The efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam in pharmacoresistant epileptic dogs

Twenty-two dogs with idiopathic epilepsy which were pharmacoresistant to phenobarbitone and bromide were treated with levetiracetam as an add-on medication. Records of eight dogs were used retrospectively to determine a safe, efficient levetiracetam dosage. Fourteen dogs were entered into a prospective, open label, non-comparative study. After 2 months of levetiracetam oral treatment (10 mg/kg TID), 8/14 dogs responded significantly to the treatment and seizure frequency was reduced by ⩾50%. In dogs that remained refractory, the dosage was increased to 20 mg/kg TID for 2 months. One further dog responded to levetiracetam treatment.Levetiracetam responders had a significant decrease in seizure frequency of 77% (7.9 ± 5.2 to 1.8 ± 1.7 seizures/month) and a decrease in seizure days per month of 68% (3.8 ± 1.7 to 1.2 ± 1.1 seizure days/month). However, 6/9 responders experienced an increase in seizure frequency and seizure days after 4–8 months continuing with the levetiracetam treatment at the last effective dosage. Levetiracetam was well tolerated by all dogs and sedation was the only side-effect reported in just one of the 14 dogs.