Refractory Epilepsy and/or Seizures in Dogs and Cats
Refractory seizures are seizures that continue to occur even when your pet is receiving medication to control the seizures. Refractory epilepsy is another term that is sometimes used to describe this situation. There are many different reasons your dog or cat may continue to have seizures even when receiving anticonvulsant or antiepileptic medications. It is assumed that your pet is truly having seizures and is not experiencing another type of episode that appears similar.
Unrealistic Expectations of Seizure Control for Your Dog or Cat
In many cases of epilepsy, a dog or cat may still have break-through seizures even while receiving appropriate medication. This is not unexpected and it may not be realistic to believe that your dog or cat will never have another seizure. Whether the break-through seizures are problematic depends on how often they occur, how severe they are, how long they last and the overall health of your pet.
Seizures May Continue if the Dose of Medication is Incorrect for Your Dog or Cat
If your pet is not receiving the proper dosage of medication or the interval between doses is too long, your pet could experience refractory seizures. This may be a result of your dog or cat not receiving the medication or it may be a result of the recommended dosage being too low or the recommended dosing interval being too long. If you are certain that your pet is receiving his medication as recommended, you should contact your veterinarian to discuss whether your pet's medication dosage needs to be changed.
Your Pet May Be Having Seizures Because the Underlying Disease is Getting Worse
Even though we may not always be able to pinpoint the cause of your dog or cat's seizures (as in idiopathic epilepsy), there generally is an underlying disease present somewhere. If that disease is progressing or getting worse, your pet may continue to have seizures despite medication.
Other Drugs May Be Interacting with Your Pet's Seizure Medication
Many of the medications used to treat epilepsy and seizures in dogs and cats can have reactions with other drugs your pet is taking. These interactions may change the efficacy of your pet's seizure medication. In some cases, a change is dosage may be indicated. In others, you may need to change your dog or cat to a different seizure medication or discontinue the medication with which it is reacting.
Changes in Diet Can Affect Your Dog or Cat's Seizure Medication
Especially with potassium bromide, changes in the diet can affect the bioavailability of the medication. Bioavailability refers to how much of the medication is available in your pet's blood stream to help control the seizures. Try feeding a constant diet daily.
Other Disease Can Alter How Much of Your Pet's Medication Is Needed
Gastrointestinal (GI) disease can alter how much of your dog or cat's seizure medication is absorbed through the intestinal tract. This may result in your pet requiring a higher dose of the medication while the GI disease is present.
Your Dog or Cat's Seizures May Have Become Resistant to the Medication
In some cases, an animal's seizures can become resistant to a particular medication. It is also possible that your pet has developed a tolerance for that particular medication. Either way, it may be necessary to change your pet's seizure medication if this is the case.
Unrealistic Expectations of Seizure Control for Your Dog or Cat
In many cases of epilepsy, a dog or cat may still have break-through seizures even while receiving appropriate medication. This is not unexpected and it may not be realistic to believe that your dog or cat will never have another seizure. Whether the break-through seizures are problematic depends on how often they occur, how severe they are, how long they last and the overall health of your pet.
Seizures May Continue if the Dose of Medication is Incorrect for Your Dog or Cat
If your pet is not receiving the proper dosage of medication or the interval between doses is too long, your pet could experience refractory seizures. This may be a result of your dog or cat not receiving the medication or it may be a result of the recommended dosage being too low or the recommended dosing interval being too long. If you are certain that your pet is receiving his medication as recommended, you should contact your veterinarian to discuss whether your pet's medication dosage needs to be changed.
Your Pet May Be Having Seizures Because the Underlying Disease is Getting Worse
Even though we may not always be able to pinpoint the cause of your dog or cat's seizures (as in idiopathic epilepsy), there generally is an underlying disease present somewhere. If that disease is progressing or getting worse, your pet may continue to have seizures despite medication.
Other Drugs May Be Interacting with Your Pet's Seizure Medication
Many of the medications used to treat epilepsy and seizures in dogs and cats can have reactions with other drugs your pet is taking. These interactions may change the efficacy of your pet's seizure medication. In some cases, a change is dosage may be indicated. In others, you may need to change your dog or cat to a different seizure medication or discontinue the medication with which it is reacting.
Changes in Diet Can Affect Your Dog or Cat's Seizure Medication
Especially with potassium bromide, changes in the diet can affect the bioavailability of the medication. Bioavailability refers to how much of the medication is available in your pet's blood stream to help control the seizures. Try feeding a constant diet daily.
Other Disease Can Alter How Much of Your Pet's Medication Is Needed
Gastrointestinal (GI) disease can alter how much of your dog or cat's seizure medication is absorbed through the intestinal tract. This may result in your pet requiring a higher dose of the medication while the GI disease is present.
Your Dog or Cat's Seizures May Have Become Resistant to the Medication
In some cases, an animal's seizures can become resistant to a particular medication. It is also possible that your pet has developed a tolerance for that particular medication. Either way, it may be necessary to change your pet's seizure medication if this is the case.
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