Improving seizure control in dogs with refractory epilepsy using gabapentin as an adjunctive agent

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Neurology
• Pharmacology
• Epileptology

Background:

• Refractory epilepsy in dogs often requires adjunctive therapies.
• Phenobarbitone and potassium bromide are common first-line treatments.
• Gabapentin's efficacy as an add-on therapy for canine epilepsy is under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of adding gabapentin to existing phenobarbitone and/or potassium bromide treatment in dogs with refractory epilepsy.
• To assess changes in seizure frequency, interictal periods, and recovery times.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study involving 17 dogs with refractory epilepsy (16 idiopathic).
• Dogs received phenobarbitone and/or potassium bromide, with gabapentin added (35-50 mg/kg/d).
• Seizure activity, side effects, and biochemical analytes were monitored over 4 months.

Main Results:

• No significant overall decrease in seizure frequency, but three dogs became seizure-free.
• A significant increase in the interictal period was observed (P > 0.001).
• Initial side effects (sedation, ataxia) were transient; no significant long-term adverse effects were noted.

Conclusions:

• Gabapentin as an adjunctive therapy can increase interictal periods and improve post-seizure recovery in some canine epileptics.
• Complete seizure prevention was achieved in some cases.
• The short half-life of gabapentin is beneficial, but cost may be a limiting factor.