Researchers have called for greater awareness among vets and dog owners of a potential “triple whammy” of weight issues linked to the use of anti-seizure drugs (ASDs).
A study by RVC and University of Cambridge academics found “significantly higher” food motivation in dogs receiving medication for idiopathic epilepsy than their healthy counterparts.
Senior author Eleanor Raffan said the drugs can drive both increased appetite and reduced activity, while owners also often provide treats to help encourage their pets to consume them.
‘Triple whammy’
She said: “Put together, this is a ‘triple whammy’ that predisposes to weight gain. It is a lot to think about for owners of dogs with a chronic health problem.
“As vets, we can head off obesity by supporting owners on how to effectively restrict calories, recognising this is harder after we give the medication.”
The analysis compared food motivation in 222 dogs diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy, the most common chronic canine neurological condition, with a control population.
Support owners
The authors said their finding of higher interest in food among dogs receiving ASDs was in line with other research while, among the epileptic dogs alone, the medication had the highest increase in impact at 32%.
The paper added that, while most owners said they did not give extra treats either because their dog had epilepsy or before seizures, over half (53%) confirmed they did use treats to administer ASDs.
Around a third (33.8%) also said they did not reduce their pets’ main food following the treats.
Principal investigator Rowena Packer said the findings were “key” to helping vets support owners in managing their pets’ conditions.
‘Lifelong impact’
She continued: “Excessive drive to eat can lead to undesirable behaviours such as begging and scavenging, which can also have a negative impact on dog-caregiver bonds.
“Supporting owners experiencing these side effects in their dog is essential in reducing caregiver burden, which is already documented to be high in this population of caregivers managing dogs with this highly stressful disease.”
Primary author Anna Morros-Nuevo added: “While ASD are non-negotiable for many of these dogs, their caregivers and veterinarians should be aware of the lifelong impact of their side effects and manage them carefully.
“We hope these findings will help to increase awareness for both veterinary professionals and dog carers of the side effects of ASD and their impact for the patient.”
Credit to: Awareness plea after study reveals obesity risk for epileptic dogs (Vet Times)
Vet Times. (2025). Awareness plea after study reveals obesity risk for epileptic dogs [online]
Available at: https://www.vettimes.co.uk/news/awareness-plea-after-study-reveals-obesity-risk-for-epileptic-dogs/
