RVC to run epilepsy diet trial
The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is to run a new trial, which will investigate the effect of diet on canine idiopathic epilepsy. Holger Andreas Volk, an RVC lecturer and clinical director at the centre, said: “The influence of diet on epilepsy severity and quality of life is established in humans, with many diets having been shown to improve seizure control.
“However, there is little data to support the use of diets in veterinary medicine. A new diet has been developed that could improve the management of epileptic dogs, not only by reducing seizure frequency, but especially by improving quality of life and decreasing the level of side effects seen with standard antiepileptic drugs."
The newly developed diet is being trialled on epileptic dogs being treated with phenobarbitone and/or potassium bromide, in order to test its efficacy and safety.
Staff at the college, however, have only managed to recruit half the sample size they need to test the diet, and are now calling on vets and vet nurses to suggest any patients they believe are suitable. Volk added: “We need your help to recruit more dogs. The food is very well tolerated and liked by the dogs on the study.”
According to staff, participating dogs must be aged between 6 months and 11 years old, have had at least three seizures in the last three months and be receiving at least phenobarbital. They must also be suspected of having idiopathic epilepsy, including an unremarkable MRI, and be in good general health, with an unremarkable interictal.
For more information on the trial, the RVC have asked vets and vet nurses to email the Clinical Investigations Centre.
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting applications from veterinary students to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2026.
