Treatment of epilepsy in cats and dogs

Epilepsy represents the most common chronic neurological condition in the dog. As our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology improves, we are better able to describe the neuroanatomical diagnosis, select the best medication for an individual patient and predict the potential for pharmacoresistance to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). An epileptic seizure is a clinical sign of neurological disease (similar to any other neurological abnormality, such as ataxia or paresis), whereas epilepsy is defined as recurrent epileptic seizures (ie, a patient does not have epilepsy until it has had repeated seizures). Epileptogenesis is the process whereby a seizure focus develops or increases in size, with an associated increase in seizure frequency or severity. While the effect of early instigation of treatment with AEDs on epileptogenesis is still to be elucidated, it is apparent that early treatment results in the development of less long term adverse behaviour effects in the patient. The main risk factors for pharmacoresistance to AEDs include breed (in particular the border collie) and severe or progressively worsening seizures. Publication Type Journal article. <8> Accession Number 20143333679 Author Risio, L. de; Platt, S. Title Canine and feline epilepsy: diagnosis and management. Source Canine and feline epilepsy: diagnosis and management; 2014. :viii + 591 pp. many ref. Publisher CABI Location of Publisher Wallingford Country of Publication UK Abstract The authors of this 591-paged book collaborated in order to provide information on multiple aspects of canine and feline seizures and epilepsy such as pathophysiology, classification, aetiologies and differential diagnoses, epidemiology, diagnostic investigations and emergency and maintenance treatment. Mechanism of action, metabolism and pharmacokinetics, pharmacokinetic interactions and adverse reactions, dosing, monitoring recommendations and efficacy of old and new generation antiepileptic medications are presented in detail. The book consists of 25 chapters and includes a glossary on pharmacological terminology at the end of the book to help redears understand this particular subject area. The authors hope that knowledge of this complex subject would aid veterinarians to improve the care of dogs and cats with seizure activity. This book is designed to help veterinary students, veterinary general practitioners, as well as veterinary interns, residents and specialists in neurology or in disciplines related to neurology (e.g. internal medicine, oncology, surgery, behavioural medicine and pharmacology).