Putting Evidence Behind Emergency Epilepsy Treatment

When a dog with idiopathic epilepsy begins to seize – especially in frightening, fast-paced succession known as cluster seizures – most dog owners head to emergency clinics for relief. Once there, they may be sent home with medications like clorazepate or levetiracetam, to be given every eight hours until the seizures subside.

Yet there’s a surprising problem: despite widespread use, no clinical studies have ever compared these treatments head-to-head, or quantified just how effective they really are.

Dr. Karen Muñana, a veterinary neurologist and longtime canine epilepsy researcher at NC State University, is working to change that with funding from the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF).

“There’s a big gap between what we do in practice and what we know from evidence,” said Dr. Muñana. “With this study, we’re aiming to close that gap.”

Her research focuses on idiopathic epilepsy, a type of epilepsy with no identifiable structural cause. It accounts for more than half of all canine epilepsy cases, and its symptoms can vary widely, from mild, infrequent seizures to severe clusters that demand emergency intervention.

This current study uses a randomized, blinded design to evaluate outcomes in dogs who receive clorazepate or levetiracetam during seizure clusters. The dogs’ seizure activity, recovery patterns, and side effects are being carefully monitored. This structure will provide unprecedented insight into how these two drugs actually work in real-world settings.

“A lot of pet owners are searching for answers at 2 a.m. when their dog is seizing,” said Dr. Muñana. “We want to make sure the guidance they find is backed by data.”

Early results are promising and suggest real improvements, not only in seizure control, but also in shortening postictal (post-seizure) recovery times, reducing seizure intensity, and improving quality of life.

It’s all part of the broader mission to turn the tide on canine epilepsy – moving from guesswork and fear to precision and confidence, even in moments of crisis.

To support this research and others like it, please consider making a gift to the AKC Canine Health Foundation. Your donation helps fund science that transforms how we care for dogs with epilepsy and gives families the tools they need when it matters most.

Short URL: http://caninechronicle.com/?p=331450

Posted by Liz on Jun 26 2025. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.