Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Status epilepticus and cluster seizures in companion animals
By Patterson, Edward Ned E·Published in The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice·2014·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Status epilepticus and cluster seizures.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Status epilepticus is a serious condition in pets where they have prolonged seizures, which can lead to significant health problems and even death. Treatment usually involves giving sedatives and anesthetics to help control the seizures. For immediate care, veterinarians often start with benzodiazepines, and if those aren't effective, they may use other medications in a step-by-step approach. Recently, a medication called levetiracetam has been used in dogs and shows promise for treating this condition. It's important to act quickly and seek veterinary help if your pet is experiencing seizures.
Abstract
Status epilepticus (SE) is a medical emergency for companion animals, with significant associated morbidity and mortality. Therapy in companion animals and people has been largely with sedatives and anesthetics, many of which have gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor-mediated mechanisms. Early aggressive treatment includes staged first-line therapy with benzodiazepines, and second- and third-line protocols when needed. Recently, intravenous levetiracetam has also been used in for SE in dogs and people, and there are other human intravenous drug preparations that may hold promise for future use in companion animals.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25245182/