg.top of foot dragging on ground (intermittent). Lethargic 11/01/2006 Another episode of some sort, this time she held out her front leg almost as if she had stood on something or had a cramp, she hunched up a little when I held her and touched her sides, lost a little balance but did not actually collapse, didn't loose consciousness. Like other episodes had been running around prior (and had just eaten - did not throw up her food) 12/02/2007 Another episode of some kind, again just after running around then eating, she lay down then tried to get up. lost balance and began a sort of bucking behaviour, I sat with her after getting her to lay down and she was completely conccious and wagging her tail. Feb '07 Lethargic, coat dry, not herself, off to the vet again. Slow heart rate, x-ray showed she has a smaller than normal heart which may account for the slower rate. More bloodwork, Thyroid was slightly low but not abnormal, trying her on Thyroxine to see if seizures/collapse stop Dec '07 no episodes since the Thyroxine
Aust Ch Mirribandi Uncovered CD D.O.B. 27.7.2003 Sire: Playboy Des Perles Noire (Imp Frn) Dam: Lanaken Magic at Midnite owners Lumineux	D	3:0	0.0	Clear 25.03.2004 Clear 16.07.2005 Clear 15.03.2008	Full tight scissor	Entire male Sire of Mirribandi "H2" Litter26th May 200 and Lumineux "T" Litter 5th Oct 2004 and Lumineux Litter 11th Sept 2007
Moonshadow Enchantress Born 31st October 2006 Sire: Eng & Aust Ch Corsini Lysander (Imp UK) Dam: Aust Ch Ebontide Parisian Affair (Imp UK) owner Moonshadow Knls now M Fernandez	B				Full scissor
Myzchev Black Sapphire Born 23rd October 2006 Sire: HJC HSCH Picasso de la Terre Sauvage CD AD JD ET (Imp Hun) Dam: Aust Grand Ch Myzchev Angel N Disguise ET owner was lumineux now C & C Gregory	B				Full scissor
Aust Ch Nairam High Light G D.O.B. 9.4.1987 Sire: Belwarra Fanfares Gift Dam: Ch Belwarra Elissa CD owner Lumineux Knls	B	8.8 Gr 3		Clear 04.03.1995 Final eye exam. pronounced free from inherited eye disease 27.04.2000	Scissor	Dam of Lumineux "Moon" litter 21st May 1989 Lumineux "B" litter 21st Dec 1990 After desexing developed spay incontinence. Arthritis, slight loss of hearing due to age. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome Euthanised 5.06.2002 due to an agressive cancer
Peaties Black Elegance D.O.B. 4.3.1988 Sire: Ch Belwarra Evening Shadow Dam: Braybonee High Class owner Lumineux Knls my mums girl	B				Scissor bite missing teeth	Mum's dog, Ellie. Stroke which she eventually recovered from Euthanised 2004 old age
Aust Ch Tankarla Manitukala D.O.B. 20.1.2001 Sire: Aust Ch Anoblir Shumanito Tanka (T) Dam: Aust Ch Lanaken Make A Wish (IID) owner Lumineux Knls now H Vanderkroft	B				Full Scissor	Kayla is out of our girl Gina - Ch Lanaken Make a Wish Rehomed
Aust Ch Tankarla Marnehantardi H.I.T. D.O.B. 20.1.2001 Sire: Aust Ch Anoblir Shumanito Tanka (T) Dam: Aust Ch Lanaken Make A Wish (IID) owners Tankarla Knls	D	1.2		Clear 03.11.2003	Full Scissor	Tex is out of our girl Gina - Ch Lanaken Make a Wish owned by Tankarla Knls
Tankarla Wichinchala D.O.B. 20.1.2001 Sire: Aust Ch Anoblir Shumanito Tanka (T) Dam: Aust Ch Lanaken Make A Wish (IID) owner Paul Barker	B				Scissor missing teeth	Tinky was out of our girl Gina - Ch Lanaken Make a Wish Renal Dysplasia Euthanised 27th November 2004, due to kidney failure owned by Paul Barker
Aust Ch Timmar Black Fantasia D.O.B. 19.9.88 Sire: Ch Timmar Devilman Dam: Ch Timmar Ecstasy owners Lumineux	B	15.25 Gr 5			Scissor but missing 1 lower pm	Arthritis in hips due to Hip Dysplasia x-rayed again when older for my own info, would rate in the 40's if scored again Euthanised 20/01/2002 could no longer walk
