Epilepsy In Dogs Research Articles

Clinical evaluation of γ-vinyl-γ-aminobutyric acid for control of epilepsy in dogs

Summary Gamma-vinyl-γ-aminobutyric acid is a novel antiepileptic drug that exerts its effects by increasing the concentration of γ-aminobutyric acid in the brain. The mechanism of action involves irreversible inhibition of the metabolic pathway of γ-aminobutyric acid. The drug was administered to 14 dogs in conjunction with other anticonvulsants, in an attempt to control refractory epilepsy. Four of these dogs had clinically relevant evidence of decreased seizure frequency. In 4 dogs, response to the drug was no better than response to phenobarbital alone. In 2 dogs, seizure control improved, but γ-vinyl-γ-aminobutyric acid was withdrawn because of development of hemolytic anemia. For various reasons, the therapeutic effect in the remaining 4 dogs could not be evaluated. This study of only 14 dogs illustrates some of the problems that confound our ability to judge the efficacy of anticonvulsant treatment.

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:Rusty's Story. Carol Gino.Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. David N. F. Fairbanks, Shiro Fujita, Takenosuke Ikematsu, and F. Blair Simmons.The Clinical Neurosciences. Neurology. Neurosurgery. Neuropathology. Neuroradiology. Neurobiology. Roger N. Rosenberg (ed.).Diagnosis and Management of Seizures in Children. Gregory L. Holmes, M.D. W.B. Saunders Company, PhiladelphiaThe Principles and Practice of Medicine. Twenty‐First Edition. A. McGehee Harvey, Richard J. Johns, Victor A. McKusick, Albert H. Owens, Jr., and Richard S. Ross (eds.).The Medical Mind of Shakespeare. Aubrey C. Kail. Williams and Wilkins, BaltimoreDiseases of the Nervous System. Clinical Neurobiology. Volumes I and II. Arthur K. Asbury, Guy M. McKhann, and W. Ian McDonald.The Management of Epilepsy in Dogs. Phyllis G. Croft.Epileptische Anfalle. Phanomenologie, Differential‐diagnose und Therapie. Kazimierz KarbowskiProgress in Neuropathology. Volume 6. Harry M. Zimmerman (ed.).Clinical Trials, Design, Conduct, and Analysis. Curtis L. Meinert.The Biochemical Basis of Neuropharmacology, Fifth Edition. Jack R. Cooper, Floyd E. Bloom, and Robert H. Roth.Guide to Clinical Interpretation of Data. Bert Spilker.

The management of epilepsy in dogs

Abstract Extract Madam:- We read the review by M.F. Tartellin (N.Z. vet. J. August 1985) of the above publication with interest and indeed we appreciate his dilemma.

HEAD INJURIES: EFFECTS AND THEIR APPRAISAL

<h3>HISTORICAL REVIEW</h3> The rôle of head trauma in the production of convulsive phenomena is well known. Experimentally, this problem has received much attention. Brown-Séquard, in 1851, traumatized various parts of the central nervous system in rabbits and was able to induce convulsions by means of lesions of the medulla, cord, peduncles and quadrigeminal bodies. He observed that contralateral convulsive phenomena occurred secondary to cerebral lesions. Nothnagel, in 1868, produced small focal lesions in the pons in rabbits and also was able to elicit convulsions. Subsequently, Westphal (1871) was able to produce fits in rabbits by striking them on the head. The convulsions appeared directly or within a few seconds following the trauma and in some of these animals continued for several months. Later, Luciani (1878) and Vulpian (1885) were able to obtain spontaneous epilepsy in dogs and cats by the excision of various cortical areas. Convulsions did not appear immediately

The Value of Luminal Soda for Epilepsy in Dogs

The Value of Luminal Soda for Epilepsy in Dogs