Physiological reactivity to spontaneously occurring seizure activity in dogs with epilepsy and their carers

There is a complex bidirectional relationship between stress and epilepsy. Stressful stimuli and subsequent cortisol release act as a trigger for seizure activity in some individuals with epilepsy, and seizure activity itself may act as a stressor to the affected individual. Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological condition in domestic dogs and requires chronic management by their human carers, impacting upon the quality of life of both dog and carer. Seizures occur unpredictably and may be stressful for carers to witness and manage. In the present study we investigated the role of seizure activity as a stressor, measuring the effect of spontaneously occurring seizure activity in dogs with epilepsy upon their own cortisol levels and that of their carers. Furthermore, we tested whether individual differences in HPA reactivity were associated with owner personality characteristics and the quality of the dog carer relationship. Saliva samples were obtained from sixteen dog carer dyads in the home setting 20 and 40 minute post-seizure, and at time-matched points on the following (non-seizure) day. Significant differences in cortisol levels were found in dogs at 40 minute post-seizure (265.1% increase), and at 20 minute post-seizure in their carers (40.5% increase). No associations were found between cortisol reactivity and the strength of the dog-carer bond. Carers with higher neuroticism scores exhibited higher cortisol levels at both post-seizure sampling points. As there was a gender bias in the carer sample (15/16 were female), and there are known sex differences in cortisol reactivity in response to psychological stress, the conclusions of this study may be limited to female carers. These findings are the first to objectively demonstrate the acutely stressful effects of seizures in dogs with epilepsy and their carers

Preliminary assessment of cognitive impairments in canine idiopathic epilepsy

In humans, epilepsy can induce or accelerate cognitive impairment (CI). There is emerging evidence of CI in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy (IE) from recent epidemiological studies. The aim of our study was to assess CI in dogs with IE using two tests of cognitive dysfunction designed for use in a clinical setting. Dogs with IE (n=17) were compared against controls (n=18) in their performance in two tasks; a spatial working memory task and a problem-solving task. In addition, owners completed the Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Rating (CCDR) scale for their dog. The groups did not differ statistically with respect to age and breed. Dogs with IE performed significantly worse than controls on the spatial working memory task (P=0.016), but not on the problem solving task (P=0.683). CCDR scores were significantly higher in the IE group (P=0.016); however, no dogs reach the recommended threshold score for CCD diagnosis. Our preliminary data suggest that dogs with IE exhibit impairments in a spatial working memory task. Further research is required to explore the effect of IE on other cognitive abilities in dogs with a larger sample, characterising the age of onset, nature and progression of any impairments and the impact of anti-epileptic drugs

Epilepsy beyond seizures: a review of the impact of epilepsy and its comorbidities on health-related quality of life in dogs

Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological conditions in the dog, estimated to affect 0.6 to 0.75 per cent of dogs. Owners of dogs with epilepsy have previously indicated that their dog's quality of life (QoL) is of greatest importance to them above seizure frequency; however, much of the research into canine epilepsy to date has focussed on seizure frequency, and how to reduce it via antiepileptic drug treatment. In people, the impact of epilepsy upon QoL has been widely studied, exploring not only its impact on physical health, but also the psychological health and cognitive capabilities of affected individuals. This paper reviews the existing literature on canine epilepsy, identifies potential threats to QoL, and draws parallels from human epilepsy research. We suggest that canine epilepsy poses threats to both quality and quantity of life, with treatment interventions posing a fine balance of potential benefits and harms to the patient. At present, little is known about the neurobehavioural, emotional and cognitive effects of epilepsy upon affected dogs. Further studies are needed to establish the extent to which unknown QoL-inhibiting comorbidities exist in the dog, in order to avoid their undertreatment, and to objectively quantify the effects of epilepsy on canine QoL

Long Live Anthrax

A brief report on the testing of Bacillus anthracis cultures which had been sealed in 1928

Going to Veterinary School at I.S.U. 50 years ago: Some recollections of 1938

The recent Golden Anniversary publication of The Veterinary Student prompts a recall on the part of those of us who were in school in 1938. As a second year student in that year one now asks what has changed and what has remained the same? I will try to describe the college of that day and time leaving comparisons to each reader based on his/her knowledge of the present

Bovine Mastitis

Mastitis in dairy cattle is responsible for greater economic loss to the dairyman than any other disease. These losses are represented by loss in quantity of milk produced, lower quality of product and loss through sacrifice of animals sold to market because of severe mastitis. Until the last few years too little attention had been given to this important disease. The fact that there was no effective treatment for the condition was no doubt chiefly responsible. The discovery and development of new drugs during the last few years has found some of these agents to be effective against certain agents causing bovine mastitis. As a result considerable study and research is being conducted on this important problem

Bovine Mastitis

Mastitis in dairy cattle is responsible for greater economic loss to the dairyman than any other disease. These losses are represented by loss in quantity of milk produced, lower quality of product and loss through sacrifice of animals sold to market because of severe mastitis. Until the last few years too little attention had been given to this important disease. The fact that there was no effective treatment for the condition was no doubt chiefly responsible. The discovery and development of new drugs during the last few years has found some of these agents to be effective against certain agents causing bovine mastitis. As a result considerable study and research is being conducted on this important problem

Occurence of Bacteria In Bovine Mastitis

The following is a summary of the results obtained from the examination of milk samples submitted by practicing veterinarians for mastitis diagnosis during the period Nov. 1, 1946 to Nov. 1, 1947. The diagnoses were made largely on the basis of a cultural examination. In a few cases the history and the appearance of the secretion aided in the diagnosis where either E. coli or Aero. aerogenes was reported. The cultural methods consisted of plating the samples on ox blood agar, or in cases of contaminated samples, they were plated on both sodium azide-crystal violet blood agar and blood agar containing 7.5 percent sodium chloride

New Book

Veterinary Bacteriology, I. A. Merchant, D.V.M., Ph.D., C.P.H., Associate Professor of Veterinary Bacteriology and Hygiene, Iowa State College. 1st edition. Cloth bound, 636 pages, 135 illustrations. Collegiate Press, Inc., Ames, Iowa. 1940. Price $7.00