Aust Ch Uzzi van de Hoge Laer (Imp Blg) D.O.B. 6.12.1996 Sire WW-91 RE Bel, Int CH Millo van de Hoge Laer IPO3 (T) Dam: Rachel van de Hoge Laer (T) owners Lumineux	D	A		Clear 6.12.2001	Full scissor	Seizured 16/02/05, April 05, 16/04/05, 11/05/04, 26/01/05, 04/02/05 Due to the late onset of seizures (at six years old), Uzzi is not available at stud. Please Note, Uzzi was used at stud PRIOR to his known seizure status. Uzzi began medication (Phenomav) in May 2005 - we have not witnessed a seizure since he started it. Uzzi has at least two known seizuring offspring from our breeding, both are on medication. (as at April 2008) Sept 2006 Water filled cyst on back of neck drained but will return and need redraiing (vaccination site)
Aust Ch Weedram Bessen The Witch D.O.B. 3.5.95 Sire: Ch Weedram Kadok Du Bessen Dam: Ch Weedram Solos Temptress owners Lumineux	B	4.4 Gr 2			Scissor	Dam of Lumineux "E" litter 13th Nov 1997 and Lumineux "F" litter 14th June 1999 1 litter with breeder Seizured 18/3/2002, 2/4/2005, 6/11/05 BAD ONE 11/11/05 suspected? Nov 2005 - Trying epilepsy medication - Since approx July 2005 - has a head tilt which may be due to senior vestibular syndrome or to a brain tumor which could be the cause of the seizures. In Nov 2005 she was checked for injury to spine (x-rayed) nor does she have a middle ear infection. Bessen's balance problems are getting worse. Feb 2006 - blood tests all clear. Has lost the sight in one eye. Had teeth cleaned and 2 rotten ones removed Nov 2005. Euthanised 14th May 2006 due to deterioration from above illness
Aust Ch Weedram Dances W Wolves D.O.B. 3.4.91 Sire: Ch Beleesha Bounty Hunter Dam: Ch Weedram Grand Fantasy owners Lumineux	B	3.4 Gr 1		Clear 4.3.1995	Scissor 1 missing pm	First suspected cancer of the spleen nothing found under surgery, so suspected bone cancer. Main symptom was pale muccous membranes - due to Dessimated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), also lethargy & loss of appetite, Lab report from two lung samples after surgery - Diagnosis: Acute and subacute pulmonary hemorrhage and edema with occasional fibrin vascular thromi, Lung. Comments: included - Cardiac disease and toxicosis would also have to be considered as possible causes of these changes. Deceased 24th Nov 1999. Did not recover from exploratory surgery
Aust Ch Weedram Material Girl D.O.B. 27.9.93 Sire: Ch Weedram Beat The Critics Dam: Ch Weedram Hanky Panky owners Lumineux	B	3.3 Gr 1			Full Scissor	Dam of Lumineux "Star" litter 10th June 1999 by Caesarean, only one pup survived past day four, cause of death unknown. and Lumineux "Starr 2" Litter 13th Dec 2002 Laryngeal scarring - scar tissue formation that can interfere with breathing (from debarking) unable to correct with surgery (twice) Euthanised 1/2/2005 cancer
Aust Ch Zellik Notorious Flyer (Imp UK) D.O.B. 1.9.93 Sire: Zellik Hgh Flyer Dam: Zellik Dark Desire owners Lumineux & Graebelge Knls	B	1.1 Gr 0		Final eye exam Eyes pronounced Clear 18.12.2004, but mild case of panus	Full Scissor	Imported from the UK Released from quarantine (of 2 months) Feb 1994 Entire male Urinary tract infection 1995 Sire of Graebelge "D" litter 25th Oct 1996 Lumineux "H" litter 12th Jan 1997 Moonshadow litter 19th Oct 1997 Mirribandi K iitter 27th July 1997 Mirribandi M Litter 7th April 1999 Has epileptic progeny. Desexed Stroke 2006 Euthanised 29th Dec 2006

MAF: What are the symptoms of EIC?
Dr. Taylor: Dogs with EIC are normal at rest and are usually described as being extremely fit, prime athletic specimens of their breed. These dogs can tolerate mild or steady exercise, but five to 20 minutes of strenuous exercise, especially together with a high level of excitement or stress, induces weakness and incoordination and then collapse. Weakness will usually be noted in the hind legs first, causing dogs to drag their hind legs as they run. In some dogs the weakness will progress to involve all four limbs. These dogs may actually collapse and appear unable to move their limbs or raise their head. Dogs are usually mentally normal during their collapse, but a few dogs appear disoriented and may exhibit a loss of balance. Most dogs with EIC return to normal after 10 to 20 minutes of rest, but a few affected dogs have died during episodes of collapse.