Approximately 30% of epileptic dogs fail to achieve adequate seizure control with standard medications, creating significant welfare challenges for affected animals.
Drug-resistant epilepsy severely impacts quality of life for affected dogs. Frequent seizures cause physical injury, post-ictal confusion, and apparent fear. Dogs with poorly controlled epilepsy often live with behavioral changes between seizures as well. Caregivers face the constant anxiety of potential status epilepticus. Decisions about euthanasia when quality of life deteriorates sufficiently are among the most difficult facing companion animal owners.