Seizuring Patient

Question 1

Where do epileptic seizures originate?

Answer 1

Forebrain

Question 2

Are seizures a final diagnosis?

Answer 2

No - seizures are symptoms

Question 3

What % of the dog and cat population are affected by epileptic seizures?

Answer 3

Dogs - 1-5% of dog population (clinic)
Cats - 2% referral hospital cat population

Question 4

What is an epileptic seizure? What is it an imbalance between?

Answer 4

Clinical manifestation of excessive and hyper-synchronous, usually self-limiting epileptic neuronal activity in the brain.
Imbalance between excitation (more) and inhibition (less)

Question 5

Define “epilepsy”?

Answer 5

Disease of the brain characterized by predisposition to generate epileptic seizures.
At least 2 unprovoked epileptic seizures >24 hours apart

Question 6

Is a seizure provoked by chocolate exposure on more than one occasion considered epileptic?

Answer 6

No

Question 7

Is defining the lesion always possible in epilepsy?

Answer 7

No - not always, must work off differentials list (diagnosis by exclusion)

Question 8

What is the 5/6 finger rule?

Answer 8