Idiopathic epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disorder of dogs. Approximately half of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy have cluster seizures, defined as 2 or more seizures within a 24-hour period, and have an increased risk of epilepsy-related complications or death associated with this seizure pattern. Treatment regimens that include in-home administration of emergency medication for cluster seizures are commonly prescribed, but there is a lack of evidence on which to base treatment recommendations.
The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of two different treatment protocols for the in-home management of cluster seizures in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy; namely, intermittent oral dosing with clorazepate and intermittent oral dosing with levetiracetam, both used in combination with intranasal midazolam. The study medication is compounded into opaque capsules by the NC State Veterinary Hospital Pharmacy, such that neither the owner nor the investigators are aware of which of the medications is being administered to any individual dog.
Owners are instructed to administer the study medication during seizure episodes and to record information on specific study forms. To date, 13 dogs have been enrolled in the study, and the study is progressing as planned, with data collected from a total of 37 episodes of seizures for which the study protocol was followed. We continue to actively recruit and enroll dogs, with a goal of enrolling 30 dogs in the study. Data analysis will be performed at study completion. The results of this study will provide valuable information to veterinarians when considering in-home treatment options for cluster seizures in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy.