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The Impact of Epilepsy on Pet Caregivers

Epilepsy is the most common neurologic disorder of dogs. Several studies have estimated the prevalence of epilepsy to be 0.62-0.75% in the general dog population. Successful management of epilepsy is a team effort and owner “buy in” to treatment is critical. A recent study published in JAAHA (Nettifee JA et al, 2017) analyzed the effects on epilepsy on pet caregivers.

The authors created an online survey of 59 questions that was publicized through several epilepsy websites and through the author’s Canine Epilepsy research website (Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab). Participants voluntarily filled out the survey over the course of one year (July 2011 through August 2012).

A total of 225 dogs owners completed the survey during that time. Demographic data for breeds reported, frequency of seizures, age of onset, etc. were similar to other studies.

The authors asked participants about the level of support that they received with regard to their epileptic pets. The primary source of support was the veterinarian (89%), but other sources included educational websites (26%), veterinary technicians (24%), printed materials (10%), and communications with other clients (8%). Almost 70% of respondents subscribed to online support groups (e.g., Epi Guardian Angels, Canine Epilepsy Resources, Toby’s Foundation).

The authors were particularly interested in quality-of-life (QOL) measures, as owners of epileptic dogs very often ask neurologists how the dog’s seizures will affect the patient’s and the owners’ QOL. Eight of the 59 questions in the survey were designed to evaluate the owners’ QOL. Each of these questions was rated by the owner on a 5-point scale with a possible total score of 8 to 40 – the higher the number, the better the QOL.

All of the owners reported a significantly decreased QOL after the onset of seizures, but before starting anticonvulsants. As would be expected, the QOL score was better for owners of dogs that had fewer seizures on average each month, experienced individual seizures rather than cluster seizures, had fewer side effects from anticonvulsants, or the patient was not given additional medications during seizure episodes. Surprisingly, the QOL score was not correlated to the number of anticonvulsants given or to the monthly cost of medications.

Source: Nettifee JA, Muñana KR, Griffith EH. Evaluation of the impacts of epilepsy in dogs on their caregivers. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2017;53:143-9.

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Mark Troxel, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)

NeuroPetVet, LLC (neuropetvet.com, neuropetvetacademy.com) was created and is maintained by Dr. Mark Troxel, a board-certified veterinary neurologist with over 20 years of clinical experience. Dr. Troxel received his veterinary degree from the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. Following veterinary school, Dr. Troxel completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine, surgery and critical care at VCA South Shore Animal Hospital in South Weymouth, MA in 2000. He then went on to complete an internal medicine specialty internship at Garden State Veterinary Specialists in New Jersey in 2001. From 2001 to 2004, Dr. Troxel was at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine to complete a residency in medical neurology and neurosurgery. Dr. Troxel became board-certified in neurology by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in July 2004. Following his residency, Dr. Troxel served as the staff neurologist at VCA South Shore Animal Hospital until he joined the Neurology/Neurosurgery Department at Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital in 2005 where he still practices. He has also received an advanced neurosurgery certificate of training and is certified in cervical disc arthroplasty for disc-associated Wobbler Syndrome.

Dr. Troxel is a member of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Veterinary Neurosurgical Society, American Veterinary Medical Association, and the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association.

Dr. Troxel frequently lectures at local, regional and national meetings to veterinarians, students, and technicians. His clinical interests include canine & feline brain tumors, neurosurgery, and vestibular dysfunction.

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