Epilepsy in the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen: Prevalence, Semiology, and Clinical Phenotype

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy with a genetic background is increasingly being identified. In certain dog breeds, epilepsy occurs with a higher prevalence than the estimate of 1-2% reported in the general dog population.Hypothesis: The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen (PBGV) experiences an increased occurrence of epilepsy compared to the general dog population.Animals: The target population consisted of all 876 PBGV dogs registered in the Danish Kennel Club from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2008. The study population included 820 dogs that met the inclusion criteria.Methods: A population study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of epilepsy in the Danish PBGV population. A mailed questionnaire was used to detect possible signs of epilepsy. The information was subsequently validated by telephone interviews of positive and possible positive responders and a negative responder control group, using an extensive questionnaire developed to detect epilepsy. Dogs evaluated as epilepsy positive after the telephone interview were offered a clinical investigation.Results: The prevalence of epilepsy was estimated to be 8.9% (42/471) in the PBGV population. Average age of onset was 26.3 months. Sex and mode of response did not affect the prevalence, but a strong litter effect was seen. Among euthanized dogs, epilepsy was the predominant cause (6/45 = 13.3%).Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs experience an increased risk of epilepsy characterized by a relatively early onset and dominated by focal seizures with and without secondary generalization. With an estimated prevalence of 8.9% and substantial clustering within litters, a genetic factor associated with epilepsy is suspected.

Canine epilepsy as a translational model?

“…The prevalence of epileptic seizures in dogs is commonly cited to range between 0.5% and 5.7% (Chandler, 2006). It is well recognized that many dog breeds carry an increased risk for epilepsy with high breed-specific prevalence rates, for example, reaching rates of 9% or higher, sometimes even 18% in certain breeds (Casal et al, 2006;Berendt et al, 2009;Gullov et al, 2011). Therefore, the prevalence of epilepsy in purebred dogs appears even higher than the prevalence of epilepsy in people in Europe, commonly cited as four to eight cases per 1,000 (Pugliatti et al, 2007).…”

Clinical Risk Factors for Early Seizure Recurrence in Dogs Hospitalized for Seizure Evaluation

“…[10][11][12]15,29 In 1 report, 61.8% of dogs suffering from intracranial neoplasia developed seizures. 8 In another report, 51% of dogs with intracranial neoplasia developed seizures, 9 whereas other studies reported a seizure rate of 45% in dogs with intracranial neoplasia. 29,35 All of the above-mentioned studies found higher seizure activity rates than that observed in our study, but our study focused on short-term seizure recurrence in dogs that already had experienced a seizure before consultation.…”

“…The reasons behind the abnormal neurologic examination and the mechanisms that promote tumor‐related seizure activity most likely are multifactorial . Neoplastic tissue can be an initiation site of seizure activity, particularly with gliomas . Additionally extra‐ and intra‐axial masses may alter surrounding brain tissue by the effect of peritumoral edema, leading to increased intracranial pressure, chaotic, and unbalanced vascular organization leading to vascular insufficiency or hemorrhage, hypoxia, peritumoral inflammation, and the release of metabolically active molecules .…”

“…29,35,36 Neoplastic tissue can be an initiation site of seizure activity, particularly with gliomas. [8][9][10] Additionally extra-and intra-axial masses may alter surrounding brain tissue by the effect of peritumoral edema, leading to increased intracranial pressure, chaotic, and unbalanced vascular organization leading to vascular insufficiency or hemorrhage, hypoxia, peritumoral inflammation, and the release of metabolically active molecules. [8][9][10]36 Interestingly, the risk factor selected was an abnormal neurological examination with a predominance of prosencephalon signs rather than an abnormal neurological examination with asymmetric deficits or with deficits associated with a multifocal lesion.…”

“…T he prevalence of idiopathic epilepsy (IE) has been estimated to be approximately 1-2% in a hospital-based population of dogs and cats in Germany, 1 1.9% in a hospital-based population of dogs in Japan, 2 and in up to 5% of the overall canine population. [3][4][5] The prevalence is reported to be even higher for breeds exhibiting breedspecific genetic epilepsy, [6][7][8][9] making epilepsy 1 of the most common causes for referrals to veterinary neurologists.…”