Table 1.
Veterinary terminology and its most common amendments over time
| Early terminology | Terminology currently in use | Suggested veterinary terminology 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPILEPTIC SEIZURES | |||
| An epileptic seizure with clinical signs indicating activity which starts in a localised area in the brain | Petit Mal | Partial/focal seizure | Focal epileptic seizurea |
| Aura | - Simple partial/focal seizure (consciousness unimpaireda) | ||
| -Will present with focal motor, autonomic or behavioural signs alone or in combination | |||
| - Complex partial/focal seizure (consciousness impaireda) | |||
| An epileptic seizure with clinical signs indicating activity involving both cerebral hemispheres from the start. -In dogs and cats the seizure presents predominantly as immediate ‘convulsions’ and loss of consciousness. Salivation, urination and/or defecation often also occur during convulsions. May also (but rare) present as atonic or myoclonic seizures | Grand Mal (always implicating convulsions) | Primary generalized seizure | Generalized epileptic seizure |
| An epileptic seizure which starts in a localized area in the brain and spreads subsequently to involve both hemispheres. -In dogs and cats the seizure starts with localized motor, autonomic and/or behavioural signs rapidly followed by convulsions. Salivation, urination and/or defecation often also occur during convulsions. | Partial seizure with secondary generalization (secondary generalized seizure) | Focal seizure with secondary generalization | Focal epileptic seizure evolving to become generalized |
| EPILEPSY | |||
| Epilepsy classified by aetiology | Primary Epilepsy | Idiopathic Epilepsy | Idiopathic Epilepsy |
| - Epilepsy where no structural cerebral pathology is suspected | - Epilepsy where no structural cerebral pathology is suspected. A genetic component may be involved | 1. Proven genetic background | |
| 2. Suspected genetic background | |||
| 3. Unknown cause and no indication of structural epilepsy | |||
| Epilepsy classified by aetiology | Secondary or Acquired epilepsy | Symptomatic Epilepsy | Structural epilepsy |
| - Epilepsy caused by identified cerebral pathology | - Epilepsy caused by identified cerebral pathology | - Epilepsy caused by identified cerebral pathology | |
| Epilepsy classified by aetiology | Cryptogenic | Probably or possibly symptomatic epilepsy | Unknown cause |
| - Meaning hidden | - A suspected symptomatic cause, which however remains obscure |
aRegarding our ability to evaluate if consciousness is unimpaired or impaired during focal seizures (former termed simple and complex focal seizures). We recommend that it is not attempted to interpret signs occurring during focal seizures where dogs may appear e.g. confused, unable to recognize the owner or not responding to commands as impaired consciousness, as this cannot objectively be investigated in animals