• Hero Banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Digital Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Pharmacy
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Buying or Selling a Practice
Hospital Design
Leadership & Personal Growth
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Technology
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Live Conferences
Conference News
Conference Proceedings
Resources
CBD in Pets
Contests
Veterinary Heroes
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Medium-chain triglycerides and seizure control in dogs

July 10, 2020
Michael Nappier, DVM, DABVP
Vetted, Vetted July 2020, Volume 115, Issue 7

A new study shows that dogs fed a diet high in medium-chain triglycerides had a significant reduction in seizure frequency compared with control dogs.

Why they did it

Seizures and epilepsy, among the most common neurologic conditions in dogs, are typically treated with anti-seizure medications. Because many anti-seizure drugs come with significant adverse effects, it can be difficult to balance the need for seizure control while maintaining the dog’s quality of life. Additionally, about a third of dogs continue to have seizures despite anti-seizure drug therapy.

Dietary modification for seizure management has been studied extensively in humans. A new veterinary study analyzed whether a diet high in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) would help control seizures in epileptic dogs currently treated with anti-seizure medication.1

What they did

Twenty-eight pet dogs with idiopathic epilepsy were included in the randomized, double-blinded, multicenter, placebo-controlled, crossover study. The dogs had no bloodwork abnormalities, had previous normal cerebrospinal fluid analysis and magnetic resonance imaging findings, had at least three seizures in the previous three months, were currently being treated with at least one anti-seizure drug and were categorized as resistant to at least one of those drugs.

Advertisement

Dogs in the study group received a daily oil-based supplement high in MCT, while those in the control group received regular olive oil. Seizure frequency was then monitored for three months, after which the study dogs received the placebo and the placebo group received the MCT supplement for another three months.

What they found

Study dogs had a significant reduction in seizure frequency (number of days per month on which a seizure occurred) vs the control group. Two dogs were seizure free, three had a 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency, and 12 had a reduction in seizure frequency. However, 11 dogs showed no response.

Take-home points

A diet high in MCTs may be a useful tool for managing seizures in dogs. While the response does not appear to be as striking as for first-line anti-seizure drugs, a high-MCT diet has significantly fewer potential side effects and appears to be well tolerated.

Reference

1. Berk BA, Law TH, Packer RM, et al. A multicenter randomized controlled trial of effect of medium‐chain triglyceride dietary supplementation on epilepsy in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2020;34:1248-1259.

Dr. Nappier is assistant professor of community practice in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia.

download issueDownload Issue: Vetted July 2020

Related Content:

ClinicalAssociatesTechniciansMedicalVetted July 2020
Pride, representation, and inclusion in vet med
Pride, representation, and inclusion in vet med
Saving sea turtles helps rescue see data insights
Saving sea turtles helps rescue see data insights
Free microchipping event to take place in Chicago
Free microchipping event to take place in Chicago

Advertisement

Latest News

Research reveals efficacy of non-surgical contraceptive alternative for cats

Potential blood transfusion may offer lion chance of survival

Keeping pets safe from wildfire smoke

New report links pet ownership with human health care savings

View More Latest News
Advertisement