Canine and Feline Epilepsy: First Global Consensus Resulting from Collaboration Among Experts in Veterinary Neurology

For the first time in veterinary medicine, an international panel of 26 veterinarians and scientists has succeeded in establishing unified and standardized guidelines for the research, diagnosis, and treatment of epilepsy in dogs and cats. The International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force (IVETF), composed of practitioners and experts in veterinary and human neuropharmacology, neuropathology, and neurology, has adopted seven “consensus statements” that outline a number of recommendations and classifications covering all aspects of the disease. The goal is to advance our understanding of canine and feline epilepsy in order to ultimately provide better treatment for affected pets. This marks the first time that veterinary neurologists and neuroscience researchers have officially reached a consensus on the key aspects of epilepsy in pets. Established last year, this working group is chaired by Prof. Holger Volk, a specialist in neurology and neurosurgery at the Royal Veterinary College in London. Canine epilepsy is one of the most common conditions in veterinary practice. Its prevalence has led to numerous studies conducted over the years on pets. However, despite the frequency of research on the subject, the lack of consistency and standardization in the collected data limits the scope of these studies, thereby restricting their scientific impact. This lack of consistency also leads to confusion in communication between pet owners and veterinarians regarding the disease. It is indeed difficult to plan a treatment, gain the client’s cooperation, or measure therapeutic outcomes when definitions, classifications, terminology, and standards vary so widely, making comparisons impossible. The proliferation of recommendations also affects practitioners when establishing a diagnosis or choosing a treatment. The IVETF’s collaborative approach has made it possible to identify a “chain of care,” extending from the breeder and the animal’s owner to the attending veterinarian, and on to the neurologist and neuroscientist. Each consensus statement aims to provide every link in the chain with a simple, pragmatic, reliable, and relevant tool. The IVETF has also developed a tailored scientific and clinical framework to better manage and study epilepsy, while agreeing on a common language and a clear description of breed-specific epileptic syndromes.  

The seven consensus statements of the International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force

1. IVETF consensus report on epilepsy definition, classification, and terminology in companion animals (http://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-015-0461-2 ). 2. IVETF consensus proposal: Diagnostic approach to epilepsy in dogs (http://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-015-0462-1 ). 3. IVETF’s current understanding of idiopathic epilepsy of genetic or suspected genetic origin in purebred dogs (http://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-015-0463-0 ). 4. IVETF consensus proposal: Medical treatment of canine epilepsy in Europe (http://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-015-0464-z ). 5. IVETF consensus proposal: Outcomes of therapeutic interventions in canine and feline epilepsy (http://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-015-0465-y ). 6. IVETF recommendations for a veterinary epilepsy-specific MRI protocol (http://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-015-0466-x ). 7. IVETF recommendations for systematic sampling and processing of brains from dogs and cats with epilepsy (http://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-015-0467-9 ).  

IVETF members who participated in the consensus

> Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen (Denmark). > Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University (Belgium). > Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona (Spain). > Center for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich (Germany). > University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (Germany). > University of Utrecht (Netherlands). > University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna (Austria). > Animal Health Trust, Suffolk (United Kingdom). > Fitzpatrick Referrals, Surrey (United Kingdom). > Fernside Veterinary Centre, Hertfordshire (United Kingdom). > Royal Veterinary College, London (United Kingdom). > Vet Extra Neurology, Broadleys Veterinary Hospital (United Kingdom). > Veterinary School, University of Surrey (United Kingdom). > University of Melbourne, Victoria (Australia). > College of Veterinary Medicine, University of North Carolina (United States). > College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota (United States). > College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia (United States). > Chicago Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery (United States).