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Munguia GG, Brooks AC, Thomovsky SA, Thomovsky EJ, Rincon A, Johnson PA. Emergency Approach to Acute Seizures in Dogs and Cats. Vet Sci 2024; 11:277. [PMID: 38922024 PMCID: PMC11209469 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11060277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Seizures are a common presentation seen in small animal practices. Seizures require prompt management including initial interventions for triage, stabilization, and treatment with first-line anticonvulsant (AC) drugs like benzodiazepines. Concurrently, ruling out metabolic or extracranial causes with point-of-care diagnostics can help guide further diagnostics and treatments. Analysis of the history and a physical exam are also necessary to rule out common "look-alikes" that require specific diagnostic workup and treatments. Typically, causes of seizures can be grouped into intracranial and extracranial causes, with the latter being easier to diagnose with commonly available tests. This review presents a systematic approach to the diagnosis and treatment of single seizures, cluster seizures, and status epilepticus in dogs and cats.
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Charalambous M, Muñana K, Patterson EE, Platt SR, Volk HA. ACVIM Consensus Statement on the management of status epilepticus and cluster seizures in dogs and cats. J Vet Intern Med 2024; 38:19-40. [PMID: 37921621 PMCID: PMC10800221 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Seizure emergencies (ie, status epilepticus [SE] and cluster seizures [CS]), are common challenging disorders with complex pathophysiology, rapidly progressive drug-resistant and self-sustaining character, and high morbidity and mortality. Current treatment approaches are characterized by considerable variations, but official guidelines are lacking. OBJECTIVES To establish evidence-based guidelines and an agreement among board-certified specialists for the appropriate management of SE and CS in dogs and cats. ANIMALS None. MATERIALS AND METHODS A panel of 5 specialists was formed to assess and summarize evidence in the peer-reviewed literature with the aim to establish consensus clinical recommendations. Evidence from veterinary pharmacokinetic studies, basic research, and human medicine also was used to support the panel's recommendations, especially for the interventions where veterinary clinical evidence was lacking. RESULTS The majority of the evidence was on the first-line management (ie, benzodiazepines and their various administration routes) in both species. Overall, there was less evidence available on the management of emergency seizure disorders in cats in contrast to dogs. Most recommendations made by the panel were supported by a combination of a moderate level of veterinary clinical evidence and pharmacokinetic data as well as studies in humans and basic research studies. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Successful management of seizure emergencies should include an early, rapid, and stage-based treatment approach consisting of interventions with moderate to preferably high ACVIM recommendations; management of complications and underlying causes related to seizure emergencies should accompany antiseizure medications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karen Muñana
- North Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | | | | | - Holger A. Volk
- University of Veterinary Medicine HannoverHannoverGermany
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Charalambous M, Volk HA, Van Ham L, Bhatti SFM. First-line management of canine status epilepticus at home and in hospital-opportunities and limitations of the various administration routes of benzodiazepines. BMC Vet Res 2021; 17:103. [PMID: 33663513 PMCID: PMC7934266 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-021-02805-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marios Charalambous
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
| | - Holger A Volk
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Luc Van Ham
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Sofie F M Bhatti
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
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Roynard P, Bilderback A, Dewey CW. Intravenous Ketamine Bolus(es) for the Treatment of Status Epilepticus, Refractory Status Epilepticus, and Cluster Seizures: A Retrospective Study of 15 Dogs. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:547279. [PMID: 33681317 PMCID: PMC7925624 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.547279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Status epilepticus (SE) and cluster seizures (CS) are common occurrences in veterinary neurology and frequent reasons of admission to veterinary hospitals. With prolonged seizure activity, gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA) receptors (GABAa receptors) become inactive, leading to a state of pharmacoresistance to benzodiazepines and other GABAergic medications, which is called refractory status epilepticus (RSE). Prolonged seizure activity is also associated with overexpression of N-methyl-D-aspartic (NMDA) receptors. Rodent models have shown the efficacy of ketamine (KET) in treating RSE, and its use has been reported in one canine case of RSE. Boluses of KET 5 mg/kg IV have become the preferred treatment for RSE in our hospital. A retrospective study was performed to evaluate and report our experience with KET IV bolus to treat prolonged and/or repeated seizure activity in cases of canine CS, SE, and RSE. A total of 15 dogs were retrieved, for 20 hospitalizations and 28 KET IV injections over 3 years. KET IV boluses were used 12 times for RSE (9 generalized seizures, 3 focal seizures) and KET terminated the episode of RSE 12/12 times (100%); however, seizures recurred 4/12 times (33%) within ≤6 h of KET IV bolus. When used for CS apart from episodes of RSE, KET IV bolus was associated with termination of the CS episode only 4/14 times (29%). Only 4/28 (14%) KET IV boluses were associated with adverse effects imputable only to the use of KET. One dog experienced a short, self-limited seizure activity during administration of KET IV, which was most likely related to a pre-mature use of KET IV (i.e., before GABAergic resistance and NMDA receptor overexpression had taken place). This study indicates that KET 5 mg/kg IV bolus may be successful for the treatment of RSE in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Roynard
- Long Island Veterinary Specialists, Department of Neurology/Neurosurgery, Plainview, NY, United States
| | - Ann Bilderback
- VCA Northwest Veterinary Specialists, Clackamas, OR, United States
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Barnes Heller HL. Update on Anticonvulsant Therapy in the Emergent Small Animal Patient. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2020; 50:1423-1431. [PMID: 32859402 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2020.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Seizures are common in veterinary patients and control is critical to the overall patient health. The benzodiazepine class of drugs (diazepam, midazolam, and lorazepam) often are the drug class of choice; however, levetiracetam and propofol also have been gaining favor as anticonvulsant drugs for acute seizure management. After cessation of seizures, practitioners then can discuss long-term seizure control on a case-by-case basis with clients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi L Barnes Heller
- Barnes Veterinary Specialty Services, LLC, 1125 Frisch Road, Madison, WI 53711, USA.
