Investigating Novel Device to Reduce Epileptic Seizures

As many as 3 million dogs in the United States suffer from epilepsy. Available pharmaceutical treatments are expensive and can have significant side effects. As an alternative approach, researchers will evaluate a novel wearable wireless collar device to help improve treatment of canine epilepsy. The device, adapted specially for dogs from a human epilepsy therapy device, stimulates a nerve in the neck that connects the brain to the heart. The investigators will test whether the device effectively causes detectable changes in heart rate and brainwaves in dogs. Identifying noninvasive and nonpharmaceutical therapies for epileptic dogs will increase the available treatment strategies for this frustrating disease.