Challenging treatment in the control of epileptic seizures in a dog refractory to conventional treatments

Case report

Authors

  • Rosangela Ponce de Carvalho Universidade Unigranrio – AFYA
  • Marcia Bandeira Nalim Universidade Unigranrio – AFYA
  • Fabiana Batalha Knackfuss Universidade Unigranrio – AFYA
  • Thereza Cristina de Vasconcelos Universidade Unigranrio – AFYA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31533/pubvet.v19n06e1788

Keywords:

Anticonvulsant, potassium bromide, phenobarbital, refractory, palmitoylethanolamide

Abstract

 Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent and unpredictable seizures, unlike the term seizure, which refers only to the clinical manifestation of abnormal brain electrical activity. In dogs, it is the most common neurological disorder and may have idiopathic, congenital or secondary causes. This study reports the case of a five-year-old male mixed-breed dog that presented seizure episodes and was initially treated with phenobarbital. Despite dose adjustment, the dog continued to present seizures, suggesting refractoriness to phenobarbital. Therefore, with the persistence of the episodes, potassium bromide was associated as a second drug, Epi Control® to control the intensity of the seizures and the supplement Aliv Pet®, which contains palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), a compound with anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. The therapeutic combination showed a good response, controlling the frequency of the episodes. The case highlights the importance of clinical diagnosis, laboratory tests, in addition to continuous monitoring and exploration of therapeutic alternatives to improve the patient's quality of life. The prognosis depends on the response to treatment and the frequency of seizures; in general, refractory patients can live a long life with good quality of life. The aim of this study was to report a case of a five-year-old male mixed-breed dog refractory to treatment with phenobarbital.

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Published

2025-06-18

Issue

Section

Medicina veterinária

How to Cite

1.
Ponce de Carvalho R, Nalim MB, Knackfuss FB, Vasconcelos TC de. Challenging treatment in the control of epileptic seizures in a dog refractory to conventional treatments: Case report. Pubvet [Internet]. 2025 Jun. 18 [cited 2025 Jun. 18];19(06):e1788. Available from: https://ojs.pubvet.com.br/index.php/revista/article/view/4150

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