Use of sedation‐awakening electroencephalography in dogs with epilepsy

Abstract Background Electroencephalography (EEG) recording protocols have been standardized for humans. Although the utilization of techniques in veterinary medicine is increasing, a standard protocol has not yet been established. Hypothesis Assessment of a sedation‐awakening EEG protocol in dogs. Animals Electroencephalography examination was performed in a research colony of 6 nonepileptic dogs (control [C]) and 12 dogs with epilepsy admitted to the clinic because of the epileptic seizures. Methods It was a prospective study with retrospective control. Dogs with epilepsy were divided into 2 equal groups, wherein EEG acquisition was performed using a “sedation” protocol (IE‐S, n = 6) and a “sedation‐awakening” protocol (IE‐SA, n = 6). All animals were sedated using medetomidine. In IE‐SA group, sedation was reversed 5 minutes after commencing the EEG recording by injecting atipamezole IM. Type of background activity (BGA) and presence of EEG‐defined epileptiform discharges (EDs) were evaluated blindly. Statistical significance was set at P > 0.05. Results Epileptiform discharges were found in 1 of 6 of the dogs in group C, 4 of 6 of the dogs in IE‐S group, and 5 of 6 of the dogs in IE‐SA group. A significantly greater number of EDs (spikes, P = .0109; polyspikes, P = .0109; sharp waves, P = .01) were detected in Phase 2 in animals subjected to the “sedation‐awakening” protocol, whereas there was no statistically significant greater number of discharges in sedated animals. Conclusions and Clinical Importance A “sedation‐awakening” EEG protocol could be of value for ambulatory use if repeated EEG recordings and monitoring of epilepsy in dogs is needed.