Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Abnormal behavior and aggression in dogs linked to zonisamide
By Kanazono, Shinichi et al.·Published in Frontiers in veterinary science·2021·Neurology and Neurosurgery Service, Japan·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Abnormal Behavior Episodes Associated With Zonisamide in Three Dogs: A Case Report.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Three dogs with epilepsy were brought in for unusual behavior, including sudden aggression, restlessness, and trouble sleeping. After starting a medication called zonisamide, their abnormal behaviors worsened, but they improved almost completely within five days of stopping the drug. When zonisamide was given again, the same aggressive behaviors returned quickly, but disappeared again after stopping the medication. This case highlights that zonisamide can cause serious behavioral side effects in dogs, similar to what has been seen in humans.
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Abstract
Psychiatric adverse effect associated with anti-seizure drugs has been well-recognized in human medicine. This case report describes three dogs with presumptive idiopathic epilepsy presented for abnormal behavior episodes. Abnormal behavior episodes included sudden rage and aggression to the family members, insomnia, restlessness, and/or constant attention-seeking behavior. MRI study and cerebrospinal fluid analysis in two dogs were unremarkable. The abnormal behavior episodes deteriorated along with gradual dose increment of zonisamide and these episodes almost completely disappeared within 5 days after discontinuation of zonisamide. The exact same episodes relapsed within days after re-administration of zonisamide and disappeared again shortly after discontinuation of zonisamide. Dose adjustments of other anti-seizure medications in case 2 did not result in significant changes in these behavior episodes. Although psychiatric adverse effects including aggressive behavior associated with zonisamide are widely recognized in humans, this is the first report in dogs in the clinical setting.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34778438/