RESUMO
A Bernese mountain dog was diagnosed with complex partial seizures that were supported by electroencephalographic findings. Clinical signs of the problem included "star gazing," fly snapping, licking, vacuous chewing, and ongoing anxiety. Treatment with Huperzine A, a compound isolated from Chinese club moss with NMDA receptor blocking activity, anticholinesterase activity, and anticonvulsant properties, produced useful suppression of the abnormal behavior for more than months. A relapse occurred when the dog was treated with tramadol for joint pain and the improvement that had been made was not recaptured with Huperzine A. At this stage, phenobarbital therapy was instituted and the dog improved greatly. The role of Huperzine A in controlling seizures is discussed.
Assuntos
Doenças do Cão/tratamento farmacológico , Epilepsia Parcial Complexa/tratamento farmacológico , Epilepsia Parcial Complexa/veterinária , Fármacos Neuroprotetores/uso terapêutico , Sesquiterpenos/uso terapêutico , Alcaloides , Animais , Comportamento Animal/efeitos dos fármacos , Comportamento Animal/fisiologia , Contagem de Células Sanguíneas , Análise Química do Sangue , Dípteros , Doenças do Cão/psicologia , Cães , Eletrodiagnóstico , Eletroencefalografia , Epilepsia Parcial Complexa/psicologia , MasculinoRESUMO
One of the most frustrating problems for veterinarians is the animal with a recurring behavioral disorder that is apparently a seizure disorder. Similar human disorders have been shown to be caused, in most cases, by organic disease in the cerebrum. There are reports in the veterinary literature that appear to support the same theory; however, there is no well-designed study with adequate animal numbers that proves the syndromes to be the same as in human medicine. It is clear that much research needs to be done. Diagnostic work up should be done meticulously, with emphasis on looking for intracranial disease. Treatment with phenobarbital is recommended to control the seizures, although the results will be variable.
