IDIOPATHIC EPILEPSY IN 125 DOGS - A LONG-TERM STUDY - CLINICAL AND ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC FINDINGS

Well-documented cases of confirmed idiopathic epilepsy in 125 dogs wer e evaluated retrospectively. forty-six breeds (each with no sex predis position) were examined. Although dogs of all ages were affected, the peak value for the onset of first seizure was between one and five yea rs. Approximately 75 per cent of animals had generalised grand mal typ e seizures with loss of consciousness. Preictal and postictal phases w ere present in the majority of dogs. Interictal electroencephalographi c recordings of 37 anaesthetised dogs were statistically analysed. Hig h frequency and low amplitude paroxysmal discharges with either a foca l or generalised distribution were found in the majority of these dogs . Possible causes for this variation from dog to dog were analysed. It was concluded that, despite anaesthesia, electroencephalographic feat ures were consistent and unique in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy.