Abstract
BackgroundSeizures triggered by eating (STE) behavior are very rare in humans and have not been documented previously in dogs.ObjectivesTo document the occurrence of STE in dogs and describe their clinical features.AnimalsTen client‐owned dogs with STE diagnosed at 5 European referral centers.MethodsA call for suspected cases of STE was made online. This call was followed by a retrospective review of medical records, combined with a questionnaire to be completed by both the owner and the board‐certified neurologist who made the diagnosis. Cases were included if >50% of the seizures that occurred were related to eating and if a minimum diagnostic evaluation for seizures had been performed.ResultsFour cases only had STE and 6 cases had both STE and spontaneous seizures. Four of the dogs were retrievers. The most common seizure type was focal epileptic seizures evolving to become generalized. Nine dogs were diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy. One dog had a presumptive diagnosis of glioma involving the margins of the parietal, temporal, and frontal cortex (the perisylvian region), an area known to have a key role in eating‐associated epilepsy in people. Treatment strategies included a combination of pharmacological management and eating habit changes.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceWe have identified a form of reflex epilepsy in dogs, with STE behavior. Further studies are warranted to improve the characterization and management of STE.
Highlights
Reflex epilepsy is defined by the International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force (IVETF) as epileptic seizures that are objectively and consistently evoked by a specific afferent stimulus or by activity of the patient.[1]
Auditory, somatic sensory, and proprioceptive stimuli associated with seizures include flashing lights, Abbreviations: CRI, constant rate infusion; CT, computed tomography; EEG, electroencephalography; fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), fluid-attenuation inversion recovery; GRE, gradient recalled echo; IE, idiopathic epilepsy; IVETF, International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; SRS, spontaneous recurrent seizures; Seizures triggered by eating (STE), seizures triggered by “eating”
We report for the first time STE in dogs and describe its clinical features
Summary
Reflex epilepsy is defined by the International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force (IVETF) as epileptic seizures that are objectively and consistently evoked by a specific afferent stimulus or by activity of the patient.[1] Eating is an example of several potential triggers.[2]. Auditory, somatic sensory, and proprioceptive stimuli associated with seizures include flashing lights, Abbreviations: CRI, constant rate infusion; CT, computed tomography; EEG, electroencephalography; FLAIR, fluid-attenuation inversion recovery; GRE, gradient recalled echo; IE, idiopathic epilepsy; IVETF, International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; SRS, spontaneous recurrent seizures; STE, seizures triggered by “eating”. Seizures triggered by eating (STE) behavior are very rare in humans and have not been documented previously in dogs. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: We have identified a form of reflex epilepsy in dogs, with STE behavior. Further studies are warranted to improve the characterization and management of STE
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