RVC Study invitation for owners of Dachshunds with Epilepsy

Continuing with research into canine idiopathic epilepsy at the Royal Veterinary College, the Clinical Investigation Centre and the Epilepsy Clinic at the RVC is working with a small animal health and wellness company to confirm the efficacy and safety of a novel diet in the management of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy being treated with phenobarbitone and/or potassium bromide.

The influence of diet on epilepsy severity is established in humans, with many diets having been shown to improve seizure control. However, there is little data to support the use of diets in veterinary medicine. A new diet has been developed which could improve the management of epileptic dogs, not only by reducing seizure frequency, but also by decreasing the level of side-effects seen with standard antiepileptic drugs. To confirm the efficacy of this new diet, we would like to recruit dogs which are suspected of having idiopathic epilepsy.

• Dogs which have a seizure frequency of at least three seizures in the last three months.

• Dogs receiving phenobarbitone and/or potassium bromide treatment.

Client incentives:

• A comprehensive investigation of the idiopathic epilepsy by our neurologists Ms Emma Davies or Dr. Holger Volk with a special

interest in this field.

• Free diagnostic tests including haematology, biochemistry, metabolic profiling and a dynamic bile acid test.

• Serum phenobarbitone and potentially potassium bromide concentrations will be assessed.

• A six month supply of dog food.

Inclusion criteria:

• Dogs suspected of having idiopathic epilepsy.

• Unremarkable MRI and CSF analysis.

• Dogs aged .6 months and .10 years.

For further information please contact:

The Clinical Investigation Centre, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA

Tel: +44 (0) 1707 666605

Email: cic@rvc.ac.uk