Risk factors associated with short-term mortality and recurrence of status epilepticus in dogs

Status epilepticus (SE) is an emergency associated with serious consequences for both patient and owner. Data regarding risk factors for short-term mortality or recurrence in dogs with SE is limited.

Identify risk factors associated with short-term mortality (euthanasia or spontaneous death) and recurrence of SE in dogs.

One hundred twenty-four client-owned dogs that sustained an episode of SE.

Retrospective multicenter study using data collected from medical records of dogs presented in SE to the contributing institutions. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed using a manual backwards stepwise approach to identify risk factors associated with short-term mortality and recurrence of SE after discharge.

Short-term mortality for affected dogs was 29.8%. Factors significantly associated with short-term mortality included increased patient age, shorter duration of hospitalization, development of SE before arrival, and SE caused by a potentially fatal etiology. Status epilepticus recurred in 27% of dogs that survived to discharge. Factors significantly associated with recurrence of SE included prior history of pharmacoresistant epilepsy and predominance of a focal seizure phenotype.

Our results may be used to inform clinicians and dog owners regarding risk factors for both short-term mortality and recurrence in dogs with SE.