Canine epilepsy can feel both sudden and uncertain. One dog may respond well to antiepileptic drugs, while another may continue to have difficult-to-control seizures. For families who love these dogs, that uncertainty can be one of the hardest parts of the disorder.
Researchers have made meaningful progress in understanding canine epilepsy, but important questions remain. Why are some dogs’ seizures better controlled than others? Are there biological clues that could help predict which dogs are at risk for more severe or medication-resistant epilepsy? What measurable factors can veterinarians monitor to guide treatment decisions and improve outcomes for dogs with epilepsy?
With funding from the AKC Canine Health Foundation, Dr. Go Togawa at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech is investigating whether fats naturally found in the blood can help answer these questions.
A Closer Look at Idiopathic Epilepsy
Dr. Togawa’s research focuses on idiopathic epilepsy, the most common form of epilepsy in dogs, a disorder marked by seizures with no identifiable underlying cause.
A key challenge of this disease is its unpredictability. While some dogs achieve good seizure control with medication, others continue to have frequent seizures despite ongoing treatment.
Understanding differences among dogs with the same diagnosis is an important step toward improving care. By uncovering the biological differences between dogs whose seizures are well controlled and those whose seizures remain difficult to manage, researchers may identify new opportunities to improve treatment and quality of life.
Searching for Answers in Healthy Fats
In both humans and dogs, dietary fats, including omega-3 fatty acids, play an important role in brain health. Early studies suggest that dietary omega-3s may help reduce seizure activity in some dogs and could even lower the risk of epilepsy when introduced early in life.
However, researchers still do not know which dogs are most likely to benefit or whether natural omega-3 levels in the body are linked to seizure severity or treatment success. Dr. Togawa’s latest study aims to answer these questions and could help pave the way for more personalized nutritional approaches to managing epilepsy.
Do Blood Fats Hold Clues to Seizure Control?
The study focuses on long-chain fatty acids, including omega-3s, that circulate in the bloodstream. Dr. Togawa’s team will evaluate whether variation in these naturally occurring fats is associated with seizure control and response to epilepsy treatment in dogs.
These fatty acids are being studied as potential biomarkers, measurable signs in the body that can provide clues about a disease and how it behaves. The central question is whether differences in these fats can help explain why some dogs respond well to treatment while others continue to struggle with seizures.
Findings from this research could provide new insights into canine epilepsy and may ultimately lead to the development of a simple blood test that serves as an objective biomarker in clinical care.
This work could also help clarify how a dog’s nutritional status relates to the way epilepsy develops and progresses, offering a clearer understanding of the connection between biology, diet, and how epilepsy differs among dogs.
Turning Uncertainty into Understanding
For dog owners, epilepsy often brings uncertainty. For researchers, uncertainty is the starting point for discovery.
Dr. Togawa’s work reflects the kind of science CHF donors make possible: focused, rigorous research that seeks better answers, one step at a time. By exploring the relationship among natural fats, seizure control, and drug resistance, this study could help build a stronger foundation for future progress in canine epilepsy research.
Every gift to CHF helps move this work forward. Together, we can Turn the Tide on Epilepsy and support the research dogs need for a healthier future.
Support canine epilepsy research at akcchf.org/TurnTheTide.
This study is currently enrolling dogs for participating in the clinical trial in Virginia. To learn more or participate in this study visit: akcchf.org/research/participate-in-research/.
