Canine epilepsy is a chronic neurologic disease that can impact the lives of both the affected dogs and their human caregivers. VetVine's #YourPetsBestLife Series is here to inspire and empower veterinary professionals and pet owners with information that will help everyone stay one paw ahead of the challenges that epilepsy can present!
VetVine, in partnership with North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, proudly presents The Canine Epilepsy Summit. Throughout this 4-part series (available for viewing On Demand) you will learn from renowned veterinary experts about all that we can and should be doing to help our four-legged BFFs not just live with epilepsy but thrive and enjoy a best quality of life with their human counterparts.
Program Details:
Session 1: Understanding Seizures and Canine Epilepsy
Part I: Seizures and Diagnosing Canine Epilepsy (Running time: 49 mins)
- Karen Muñana, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology)
In this segment, Dr. Karen Muñana explains how and why seizures develop, the various manifestations of seizures that we can see in animals, and common characteristics of seizure disorders and canine epilepsy.
Canine Epilepsy affects dogs differently - not all dogs are impacted in the same way. This presentation lays the foundation and creates a better understanding on how to approach each dog as an indvidual, essential components of an exam, and how to thoroughly evaluate a patient for diagnosis.
Part II: Behavior Changes in Dogs with Epilepsy (Running time: 28 mins)
- Ana Clara Muñoz, DVM
In humans, the prevalence of psychiatric disorders is greater in patients with epilepsy than in the general population or people with other chronic diseases. In addition, behavioral interventions have been shown to reduce seizure frequency and improve psychiatric comorbidities in human epilepsy patients.
In this segment Dr. Ana Clara Muñoz discusses the behavior changes and comorbidities that may be seen in dogs with epilepsy. Her discussion includes how behavior can be a component, trigger, and a form of intervention for dogs with epilepsy.
Part III: The Genetics and Heritability of Canine Epilepsy (Running time: 23 mins)
- Edward (Ned) Patterson, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM)
In this segment Dr. Ned Patterson discusses our current understanding of the genetics and heritability of canine epilepsy, dog breeds that are commonly affected, and current breeding recommendations.
Session 2: Management and Treatment Considerations for Canine Epilepsy
Part I: Medical Management of Canine Epilepsy (Running time: 54 mins)
- Karen Muñana, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology)
- Devon Hague, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)
In this segment Dr. Karen Muñana and Dr. Devon Hague discuss medical management of dogs with epilepsy and optimizing treatment plans. The emphasis is on maximizing epilepsy care, quality of life, and patient outcomes. This presentation provides guidance on drug selection (which medication and when), side effects, and comparative costs of medications. Patient monitoring, recommendations regarding adjustments to treatment plans, and answers to the most commonly asked questions about patient management are also addressed.
Part II: Adjunctive Therapies for Canine Epilepsy (Running time: 40 mins)
- Simon Platt, BVM&S, FRCVS, DACVIM (Neurology), DECVN
The focus of this segment is on optimization of treatment plans for dogs with refractory epilepsy. Dr. Platt discusses adjunctive therapies to consider including the potential role of cannabis products and CBD, neurostimulation (including vagal nerve stimulation, deep brain stimuation, and transcranial magnetic stimulation), and the role of surgery as a treatment modality.
Session 3: Canine Epilepsy - Management and Treatment Considerations ... Continued
Part I: Nutrition and Integrative Therapies for Dogs with Epilepsy (Running time: 55 mins)
- Holger Volk, PhD, PGCAP, DECVN, FHEA, MRCVS
- Curtis Dewey, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology), DACVS
This segment focuses on the management of dogs with epilepsy through nutrition as well as the evidence-based use of integrative and complementary treatment interventions. You will learn about nutritional considerations for dogs with epilepsy including the use of veterinary therapeutic diets, medium chain triglycerides (MCT oil), and omega 3 fatty acids. Integrative therapeutics including Chinese herbals, acupuncture, and CBD oil will also be discussed.
Part II: The Emergency Management of Seizures in the Home and the Veterinary ER (Running time: 47 mins)
- Marios Charalambous, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DECVN
- Devon Hague, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)
This session focuses on the management of seizure emergencies including cluster seizures and status epilepticus. Dr. Charalambous begins with a discussion of what owners can be instructed to do at home and the rationale for choosing between various therapeutic options and routes of administration including benzodiazpines (midazolam, diazepam) and levetiracetam.
Dr. Hague continues the discussion with the managment of seizures in the veterinary setting. Her focus is on troubleshooting seizures in the ER and the recommended approach to controlling seizures when initial attempts are not succesful.
Session 4: Lynchpins to the Successful Management of Epilepsy and a Achieving a Best Quality of Life for Pets and Their Owners (Running time: 2 hrs)
- Rowena Packer, BSc (Hons), PhD
- Kathleen Cooney, DVM, CHPV, CCFP
- Karen Muñana, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology)
- Julie Nettifee, RVT, MS, VTS (Neurology)
This session delves deeper into the veterinarian-pet owner-dog relationship and the factors that can impact successful management of epileptic dogs. The emphasis of this session is on the impact of epilepsy on caregivers, quality of life considerations, and what the future holds.
Dr. Rowena Packer highlights research findings that reveal what is of importance to pet owners, veterinarians, and veterinary specialists when it comes to managing canine epilepsy. Dr. Kathleen Cooney then discusses quality of life considerations and best practices for veterinary teams for supporting clients with pets living with chronic illness. Ms. Julie Nettifee continues with suggestions for leveraging members of the veterinary team to successfully care for epileptic patients and support clients. Finally, Dr. Muñana wraps up the program by providing a glimpse into the future, discussing active research in the field of canine epilepsy and how one can get involved.
Registration includes:
- Admission (View On Demand)
- Digital packet with helpful information and resources
REGISTRATION FEE*:
VETERINARIAN & VETERINARY TECHNICIANS (4 sessions)
- $79 - Non-CE credit eligible or
- $129 - CE credit option - earn up to 7 hrs of RACE-approved CE credit**
NON-VETERINARIANS (4 sessions - non-CE credit eligible) = $29
*FREE for VetVine Premium Membership subscribers
**This Program is approved for 7 hours of CE credit for veterinarians and veterinary technicians by AAVSB RACE, NY State, and the NJVMA.
