Otherwise healthy dogs begin having seizures at 2-5 years, and no cause for the seizures can be identified. In many cases, the seizures are mild and infrequent, and no treatment is necessary. Phenobarbital is currently considered the drug of choice, and is widely used in IG's. In every breed in which research has been undertaken, idiopathic epilepsy has been determined to be an inherited disease. It is not recommended to breed an animal that has seizures.
Symptoms can be variable, ranging from weight loss to weight gain to hair loss.
The veterinarian now has a wide range of blood tests available to help ascertain the level of thyroid function, and if necessary, supplemental thyroid hormone can be given in tablet form. Once again, breeding of affected dogs is not recommended. Dilute colors can include blue, blue-fawn, fawn, etc. White-haired areas are not affected. Many dilute IG's retain a full hair coat all their lives.