topiramate and Cat-Diseases

Current treatment options for feline epilepsy are limited to medications that require administration of multiple doses per day or administration of a capsule or large tablet. Expanding the current treatment options could improve patient and owner compliance and optimize seizure control. Topiramate has been used sparingly in veterinary medicine, and limited pharmacokinetic studies have focused on immediate release formulations in dogs. If effective and safe, topiramate extended-release (XR) could broaden the current treatment options for feline epilepsy. The aims of this two-phase study were to establish single-dose pharmacokinetics for topiramate XR in cats, identify a dosing regimen that maintains steady-state plasma drug concentrations within a reference range extrapolated from human medicine (5-20 μg/mL), and evaluate the safety of topiramate XR in cats following multidose administration. Topiramate XR administered orally at 10 mg/kg once daily for 30 days was sufficient to achieve the desired concentrations in all cats. While no clinically apparent adverse effects were observed, four out of eight cats developed subclinical anemia, calling into question the safety of topiramate XR with chronic administration. Further studies are necessary to better understand the potential adverse effects and overall efficacy of topiramate XR for the treatment of feline epilepsy.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Anticonvulsants; Cat Diseases; Cats; Delayed-Action Preparations; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Epilepsy; Fructose; Humans; Topiramate

To describe renal tubular acidosis (RTA) and secondary acquired hyperaldosteronism in a cat as an adverse effect of topiramate therapy.. An 8-year-old neutered female cat on chronic oral topiramate therapy at a recommended dose (11.9 mg/kg q 8 h) for seizure control was presented with severe metabolic acidosis and hypokalemia. Plasma electrolyte and acid-base analysis identified a severe metabolic acidosis (pH 7.153, reference interval: 7.31-7.46), hypokalemia (2.08 mmol/L [2.08 mEq/L], reference interval: 3.5-4.8 mmol/L [3.5-4.8 mEq/L]), and ionized hypercalcemia (1.85 mmol/L [1.85 mEq/L], reference range: 1.1-1.4 mmol/L [1.1-1.4 mEq/L]). Urinalysis revealed a urine specific gravity of 1.021 and a pH of 7.0. Diagnostic workup suggested distal RTA as a cause of the cat's acid-base and electrolyte disturbances. Aldosterone concentration was moderately increased, suggestive of secondary hyperaldosteronism. The metabolic abnormalities resolved with supportive care and discontinuation of topiramate.. Topiramate is suggested to have led to the development severe RTA in a cat.

Topics: Acidosis, Renal Tubular; Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Electrolytes; Female; Hyperaldosteronism; Hypokalemia; Male; Topiramate

Feline idiopathic ulcerative dermatosis is a rare, poorly understood condition characterized by self-trauma. The lesion presents as a nonhealing, crusted ulcer, which occurs most commonly on the dorsal midline of the neck or between the scapulae.. A 2-year-old female neutered domestic short hair cat was presented with an ulcerative dermatosis affecting the dorsal midline. Previous investigations had failed to identify the cause, and the lesion was resistant to treatment.. Diagnosis was based on clinical findings and confirmed by histopathology showing epidermal ulceration and superficial necrosis with a mild dermal infiltrate together with subepidermal fibrosis. The cat had been fed a commercial hypoallergenic diet for 6 months, which had successfully managed its chronic diarrhoea. Deep skin scrapings, cytology and fungal culture failed to demonstrate pathogens.. Remission was obtained within 4 weeks and has been maintained over a 30 month period with topiramate (5 mg/kg orally twice daily), an anti-epileptic drug used in human medicine. Attempts to withdraw this therapy led to relapse within 24 h on two occasions. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report of the use of this drug for feline idiopathic ulcerative dermatosis.

Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Dermatitis; Female; Fructose; Neuroprotective Agents; Topiramate