Local veterinarians take part in program to help dogs with seizures

‘The medication is a miracle, so I am very thankful’

Koda, a husky and corgi mix, rests on the couch with her owners, Sam Rice and Jackie Young-Rice, recently as the couple watched a Kansas City Royals game. About a year ago, Koda began a clinical trial at Wakarusa Veterinary Clinic for treatment of seizures.

About the national clinical trial

Wakarusa Veterinary Hospital, 1825 Wakarusa Drive, is participating in a national clinical trial that tests a new medication for dogs that have seizures with no known cause.

To qualify, dogs must:

• Be at least 4 months old.

• Have not been treated previously with anti-seizure medication.

• Weigh at least 11 pounds.

• Have no previous history of seizure clusters, which means having at least three in a 24-hour period.

• Have no previous history of status epilepticus, a dangerous condition in which seizures follow one another without recovery of consciousness between them.

• Not be pregnant.

Some breeds of dogs are known to be more susceptible to the disease, including beagles, Belgian Tervurens, British Alsatians, collies, dachshunds, golden retrievers, keeshonden, Labrador retrievers, vizslas, German shepherds and Bernese mountain dogs.

For more information, call Wakarusa Veterinary Hospital at 843-5577 or visit the Web site www.HelpForDogsWithSeizures.com.

There is a monetary incentive for veterinarians who refer clients to the office for the clinical trial.

Koda, a blue-eyed husky, loves attention and lounging in the backyard kiddie pool. She even shakes hands and lies down for a treat.

The 6-year-old dog is quiet and calm, even though she shares the house with two other dogs — a golden retriever and a collie — and two cats.

Owner Jackie Young-Rice, Lawrence, said witnessing Koda suffer her first seizure at age 2 was frightening, and something she won’t soon forget. Young-Rice said the dog vomited, fell over and started having convulsions.

“I was screaming,” she said.

Young-Rice and her husband, Sam Rice, wrapped Koda in a blanket and headed to their veterinarian’s office.

“We were kind of freaking out. But by the time we got there, she was fine — like nothing ever happened,” she said.

The vet’s office was closed, but they made an appointment with Dr. Kristi Rowland, of Wakarusa Veterinary Hospital.

She sent them home with a journal, so they could document any future attacks. Otherwise, there wasn’t much to do for Koda.

When she had subsequent seizures, they would pet her head and talk to her. Rowland’s advice was to remain as calm as possible.

As Koda grew older, the seizures became more frequent. She was having about two seizures every three weeks compared with once every two months previously. Her owners were becoming concerned.

So, when Rowland asked whether they would be interested in a clinical trial, they jumped at the chance.

Drug testing

The purpose of the clinical trial is to evaluate a new medication for dogs that suffer recurring seizures with no known case.

The study is sponsored by a major animal health pharmaceutical company and regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Rowland and her colleague, Dr. Mark Marks, are trained clinical investigators for the trial.

Marks said he has participated in clinical trials for 10 years because it helps advance science.

“We get to be on the leading edge of the science of our profession,” he said.

The diagnostic tests, evaluations and treatment are provided for free. For the dogs that qualify for the active phase of the trial, the owners are responsible for giving them the drugs and documenting the dog’s behavior. Rowland said a dog either receives an FDA-approved drug or the test medication. They also need to visit the clinic about once a month.

Depending on the dog and how the treatment goes, the study lasts between three and nine months.

Koda participated in the clinical trial for three months and took two pills a day. Her owners have no regrets about participating.

“It was great because they did everything for free,” Young-Rice said.

More importantly, Koda’s seizures became less frequent and severe.

“Immediately, there was a drop-off in seizures,” Young-Rice said, and then gave the trial two thumbs up.

Maintenance regime

When Koda’s participation was finished, Rowland prescribed a medication. Now Koda takes one pill a day, and it seems to be working as well.

“The medication is a miracle, so I am very thankful,” Young-Rice said.

The clinical trial is still under way and welcomes new potential candidates. Rowland said it’s estimated that the type of epilepsy Koda has affects up to 4 million dogs — or 5 percent of the U.S. canine population.

Rowland said sometimes it is hard to tell when an animal is having a seizure.

“Sometimes it will just be in the face or they will kind of be acting like they are catching flies and they will be kind of twitchy,” she said. “Others will actually fall on their sides and do the paddle, and kind of salivation and paddling and whining.”

She said if owners have any doubt, they can visit the office at 1825 Wakarusa Drive. The staff there has a DVD about seizures and can review it with the owner.

So far, three dogs, including Koda, have participated in the trial, and about 15 have gone through the screening process.