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Aldawsari MF, Lau VW, Babu RJ, Arnold RD, Platt SR. Pharmacokinetic evaluation of novel midazolam gel formulations following buccal administration to healthy dogs. Am J Vet Res 2018; 79:73-82. [PMID: 29287157 DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.79.1.73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the physiochemical properties and pharmacokinetics of 3 midazolam gel formulations following buccal administration to dogs. ANIMALS 5 healthy adult hounds. PROCEDURES In phase 1 of a 2-phase study, 2 gel formulations were developed that contained 1% midazolam in a poloxamer 407 (P1) or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (H1) base and underwent rheological and in vitro release analyses. Each formulation was buccally administered to 5 dogs such that 0.3 mg of midazolam/kg was delivered. Each dog also received midazolam hydrochloride (0.3 mg/kg, IV). There was a 3-day interval between treatments. Blood samples were collected immediately before and at predetermined times for 8 hours after drug administration for determination of plasma midazolam concentration and pharmacokinetic analysis. During phase 2, a gel containing 2% midazolam in a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose base (H2) was developed on the basis of phase 1 results. That gel was buccally administered such that midazolam doses of 0.3 and 0.6 mg/kg were delivered. Each dog also received midazolam (0.3 mg/kg, IV). All posttreatment procedures were the same as those for phase 1. RESULTS The H1 and H2 formulations had lower viscosity, greater bioavailability, and peak plasma midazolam concentrations that were approximately 2-fold as high, compared with those for the P1 formulation. The mean peak plasma midazolam concentration for the H2 formulation was 187.0 and 106.3 ng/mL when the midazolam dose administered was 0.6 and 0.3 mg/kg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that buccal administration of gel formulations might be a viable alternative for midazolam administration to dogs.
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Charalambous M, Bhatti SFM, Van Ham L, Platt S, Jeffery ND, Tipold A, Siedenburg J, Volk HA, Hasegawa D, Gallucci A, Gandini G, Musteata M, Ives E, Vanhaesebrouck AE. Intranasal Midazolam versus Rectal Diazepam for the Management of Canine Status Epilepticus: A Multicenter Randomized Parallel-Group Clinical Trial. J Vet Intern Med 2017; 31:1149-1158. [PMID: 28543780 PMCID: PMC5508334 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.14734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Revised: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Intranasal administration of benzodiazepines has shown superiority over rectal administration for terminating emergency epileptic seizures in human trials. No such clinical trials have been performed in dogs. Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of intranasal midazolam (IN‐MDZ), via a mucosal atomization device, as a first‐line management option for canine status epilepticus and compare it to rectal administration of diazepam (R‐DZP) for controlling status epilepticus before intravenous access is available. Animals Client‐owned dogs with idiopathic or structural epilepsy manifesting status epilepticus within a hospital environment were used. Dogs were randomly allocated to treatment with IN‐MDZ (n = 20) or R‐DZP (n = 15). Methods Randomized parallel‐group clinical trial. Seizure cessation time and adverse effects were recorded. For each dog, treatment was considered successful if the seizure ceased within 5 minutes and did not recur within 10 minutes after administration. The 95% confidence interval was used to detect the true population of dogs that were successfully treated. The Fisher's 2‐tailed exact test was used to compare the 2 groups, and the results were considered statistically significant if P < .05. Results IN‐MDZ and R‐DZP terminated status epilepticus in 70% (14/20) and 20% (3/15) of cases, respectively (P = .0059). All dogs showed sedation and ataxia. Conclusions and Clinical Importance IN‐MDZ is a quick, safe and effective first‐line medication for controlling status epilepticus in dogs and appears superior to R‐DZP. IN‐MDZ might be a valuable treatment option when intravenous access is not available and for treatment of status epilepticus in dogs at home.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Charalambous
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.,Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - S F M Bhatti
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - L Van Ham
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - S Platt
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - N D Jeffery
- Small Animal Department, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - A Tipold
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - J Siedenburg
- Clinical Department for Small Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - H A Volk
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK
