Comparison of clorazepate and levetiracetam as pulse therapy for the in-home management of cluster seizures in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy: a pilot study

We are seeking dogs with idiopathic epilepsy that experience cluster seizures for a new study led by Drs. Karen Muñana and Alejandra Mondino, evaluating pulse therapy for the in-home treatment of cluster seizures.

Dogs will be recruited based on the following inclusion criteria:

• A diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy, based on  1) A seizure onset between 6 months and 6 years of age, and 2) A normal neurological examination, and 3) lack of laboratory abnormalities to suggest an underlying cause for the seizures;
• A minimum 6 month documented history of seizures that includes the presence of cluster seizures, defined as 2 or more generalized seizures within a 24 hour period;
  An average seizure frequency of >1 per month;
• Current treatment with any maintenance antiseizure drug regimen, either monotherapy or polytherapy, administered at appropriate dosages based on target serum concentrations if applicable.

Dogs must not currently be prescribed an in-home emergency protocol that includes administration of either oral clorazepate or levetiracetam for one or more days; dogs that are administered additional (single) doses of levetiracetam after a seizure are eligible.

Study visits and all study related medications will be provided at no cost to the client.