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BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS: Adam Kirton, Elaine Wirrell, James Zhang, and Lorie Hamiwka Seizure-alerting and -response behaviors in dogs living with epileptic children Neurology 2004; 62: 2303-2305 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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

Peter J. Flegg   (26 July 2004)

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Adam Kirton   (26 July 2004)

Seizure-alerting and -response behaviors in dogs living with epileptic children 26 July 2004
Peter J. Flegg, Department of Medicine Victoria Hospital, Blackpool, UK Send Correspondence to journal: Re: Seizure-alerting and -response behaviors in dogs living with epileptic children pjf{at}volcanomail.com Peter J. Flegg	There may be considerable reporting bias in the study on possible seizure-alerting behavior of dogs. [1] This is vindicated by the statment that there were "no false positive behaviors reported", which statistically would be highly unusual. It is possible that some dogs may have directly induced the seizures. There is a long list of physiological stimuli which can induce fits and some of the behaviors described in the dogs could be responsible. Certainly a toddler being "forcibly" sat on by a dog might be subject to a variety of somatosensory and proprioceptive stimuli, including developing hyperventilation or becoming anoxic. Reference 1) Seizure-alerting and-response behaviors in dogs living with epileptic children Adam Kirton, MD, Elaine Wirrell, MD FRCPC, James Zhang, MSc and Lorie Hamiwka, MD FRCPC NEUROLOGY 2004;62:2303-2305
Reply to Flegg 26 July 2004
Adam Kirton, University of Calgary Alberta Children's Hospital, Dept. Pediatrics, 1820 Richmond Road SW, Calgary, AB, Canada T2T 5C7 Send Correspondence to journal: Re: Reply to Flegg adam.kirton{at}calgaryhealthregion.ca Adam Kirton	The reporting bias is unavoidable in this type of pilot project which is acknowledged in the discussion. Our family's estimates of "sensitivity" are also clearly placed in their appropriate context, and do not represent a true lack of false positives. It seems highly unlikely and physically implausible to us that dogs would perform specific behaviors to produce seizures in their family members.