Epilepsy - The Solution What can be done?

There is no simple or easy solution to this problem but it is NOT insurmountable. This breed is so young in this country that with dedicated breeders we should be able to correct this problem before we have allowed it to become widespread throughout the entire United States Lionhead population.

It is wise to remember that hybridization - in an attempt to dilute the genetic base - seems like an easy fix it is not.

* It may simply "mask it" so that we are not aware that we are continuing to reproduce it throughout our bloodlines
* Indiscriminate breeding to every breed using the justification of "widening the gene" will only produce more poor quality Lionheads, doing the breed a great disservice. Hybridization has a place but use it carefully.

So what is the solution?

In my opinion the solution will be found in

1) Careful breeding programs.

* Intelligent use of "other breeds to improve type and widen the genetic base. (While still attempting to make sure the core breeding stock we are using is clean of the genetic defect)
* Refusing to breed from Lionheads that have Epilepsy (these rabbits can look and behave in a normal manner between seizures). This is hard as many of these animals may have cost a huge amount of money or they may be the planned foundation of our breeding program. Once a Lionhead has had any type of seizure it should never be bred from and all offspring it may have already produced have to be followed closely.
* Remove from your breeding program ANY LIONHEADS who have produced epileptic babies.

2) Be AWARE of your rabbits.

* Watch for signs of this condition. Remember unless you are in the rabbitry while your Lionhead is seizing you may not know.
* Learn to look for signs of injury - torn nails, missing hair patches scrapes or bloody noses - these maybe signs that the Lionhead seized while you were not there. Watch for aimless wandering in the cage, strange jerky movements, stiffening in a unnatural way when lifted from the cage or during grooming. Any of these can be a seizure.

REMEMBER a seizure can last minutes or seconds
and are often stimulated by handling, breeding or activity around the rabbit.

3) DON'T HIDE IT.
This breed is very young and we can beat this thing if we all work together.

* Let potential buyers know, if they are not interested in the breed after this information is given that should be understandable. We love our breed and we are willing to tackle and solve this problem, but not everyone else is.
* Stand behind the Lionheads you sell. People who are breeding Lionheads need to be responsible. Replace or refund the purchase price if the bunny you sells turns out to be Epileptic. The owner will have enough problems dealing with how they plan to manage this problem. They deserve the support of the breeder of their animal.
* If you have a Lionhead who has a seizure please report it here, so we can continue to build a data base that may become useful in resolving this problem. lionhead@black-hole.com