Treatment of partial seizures and seizure-like activity with felbamate in six dogs

Six dogs with partial seizures or partial seizure-like activity were treate d with the antiepileptic drug felbamate between 1993 and 1998. All dogs had a history and results of diagnostic testing suggestive of either primary ( idiopathic) or occult secondary epilepsy. Dogs ranged between four months a nd eight years of age at the onset of seizure activity. The median time per iod between onset of the first seizure and the start of felbamate therapy w as 3.8 months (range 0.75 to 36 months). Median duration of therapy was nin e months (range two to 22 months). All dogs experienced a reduction in seiz ure frequency after felbamate administration. Median total number of seizur es post-treatment was two (range 0 to 9). Two dogs had an immediate and pro longed cessation of seizure activity. Steady-state trough serum felbamate c oncentrations measured at two weeks, and one, 12 and 22 months after the co mmencement of therapy In four dogs ranged between 13 and 55 mg/litre (media n 35 mg/litre). Reversible haematological adverse effects were detected in two dogs, with one dog developing concurrent keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Th ese results suggest that felbamate can be an effective antiepileptic drug w ithout life-threatening complications when used as monotherapy for partial seizures in the dog.