Epilepsy in horses: aetiological classification and predictive factors.
V A Lacombe1, M Mayes, S Mosseri
1Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA. lacombe.2@osu.edu
Equine Veterinary Journal
|December 16, 2011
Summary
This study classifies equine seizures, finding most epilepsy cases are symptomatic or cryptogenic. These findings aid in diagnosing epilepsy in horses.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Neurology
- Equine Medicine
- Epileptology
Background:
- A systematic classification of seizures in horses is currently lacking.
- This contrasts with existing reports in human and small animal medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To classify equine seizures based on their aetiology.
- To characterize epilepsy in a cohort of 104 horses presented for seizures.
- To establish predictive factors for epilepsy diagnosis in horses.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective observational study design was employed.
- Seizures were classified by aetiology using history, clinical data, diagnostic imaging (EEG, CSF, CT), and post-mortem examinations.
- Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.
Main Results:
- Epilepsy (≥2 recurrent seizures) was identified in 70% of cases.
- Epilepsy was further classified as symptomatic (35.6%), cryptogenic (54.8%), and idiopathic (2.7%).
- Normal neurological exams, unprovoked seizures, and epileptiform activity on EEG correlated with epilepsy; generalized seizures had lower odds of epilepsy compared to partial seizures.
Conclusions:
- Symptomatic and cryptogenic seizures were the most common aetiologies in horses.
- Reactive seizures and idiopathic epilepsy were less frequent.
- This classification and characterization of equine epilepsy provide insights into predictive factors, aiding early diagnosis.
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