Extended Analysis of Status Epilepticus and Cluster Seizures in Dogs in the Context of Overall Epilepsy Incidence: 254 Cases

Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological disorders in dogs, characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. Epileptic seizures are typically classified as single generalized (SG), cluster seizures (CS), or status epilepticus (SE), with CS and SE representing neurological emergencies linked to high morbidity and mortality. This retrospective study analyzed 254 canine epilepsy cases from two veterinary clinics in Finland and Lithuania, aiming to evaluate the frequency and clinical associations of CS and SE. Patient data included age of seizure onset, sex, weight, neuter status, blood test results, clinical and neurological examinations, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, etiology classification and clinical outcome. Seizure type distribution was as follows: CS in 47.2%, SG in 26.8%, and SE in 26.0% of cases. SG seizures were significantly more common than CS in dogs aged 6-72 months (54.4% vs. 38.3%, <i>p</i> = 0.005), and more frequent in first-time cases compared to previously treated ones (<i>p</i> = 0.005). SE was significantly associated with inflammatory brain disease, abnormal clinical and neurological findings, and a higher rate of euthanasia (29.2%, <i>p</i> < 0.05). Dogs with structural epilepsy were older (median 108 months) and more likely to develop SE (35.5%). Most cases initially presented as SG (58.1%), but 44.5% progressed to CS and 24.6% to SE. MRI revealed lesions in 46.5% of cases, with SE more frequent in dogs with inflammatory changes and SG predominating in neoplastic cases. No significant associations were found between seizure type and sex, reproductive status, or body weight. These findings provide new insights into seizure presentation, progression, and underlying pathology, supporting the importance of early diagnosis and individualized clinical management in canine epilepsy.