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Seizure-alerting and -response behaviors in dogs living with epileptic children

From the Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. A. Kirton, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Alberta Children’s Hospital, 1820 Richard Rd. SW, Calgary, AB, Canada T2T 5C7; e-mail: adam.kirton{at}calgaryhealthregion.ca

There is little evidence for the ability of dogs to anticipate human seizures. Families of epileptic children were surveyed to investigate seizure-related behaviors in dogs. Approximately 40% of families owned a dog, about 40% of these had seizure-specific behavior, and about 40% of these (approximately 15% overall) showed anticipatory ability. Anticipation occurred early and was both sensitive and specific. Quality of life was higher in families with a dog that responded to seizures.

Received November 10, 2003. Accepted in final form February 23, 2004.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Kirton, G. L. Krauss, and R. P. Lesser PSEUDOSEIZURE DOGS Neurology, June 5, 2007; 68(23): 2045 - 2046. [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. L. Krauss, J. S. Choi, and R. P. Lesser Pseudoseizure dogs Neurology, January 23, 2007; 68(4): 308 - 309. [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. J. Doherty and A. M. Haltiner Wag the dog: Skepticism on seizure alert canines Neurology, January 23, 2007; 68(4): 309 - 309. [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. J. Flegg and A. Kirton Seizure-alerting and -response behaviors in dogs living with epileptic children Neurology, February 8, 2005; 64(3): 581 - 581. [Full Text] [PDF]

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