Updated information on Canine Epilepsy

Nancy McDonald RN, BSN, retired

The International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force was established and chaired in 2014 by Professor Holger Volk DVM of the Royal Veterinary College to formally agree on key aspects of canine and feline epilepsy. Twenty-six international vets and scientists came together to set out unified and standardised guidelines for research, diagnosis and treatment.
Epilepsy is one of the most common diseases encountered in veterinary practice. The prevalence of the illness means there have been numerous research studies carried out over the years. However, the lack of consistency in classifications, definitions, therapeutic outcome measures, neuroimaging and neuropathological standards have differed among the studies, thus limiting any scientific impact. In addition professional guidelines were lacking which in turn affects clinicians in diagnosing and treating seizure conditions.

International veterinary epilepsy task force consensus report on epilepsy definition, classification and terminology in companion animals
http://bmcvetres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12917-015-0461-2

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Neurology experts put heads together on epilepsy
https://www.avma.org/News/JAVMANews/Pages/151201m.aspx

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Four veterinarians in the United States are members of this task force:
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1052 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA (Karen Mu?$B!^(Bana)
https://cvm.ncsu.edu/epilepsy-task-force/
https://cvm.ncsu.edu/research/labs/clinical-sciences/companion-animal-epilepsy/
http://www.vetmed.umn.edu/bio/college-of-veterinary-medicine/ned-patterson

College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, 501 DW Brooks Drive, Athens, GA 30602, USA (Simon Platt)
http://vet.uga.edu/hospital/services/neurology_neurosurgery/epilepsy

Chicago Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery, 3123 N. Clybourn Avenue, Chicago, IL 60618, USA (Michael Podell)
http://chicagovetspecialists.com/category/articles/dr-michael-podell/

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Additional websites that may be beneficial:
Royal Veterinary College creates a dog epilepsy smart-phone app to help manage man’s best friend’s fits.
http://www.pcfce.org.uk/images/pcfce/RVC%20App.pdf
What to do if your dog is having a seizure
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2016/02/prweb13203295.htm