Use of sedation-awakening electroencephalography in dogs with epilepsy

J Vet Intern Med. 2024 Sep-Oct;38(5):2578-2589. doi: 10.1111/jvim.17153. Epub 2024 Aug 12.

Abstract

Background: Electroencephalography (EEG) recording protocols have been standardized for humans. Although the utilization of techniques in veterinary medicine is increasing, a standard protocol has not yet been established.

Hypothesis: Assessment of a sedation-awakening EEG protocol in dogs.

Animals: Electroencephalography examination was performed in a research colony of 6 nonepileptic dogs (control [C]) and 12 dogs with epilepsy admitted to the clinic because of the epileptic seizures.

Methods: It was a prospective study with retrospective control. Dogs with epilepsy were divided into 2 equal groups, wherein EEG acquisition was performed using a "sedation" protocol (IE-S, n = 6) and a "sedation-awakening" protocol (IE-SA, n = 6). All animals were sedated using medetomidine. In IE-SA group, sedation was reversed 5 minutes after commencing the EEG recording by injecting atipamezole IM. Type of background activity (BGA) and presence of EEG-defined epileptiform discharges (EDs) were evaluated blindly. Statistical significance was set at P > 0.05.

Results: Epileptiform discharges were found in 1 of 6 of the dogs in group C, 4 of 6 of the dogs in IE-S group, and 5 of 6 of the dogs in IE-SA group. A significantly greater number of EDs (spikes, P = .0109; polyspikes, P = .0109; sharp waves, P = .01) were detected in Phase 2 in animals subjected to the "sedation-awakening" protocol, whereas there was no statistically significant greater number of discharges in sedated animals.

Conclusions and clinical importance: A "sedation-awakening" EEG protocol could be of value for ambulatory use if repeated EEG recordings and monitoring of epilepsy in dogs is needed.

Keywords: ambulatory EEG; canine electroencephalography; canine epilepsy diagnosis; epilepsy; paroxysmal; sedation; seizure.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Conscious Sedation / veterinary
  • Dog Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Dog Diseases* / physiopathology
  • Dogs
  • Electroencephalography* / veterinary
  • Epilepsy* / diagnosis
  • Epilepsy* / physiopathology
  • Epilepsy* / veterinary
  • Female
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives* / pharmacology
  • Imidazoles / administration & dosage
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Medetomidine* / pharmacology
  • Prospective Studies
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Hypnotics and Sedatives
  • Medetomidine
  • Imidazoles
  • atipamezole