Electroencephalography in dogs with epilepsy: similarities between human and canine findings.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the diagnostic value of electroencephalography (EEG) in dogs with epilepsy, applying human criteria for EEG abnormalities observed with this disorder.


METHODS
Twenty-six dogs with a clinically established diagnosis of epilepsy were investigated with electroencephalography (EEG) in order to evaluate the diagnostic yield of EEG in canine epilepsy.


RESULTS
Of 23 dogs with evaluable EEGs 15 (65%) demonstrated abnormal activity. The most common abnormalities were focal low frequency patterns without spikes (48%), followed by focal epileptiform activity (22%) and generalized epileptiform activity (17%). The distribution between focal and generalized activity were 73% and 27%, respectively. Consistency were demonstrated between the clinical- and the EEG-diagnosis in 13 dogs (87%). A relationship was demonstrated between the number of abnormal EEGs and the proximity of a seizure to the EEG examination.


CONCLUSIONS
A marked consistency was demonstrated between the clinical diagnosis of seizure type and the type of abnormalities observed in the EEG, thus indicating that EEG is a valuable diagnostic aid in confirming the diagnosis of epilepsy in dogs. EEG findings in dogs with epilepsy and humans with this disorder were markedly similar.
Berendt
M
M
Dept of Clinical Studies, Small Animal Hospital, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Høgenhaven
H
H
Flagstad
A
A
Dam
M
M
D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004285:Dogs; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000662:veterinary*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012640:Seizures / Q000145:classification / Q000662:veterinary