Table 11 Essential data (Level I) that are required to be collected for a meaningful post-mortem examination

I. Data on the animal and pedigree

# breed, age, gender

# evidence of seizures or other paroxysmal and neurological diseases in the pedigree

# usual food and treats, dietary changes

# exposure to toxins/medications

II. Data on the events & clinical presentation

# possible triggers

# seizure onset semiology and characteristics

# evidence of automatisms

# interictal neurological signs/neurolocalisation

# seizure frequency and duration

# abnormal MRI and EEG findings

# abnormalities on blood work, CSF and urine analysis

III. Epicrisis

# treatment scheme and response

# changes to semiology

# recently acquired medical problems

# time span from last seizure to death

# natural death or euthanasia

# death in status epilepticus