Generalised absence seizures in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels presenting with paroxysms: eight cases (2016-2025).

Absence seizures represent a distinct electroclinical syndrome in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels responsive to anti-seizure medication.

This retrospective case series describes generalised absence seizures in eight Cavalier King Charles Spaniels diagnosed between 2016-2025 at two referral hospitals. All dogs demonstrated ictal discharges characterised by generalised onset, 3-4 Hz spike-and-wave complexes with caudal midline dominance on video-electroencephalography, consistent with human medicine definitions of absence seizures. Clinical manifestations included myoclonus (62.5%), behavioural arrest (37.5%), or seizures without motor signs (50%). Following anti-seizure medication treatment, 83.3% of caregivers reported ≥50% reduction in paroxysm frequency, with 100% of dogs showing improved ictal discharge severity on follow-up studies. One dog required hospitalisation and was ultimately euthanased due to poor seizure control. Fly catching, reported as a primary complaint in two cases, was only electrographically confirmed in one dog. This represents the first case series documenting generalised absence seizures as an electroclinical syndrome in this breed, aligning with current human medicine electrographic definitions.

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