| | - D Hasegawa
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - A Gallucci
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - G Gandini
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - M Musteata
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine Iasi, Iasi, Romania
| | - E Ives
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists, Winchester, Hampshire, UK
| | - A E Vanhaesebrouck
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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de Vries A, Thomson S, Taylor PM. Comparison of midazolam and diazepam as co-induction agents with ketamine for anaesthesia in sedated ponies undergoing field castration. Vet Anaesth Analg 2014; 42:512-7. [PMID: 25308374 DOI: 10.1111/vaa.12230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Accepted: 07/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare intravenous (IV) midazolam and diazepam administered with ketamine for induction of anaesthesia in ponies, already sedated with detomidine, undergoing field castration. STUDY DESIGN Prospective, randomised, 'blinded', clinical study. ANIMALS Twenty Welsh pony yearlings. METHODS After IV injection of detomidine (20 μg kg(-1) ) and phenylbutazone (4.4 mg kg(-1) ) ponies were allocated to receive either IV midazolam (group M) or diazepam (group D) (both 0.06 mg kg(-1) ) with ketamine (2.2 mg kg(-1) ) for induction of anaesthesia. Using simple descriptive scales, quality of sedation, induction, endotracheal intubation, surgical conditions and recovery were scored by observers blinded to treatment. Time from sedation to induction of anaesthesia, IV injection to lateral recumbency, induction to start of surgery, induction to first head lift and to standing, and total surgical time were measured. Cardiorespiratory function was assessed every 5 minutes. Time, number and total quantity of additional IV ketamine as well as any adverse effects were documented. Data were tested for normality and analysed using two-way anova with Bonferroni post hoc tests, unpaired t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests as appropriate. Significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS There were no significant group differences in any of the measured variables except bodyweight (mean ± SD: group M 163 ± 12 kg; group D 150 ± 7 kg; p = 0.01). One pony in group M required ketamine 15 minutes after induction of anaesthesia. Surgical conditions were good in all cases; time from induction to standing was 50 ± 11 minutes in group M and 48 ± 12 minutes in group D. There were no adverse effects. Recoveries were uneventful with minimal ataxia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Midazolam and diazepam at 0.06 mg kg(-1) can be used interchangeably in combination with ketamine for IV induction of short term anaesthesia in ponies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah Thomson
- Davies Veterinary Specialists, Higham Gobion, Hitchin, UK
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Peters RK, Schubert T, Clemmons R, Vickroy T. Levetiracetam rectal administration in healthy dogs. J Vet Intern Med 2014; 28:504-9. [PMID: 24417468 PMCID: PMC4857990 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.12269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2013] [Revised: 09/24/2013] [Accepted: 11/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Levetiracetam is used to manage status epilepticus (SE) and cluster seizures (CS) in humans. The drug might be absorbed after rectal administration and could offer a practical adjunct to rectal administration of diazepam in managing SE and CS. HYPOTHESIS Levetiracetam is rapidly absorbed after rectal administration in dogs and maintains target serum concentrations for at least 9 hours. ANIMALS Six healthy privately owned dogs between 2 and 6 years of age and weighing 10-20 kg. METHODS Levetiracetam (40 mg/kg) was administered rectally and blood samples were obtained immediately before (time zero) and at 10, 20, 40, 60, 90, 180, 360, and 540 minutes after drug administration. Dogs were observed for signs of adverse effects over a 24-hour period after drug administration. RESULTS CLEV at 10 minutes was 15.3 ± 5.5 μg/mL (mean, SD) with concentrations in the target range (5-40 μg/mL) for all dogs throughout the sampling period. Cmax (36.0 ± 10.7 μg/mL) and Tmax (103 ± 31 minutes) values were calculated and 2 disparate groups were appreciated. Dogs with feces in the rectum at the time of drug administration had lower mean Cmax values (26.7 ± 3.4 μg/mL) compared with those without (45.2 ± 4.4 μg/mL). Mild sedation was observed between 60 and 90 minutes without other adverse effects noted. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE This study supports the use of rectally administered levetiracetam in future studies of clinical effectiveness in the management of epileptic dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- R K Peters
- Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
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