Owners of epileptic dogs are being sought for a clinical trial of a new epilepsy treatment. The study is being undertaken by researchers at the University of Glasgow in collaboration with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and funded by American-based charity, Cure Epilepsy.
The researchers hope to acquire new knowledge to help many dogs, and maybe even humans with epilepsy in the future.
The epilepsy medication being evaluated for the study has never been used in dogs or humans before. Researchers will test how safe and effective it is for dogs with canine idiopathic epilepsy who have not responded to conventional anti-seizure medications.
Canine epilepsy affects over 50,000 dogs in the UK, and approximately one third of those do not respond to conventional anti-seizure medications.
To be eligible for the study a dog needs to fit the following criteria:
- Aged 2 years or over
- Weighs more than 5 kilograms
- Has had a diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy with a normal MRI scan and CSF
- Has more than four seizures per month despite having tried at least two anti-seizure medications
- Is deemed otherwise healthy
Owners will be required to attend a number of appointments with their dog at the study site based at the University of Glasgow, and will also be asked to keep a record of their dog’s seizures.
Dogs will be randomly put into one of two study groups; one group will receive the study medication, the other will receive a placebo. Neither the dog owner or study veterinarian will know which group is receiving the study medication or the placebo.
Rodrigo Gutierrez Quintana, senior clinician in veterinary neurology at the University of Glasgow said: “In this clinical trial we will be evaluating the safety and efficacy of a completely new treatment option for epilepsy in dogs. We are very excited to use an RNA-based therapy that targets microRNA-134. Currently, one third of epileptic dogs do not respond to anti-seizure medications, and this new therapy could represent an option for these cases.”
If there is evidence that the study medication is safe and effective, it will be offered to the dogs that received the placebo.
More information about the study can be found on the University of Glasgow’s website.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
