Neurobehavioral Comorbidities in Canine Idiopathic Epilepsy: New Insights into Cognitive and Emotional Domains

TL;DR

This study explores how dogs with epilepsy show different behavioral changes, finding two distinct patterns that affect treatment response and quality of life.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel behavioral stratification framework for canine idiopathic epilepsy using cluster analysis.

Findings

Two distinct neurobehavioral profiles (Cognitive and Emotional) were identified in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy.

The Cognitive profile was linked to poorer seizure control and lower quality of life, while the Emotional profile was associated with better outcomes.

Behavioral changes like attachment-seeking and cognitive decline were common post-seizure onset.

Abstract

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions in dogs. In addition to seizures, many affected dogs show changes in their behavior during the periods between seizures, such as decreased trainability, increased anxiety/fear, or being unusually clingy with their owners. In this study, we examined the behavior of 70 dogs with idiopathic epilepsy, based on information provided by their owners before and after the onset of seizures. We found that some behaviors—such as difficulties in learning new tricks, separation-related problems and increased contact-seeking, changes in eating habits, and demented behaviors—became more frequent after seizures started. We then grouped the dogs based on their behavior patterns and identified two distinct profiles: one characterized by signs related to cognitive decline and another with more emotional behaviors like anxiety/fear, aggression, or attachment. These profiles were linked to how well the dogs responded to treatment and to the quality of life reported by their owners. This research shows that not all dogs with epilepsy behave the same way, and recognizing these differences can help veterinarians offer more individualized care, ultimately improving quality of life for both dogs and their families.

Neurobehavioral comorbidities in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy (IE) are increasingly recognized, yet their phenotypic variability and clinical implications remain poorly understood. This study aimed to identify behavioral changes following seizure onset and to explore the feasibility of stratifying patients based on neurobehavioral profiles. Seventy client-owned dogs with IE were enrolled and grouped according to treatment: 29 had drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), 29 were drug-sensitive (DSE), and 12 remained untreated. Owners completed a modified version of the C-BARQ questionnaire, assessing behaviors before and after seizure onset. Nearly one-third of behavioral items showed significant changes, particularly in attachment and attention-seeking behaviors, separation-related behaviors, eating behavior, and signs of cognitive decline such as reduced trainability and dementia-like signs. Principal component analysis followed by cluster analysis revealed two distinct neurobehavioral profiles: Cognitive and Emotional. The Cognitive cluster was associated with a higher total questionnaire score, poorer seizure control (predominantly DRE), and lower owner-perceived quality of life. In contrast, the Emotional cluster was more frequently observed in dogs with DSE or no treatment and was associated with higher quality of life scores. These findings support the clinical relevance of behavioral stratification in canine epilepsy and underscore the need for individualized, multimodal approaches to improve patient care.

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