Dogs become guinea pigs (hunh?)

Brentley, a 4-year-old dachshund from Cary, NC gets a check-up from veterinary neurologist Karen Muñana, right, and veterinary technician Julie Nettifee Osborne. Photo credit: TED RICHARDSON - trichard@newsoberver.com

Area dogs with epilepsy help test drug at vet school newsobserver.com

The most popular breeds in Wake County - Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, beagles and German shepherds - are prone to epilepsy, according to veterinarians at N.C. State University. Since June they have been playing a key role in finding a more effective treatment for the condition.

Brentley [pictured above] is one of 16 dogs being observed at N.C. State's College of Veterinary Medicine as part of a nationwide study to help scientists find a better medicine to treat canine epilepsy. It is among the most common neurological disorders, affecting more than 4 million dogs.

Only one anticonvulsant drug, primidone, is approved for treating the disorder in dogs. . The other option, phenobarbitol, works well for humans, but it isn't approved for dogs. Either drug can cause excessive drowsiness, lack of coordination and, in some instances, toxicity to the liver.

A veterinary pharmaceutical company that the study's administrators declined to name is sponsoring the clinical trial on a new, unnamed dog epilepsy drug, hoping for approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

"This drug has been tested before," said Karen Muñana, a veterinary neurologist at N. C. State and investigator in the trial. "But we still don't know how safe it is in dogs with epilepsy, or really how effective it is."

Several hundred dogs have been enrolled in 30 centers nationwide since the trial began two years ago.

Five of the dogs at N.C. State, including Brentley, passed screening and are taking either the experimental drug or an approved control drug.

During his 12-week observation period, Brentley suffered three seizures. He was placed on medication more than a month ago. Since then, Brentley has been seizure-free with no side effects.

So, just like hoomans do, these dogs are bein' guinea pigs in a medical trial to test a new drug. It sounds like a good deal for Brentley, who seems to be getting good results for his seizures. Us Pugs are another seizure-prone breed, and I sure hope I never get 'em, but if I do, I hope this medicine turns out to be a good one. Seizures are just as hard for us dogs as they are for hoomans, and many a fine dog has been put down because uncontrollable seizures were making his or her life unbearable.

You're a brave guinea pig, Brentley. Thanks for your participation in this study! Dogs everywhere will benefit!