Diagnosis of rapid eye movement sleep disorder with electroencephalography and treatment with tricyclic antidepressants in a dog

J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2004 Nov-Dec;40(6):495-500. doi: 10.5326/0400495.

Abstract

A 9-month-old, female Labrador retriever mix was presented for two types of seizure-like episodes, one of which occurred only during sleep. The two types of episodes were morphologically distinct. An electroencephalogram (EEG) demonstrated that the sleep-associated episodes occurred during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, supporting a diagnosis of a REM behavior disorder. Based on their morphology and response to antiseizure medications, the waking episodes were diagnosed as seizures. The animal was also diagnosed with an obsessive-compulsive and generalized anxiety disorder. The REM behavior disorder and anxiety-related behaviors improved with tricyclic antidepressant therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / therapeutic use*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Dog Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Dog Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Dogs
  • Electroencephalography / methods
  • Electroencephalography / veterinary*
  • Female
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / drug therapy
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / diagnosis
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / drug therapy
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / veterinary*
  • Sleep, REM
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic