Idiopathic epilepsy in the Italian Spinone in the United Kingdom: prevalence, clinical characteristics, and predictors of survival and seizure remission.
BACKGROUND
There is lack of data on idiopathic epilepsy (IE) in the Italian Spinone (IS).


OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of IE in the IS in the United Kingdom (UK) and to investigate predictors of survival and seizure remission.


METHODS
The target population consisted of 3331 IS born between 2000 and 2011 and registered with the UK Kennel Club (KC). The owners of 1192 dogs returned phase I questionnaire. Sixty-three IS had IE.


METHODS
Population survey. The owners of all UK KC-registered IS were invited to complete the phase I questionnaire. Information from the phase I questionnaire and veterinary medical records was used to identify IS with IE and obtain data on treatment and survival. Additional information was obtained from owners of epileptic IS who completed the phase II questionnaire.


RESULTS
The prevalence of IE in the IS in the UK was estimated as 5.3% (95% CI, 4.03-6.57%). Survival time was significantly shorter in IS euthanized because of poorly controlled IE compared with epileptic IS that died of unrelated disorders (P = 0.001). Survival was significantly longer in IS with no cluster seizures (CS) (P = 0.040) and in IS in which antiepileptic medication was initiated after the second seizure rather than after ≥3 seizures (P = 0.044). Seizure remission occurred only in 3 IS.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of IE in IS (5.3%) is higher than in dogs (0.6%) in the UK. Idiopathic epilepsy in IS has a severe phenotype. Antiepileptic medication initiation after the second seizure and aggressive treatment of CS may improve survival.
Centre for Small Animal Studies, Animal Health Trust, Suffolk, UK.
L
L
De Risio
Department of Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance, Animal Health Trust, Suffolk, UK.
R
R
Newton
Centre for Small Animal Studies, Animal Health Trust, Suffolk, UK.
J
J
Freeman
Centre for Small Animal Studies, Animal Health Trust, Suffolk, UK.
A
A
Shea
D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D004285:Dogs; D004829:Epilepsy, Generalized / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012074:Remission Induction; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016019:Survival Analysis; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
D000927:Anticonvulsants
Canine; Mortality; Seizures; Semiology