Leaflet

WHAT ARE THE CLINICAL SIGNS OF VIP ?

• Difficulty swallowing food and water.
• Coughing, choking, regurgitation and drooling
• Muscle wasting especially around the head.
• Fatigue/exercise intolerance/stiffness of gait.
• Aspiration Pneumonia (AP)

BE AWARE ! – EACH DOG CAN PRESENT DIFFERENTLY   Onset can be sudden and extreme or more insidious with messy eating and drinking often noted.

CAUTION !  We are seeing an increasing number of VIP dogs where presenting clinical signs wrongly lead to a suspicion of obstruction. If you find yourself in that position please take this leaflet to the vets with you.Because of the messy eating and drinking many dogs can also present with Aspiration Pneumonia – this is a very serious life threatening condition.

IS VIP RARE ? Unfortunately not, we are seeing an increase in confirmed cases and can be sure that these are just a drop in the ocean. Due to the complex nature of the illness diagnosis is often difficult and many owners do not know of the research

WHAT AGE DOES VIP HAPPEN ? VIP can present at ANY age, young to old but is most common in adolescence.

COULD YOU HELP STOP VIP? YES !!…By offering a very simple saliva sample to the research project. However; your dog’s sample not being required does not necessarily mean that your “lines are clear”- it only confirms that your dog does not have a VIP affected  first degree relative.  – read more about DNA Collection

I THINK MY DOG HAS VIP OR IS RELATEDTO A DOG WITH VIP, WHAT SHOULD I DO ? Ask for help – contact Di Addicott

I WANT TO LEARN MORE   You can learn more about VIP and other immune-mediated diseases affecting vizslas at www.vizslahealth.net or on Facebook – Vizsla Health UK

I NEED SUPPORT   Facebook – Vizsla Health UK – Immune Mediated Illness –

RESEARCH…VETS AND OWNERS – it is vital for all dogs with VIP to be recorded and count as part of the ongoing research. Contact Di Addicott for details

EMERGENCY VIP CONTACT FOR OWNERS AND VETS – Di Addicott – 01759 306 057