Seizures in Young Dogs and Cats: Management*

CE Seizures in immature animals may require treatment. When the underlying cause of seizures cannot be determined or corrected or recurrent seizures are expected, antiepileptic drug therapy is generally recommended. Before administering antiepileptic drug therapy in immature animals, there are special considerations for the liver and kidneys. Specific details for phenobarbital, potassium bromide, and alternative antiepileptic drugs are discussed in this article. Other specific therapies are indicated for structural and metabolic disorders. DECIDING TO TREAT Considering the potential effects of antiepileptics on brain development and the effort and expense of administering the drugs, the decision to treat an immature animal with seizures should be based on objective criteria as suggested by previous reports. Long-term antiepileptic therapy is recommended when an identifiable structural abnormality of the brain, such as hydrocephalus, exists. A history of head trauma in a patient that has seizures may warrant treatment; seizures may begin soon after the trauma or months later. An episode of status epilepticus warrants ongoing antiepileptic therapy unless the cause, such as toxin exposure, is identified and remedied. The occurrence of two seizures within 8 weeks or two cluster seizures within 12 weeks may also justify antiepileptic therapy. The term cluster seizures is used when two or more seizures occur within 24 hours. Selecting an antiepileptic and designing a dosing regimen are more complicated in July 2005 539 COMPENDIUM Seizures in Young Dogs and Cats: Management* Robert L. Bergman, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology) Carolina Veterinary Specialists Charlotte, North Carolina Joan R. Coates, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology) University of Missouri Send comments/questions via email [email protected] or fax 800-556-3288. Visit CompendiumVet.com for full-text articles, CE testing, and CE