title: International veterinary epilepsy task force consensus report on epilepsy definition, classification and terminology in companion animals.
abstract: Dogs with epilepsy are among the commonest neurological patients in veterinary practice and therefore have historically attracted much attention with regard to definitions, clinical approach and management. A number of classification proposals for canine epilepsy have been published during the years reflecting always in parts the current proposals coming from the human epilepsy organisation the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). It has however not been possible to gain agreed consensus, "a common language", for the classification and terminology used between veterinary and human neurologists and neuroscientists, practitioners, neuropharmacologists and neuropathologists. This has led to an unfortunate situation where different veterinary publications and textbook chapters on epilepsy merely reflect individual author preferences with respect to terminology, which can be confusing to the readers and influence the definition and diagnosis of epilepsy in first line practice and research studies.In this document the International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force (IVETF) discusses current understanding of canine epilepsy and presents our 2015 proposal for terminology and classification of epilepsy and epileptic seizures. We propose a classification system which reflects new thoughts from the human ILAE but also roots in former well accepted terminology. We think that this classification system can be used by all stakeholders.
authors: Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark. mbe@sund.ku.dk.
authors: Mette
authors: M
authors: Berendt
authors: Fernside Veterinary Centre, 205 Shenley Road, Borehamwood, SG9 0TH, Hertfordshire, UK. robyn.fernside@googlemail.com.
authors: Robyn G
authors: RG
authors: Farquhar
authors: Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 108, 3583 CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands. P.J.J.Mandigers@uu.nl.
authors: Paul J J
authors: PJ
authors: Mandigers
authors: Clinical Unit of Internal Medicine Small Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria. akos.pakozdy@vetmeduni.ac.at.
authors: Akos
authors: A
authors: Pakozdy
authors: Department of Small Animal Medicine and Clinical Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, 9820, Belgium. sofie.bhatti@ugent.be.
authors: Sofie F M
authors: SF
authors: Bhatti
authors: Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, CB8 7UU, Suffolk, UK. luisa.derisio@aht.org.uk.
authors: Luisa
authors: L
authors: De Risio
authors: Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Veterinärstr. 13, 80539, Munich, Germany. andreafischer@lmu.de.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Fischer
authors: University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Weibee, 3015, Victoria, Australia. snlong@unimelb.edu.au.
authors: Sam
authors: S
authors: Long
authors: Section of Clinical & Comparative Neuropathology, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Veterinärstr. 13, 80539, Munich, Germany. matiasek@patho.vetmed.uni-muenchen.de.
authors: Kaspar
authors: K
authors: Matiasek
authors: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1052 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC, 27607, USA. krmunana@ncsu.edu.
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Muñana
authors: University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, D426 Veterinary Medical Center, 1352 Boyd Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA. patte037@umn.edu.
authors: Edward E
authors: EE
authors: Patterson
authors: Vet Extra Neurology, Broadleys Veterinary Hospital, Craig Leith Road, Stirling, FK7 7LE, Stirlingshire, UK. jacques.penderis@vet-neurology.co.uk.
authors: Jacques
authors: J
authors: Penderis
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, 501 DW Brooks Drive, Athens, GA, 30602, USA. srplatt@uga.edu.
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Platt
authors: Chicago Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery, 3123 N. Clybourn Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60618, USA. mpodell@comcast.net.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Podell
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximillians-University, Königinstr. 16, 80539, Munich, Germany. potschka@pharmtox.vetmed.uni-muenchen.de.
authors: Heidrun
authors: H
authors: Potschka
authors: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain. marti.pumarola@uab.cat.
authors: Martí Batlle
authors: MB
authors: Pumarola
authors: Fitzpatrick Referrals, Halfway Lane, Eashing, Godalming, GU7 2QQ, Surrey, UK. ClareR@fitzpatrickreferrals.co.uk.|School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7TE, Surrey, UK. ClareR@fitzpatrickreferrals.co.uk.
authors: Clare
authors: C
authors: Rusbridge
authors: Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 9, 30559, Hannover, Germany. Veronika.Stein@tiho-hannover.de.
authors: Veronika M
authors: VM
authors: Stein
authors: Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 9, 30559, Hannover, Germany. Andrea.Tipold@tiho-hannover.de.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Tipold
authors: Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, Hertfordshire, UK. hvolk@rvc.ac.uk.
authors: Holger A
authors: HA
authors: Volk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004285:Dogs; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D038622:Internationality; D057805:Pets; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*