Latest ACVIM Consensus on Seizures in Dogs and Cats

In the first episode of the Beyond the Clinic podcast, host Daniella dos Santos talks with Marios Charalambous, lead author of the latest consensus statement on managing status epilepticus and cluster seizures in dogs and cats. They discuss the creation and importance of ACVIM statements in providing standardised, evidence-based clinical guidelines.

Marios highlights the importance of early intervention with benzodiazepines, the use of intranasal midazolam, and the concurrent use of levetiracetam and phenobarbitone for dogs in status epilepticus. Marios defines cluster seizures and again reiterates the importance of early intervention.

The episode provides practical tips on using intranasal midazolam and recommends use of the algorithms provided alongside the statement, when managing emergency seizures.

Marios Charalambous:

Marios Charalambous is an ABVS, EBVS and RCVS recognized specialist in veterinary neurology. He began his career with a small animal internship at Cambridge University before completing a post-graduate diploma in advanced neuroimaging at the Institute of Neurology, University College London. His career led him to Cornell University and later to Ghent University in Belgium, where he completed an ACVIM and ECVN approved residency in neurology. He went on to earn a Ph.D. at Ghent University, focusing on innovative therapies for epileptic seizure disorders. Marios is a referral neurology consultant at IVC Evidensia Blaise Referral Hospital in Birmingham and a research associate at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover (Germany).

Daniella dos Santos

Daniella graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2012 having previously obtained a degree in Molecular Genetics from Kings College. She has since worked in first opinion, small animal and exotic pet practices across the Southeast. In 2019, she became the youngest-ever President of the British Veterinary Association, leading the profession through the height of the pandemic. During her time as President, she was instrumental in the association’s Diversity and Inclusion work, as well as the development and launch of the Good Workplaces Policy. Daniella was the recipient on the RCVS Inspiration Award 2021 for her leadership and became an RCVS Fellow in 2021 for Meritorious Contributions to the Profession. She is a trustee of the animal welfare charity SPANA and the PetPlan Charitable Trust.

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Links:

Blaise Referrals https://www.blaise-referrals.com/

ACVIM Consensus statement: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jvim.16928

For clinical advice and further information about neurology referral services at Blaise: https://www.blaise-referrals.com/vet-hub/our-services/neurology