In recent years the attention to companion animal neurology in Ukraine has perceptibly increased. Such importance is considered on the complexity of the central nervous system itself and the mechanism of pathogenesis of brain diseases. Additional complexity is provided by a great variety of ethiological factors of paroxysmal disorder of cerebral function. In contemporary circumstances of companion veterinary medicine development even a general practitioner veterinarian must perfectly know general principles of management of neurological disorder cases in animals and be able to provide them the first aid. In addition a doctor of veterinary medicine has to consider the antiepileptic drug interactions.

Successful treatment of seizure disorders in small animals requires proper patient assessment, understanding the principles of antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy, designing a strategy for pharmacotherapy, and plans for emergency treatment.

In this article main principles of seizure management (paroxysmal disorder of cerebral function management) in dogs and cats are considered. Particular attention is dedicated to canine and feline epilepsy treatment.

The anticonvulsants (also commonly known as antiepileptic drugs) are a diverse group of pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of epileptic seizures. Drugs that are used for seizure management is given. Drugs of first choice in cases of seizures and epistatus are mentioned. The list of medications include such drugs as Phenobarbital (Luminal), Primidone, Potassium bromide, Diazepam (Valium), Clonazepam, Dipotassium clorazepate, Valproic acid, Felbamate, Gabapentin, Topiramate, Zonisamide, Levetiracetam (Keppra), Mephobarbital, Paramethadione, Phenytoin, Vigabatrin, Carbamazepin, Lamotrigine. Also there are given peculiarities of their administrating in dogs and cats, their advantages and disadvantages, recommended dosages and ways of administration. Protocol for treatment of status epilepticus in dogs and cats is given.

Also in this article some caveats of antiepileptic drug therapy are mentioned, as well as general principles of drug choice and dosage adjustment. Such vital questions as recommendations for drug withdrawal, changing medications and choice of alternative drugs are considered.

Antiepileptic drugs can be classified into three broad mechanistic categories: enhancement of inhibitory processes via facilitated action of gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA); reduction of excitatory transmission; modulation of membrane cation conductance.

Factors to consider when choosing an add-on medication include the mechanism of action, with preference given to drugs with a differing mechanism, side effects, the potential for drug interactions among antiepileptic drugs and the required frequency of administration, which in turn may influence compliance. Antiepileptic drugs should be used carefully, with consideration of medication interactions and possibility of undesirable complications. Regardless of which drug is used, optimal treatment results are best achieved by adopting a systematic approach to seizure management. 

A clinical case study of epilepsy in male dog is held on (3-year-old Cane Corso, body weight was 47 kilograms, not castrated).

With the help of the case analysis the authors would like to accentuate importance and expediency of following the protocol of neurologically sick animal checkup and to make an appeal to practitioners not to ignore the detailed animal’s history taking and to conduct all routine (which sometimes seem to have little importance) examinations and analysis without fail.

Treating each animal as an individual, applying the philosophy that seizure prevention is better than intervention, and encouraging veterinarians to revise treatment plans will lead to improved success in treating seizure disorders in the dog and cat.

Key words: seizure, epilepsy, treatment, dogs, cats