Epilepsy affects an estimated 1-5% of dogs and requires careful management to balance seizure control against medication side effects that themselves impact quality of life.
Canine epilepsy management requires balancing competing welfare considerations: seizure frequency causes acute distress and risk of status epilepticus, while anti-epileptic medication side effects can substantially compromise inter-ictal quality of life. A dog that experiences fewer seizures but spends 20 hours a day sedated, ravenously hungry, and cognitively blunted may have lower overall welfare than one with slightly more frequent but well-controlled seizures on lower medication doses. Individual assessment of seizure impact and medication tolerance guides the welfare-optimal treatment intensity. The post-ictal period - the hours of confusion and fear following a seizure - is underrecognized as a welfare concern that is as significant as the seizure itself for many dogs.