title: International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force consensus proposal: medical treatment of canine epilepsy in Europe.
abstract: In Europe, the number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) licensed for dogs has grown considerably over the last years. Nevertheless, the same questions remain, which include, 1) when to start treatment, 2) which drug is best used initially, 3) which adjunctive AED can be advised if treatment with the initial drug is unsatisfactory, and 4) when treatment changes should be considered. In this consensus proposal, an overview is given on the aim of AED treatment, when to start long-term treatment in canine epilepsy and which veterinary AEDs are currently in use for dogs. The consensus proposal for drug treatment protocols, 1) is based on current published evidence-based literature, 2) considers the current legal framework of the cascade regulation for the prescription of veterinary drugs in Europe, and 3) reflects the authors' experience. With this paper it is aimed to provide a consensus for the management of canine idiopathic epilepsy. Furthermore, for the management of structural epilepsy AEDs are inevitable in addition to treating the underlying cause, if possible.
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, United Kingdom. luisa.derisio@aht.org.uk.
authors: Luisa
authors: L
authors: De Risio
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: Vet Extra Neurology, Broadleys Veterinary Hospital, Craig Leith Road, Stirling, FK7 7LE, Stirlingshire, United Kingdom. jacques.penderis@vet-neurology.co.uk.
authors: Jacques
authors: J
authors: Penderis
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 Veterinary and Clinical 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, United Kingdom. robyn.fernside@googlemail.com.
authors: Robyn G
authors: RG
authors: Farquhar
authors: Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximillians-University, Veterinärstr. 13, 80539, Munich, Germany. andreafischer@lmu.de.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Fischer
authors: University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Weibee, 3015, VIC, Australia. snlong@unimelb.edu.au.
authors: Sam
authors: S
authors: Long
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany. Wolfgang.Loescher@tiho-hannover.de.
authors: Wolfgang
authors: W
authors: Löscher
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Fitzpatrick Referrals, Halfway Lane, Eashing, Godalming, GU7 2QQ, Surrey, United Kingdom. ClareR@fitzpatrickreferrals.co.uk.|School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7TE, Surrey, United Kingdom. ClareR@fitzpatrickreferrals.co.uk.
authors: Clare
authors: C
authors: Rusbridge
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; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004285:Dogs; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D038622:Internationality; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants