Welcome to a website that has been set up to investigate the incidence and distribution of autoimmune and immune mediated illness in the Hungarian Vizsla. The project has the support of the UK breed health coordinator and also of the 2 UK breed associations – the Hungarian Vizsla Club and the Hungarian Vizsla Society.
Interest in immune mediated disease developed as a result of veterinary investigation and eventual recognition of a disease known as Vizsla Inflammatory Polymyopathy (VIP) . It used to be known as Vizsla Polymyositis and is a breed specific presentation of an inflammatory muscle disorder. The illness is typified by pharyngeal dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) together with regurgitation, drooling and muscle wasting (especially round the head)
VIP results from inappropriate immune system behaviour. Here is a Guide as to why Auto-Immune Disease happens