.Ian Millar, Health co-ordinator of the Schipperke Club writes:

As part of its commitment to the on-going study on epilepsy being conducted by the University of Helsinki, the Schipperke Club has agreed to another collection of buccal swabs at the Club Ch. show at Shenstone on 16th October. Unfortunately, no staff from Finland will be present this time but swabs will be distributed on arrival to those exhibitors who are prepared to participate. Swabs of saliva can easily be taken by owners at the show, provided the dog has not eaten for an hour previously. The procedure is simple but written instructions will be available [with illustrations]. Completed swabs can be returned on the day and will be forwarded by the health co-ordinator. Alternatively, swabs can be done at home and posted direct to Helsinki [within 1 week of taking the sample]. Please do help in this very important work. The more samples, the better!

Some blood testing kits will also be available and if you feel able to help in this aspect of the study, please see Mary Deats on the day. Blood samples would need to be taken by a vet. The University is particularly keen to get samples from dogs diagnosed with epilepsy and from unaffected full siblings. If you have a dog who has epilepsy or know of one which you have bred, please contact the health co- ordinator, Ian Millar, in confidence, if you can help. This is an especially significant area of the research project.

IAN MILLAR [0131 669 2861. E-mail: ianmillar.turnlaw@btinternet.com].