Ask Dr. Dog By: Drs. Foster & Smith   on  May 1, 2010

Canine Epilepsy

Dear Dr. Dog: My dog recently had a seizure, which really scared me. My vet says it may be epilepsy. Can you tell me more about this disease in dogs?

 

Witnessing a seizure can be one of the most frightening experiences we, as pet owners, encounter. Not only does it appear as if the pet is in pain, it also reminds us that we do not always have control of our pet’s health. When we think of seizures, most of us think of the disease epilepsy. Epilepsy is the term for a disease that causes recurring seizures. 

Seizures are described as a sudden, usually brief, attack of altered consciousness, motor activity, or sensory phenomena. Seizures are caused by uncoordinated firing of the neurons (nerve cells) within the cerebrum (the front portion of the brain). Seizures are also called convulsions or “fits.” 

Seizures can occur singly or in groups. In general, a single, brief seizure is not life threatening. When seizures occur one after another in a group and continue, this is termed “status epilepticus” or simply “status.” If your pet is in status, a veterinarian should see him immediately so the seizures can be controlled. If the seizures are not stopped, the animal can die from a combination of factors.

It is important to remember that your pet is not feeling pain because of the seizure. In fact, the nature of seizures is such that the animal does not know what’s happening. 

 

What triggers a seizure?

The actual triggering of a seizure is unknown, but most patients tend to seizure during periods of excitability. Often, the owner will state that the patient seizured while playing ball or when the children returned home from school. Some patients have been known to seizure while sleeping. Please do not confuse this with dreaming, where it is common for the patient to bark or shake while sleeping. A dreaming patient can be awakened, but a seizuring patient cannot.

What you should do if your pet is having a seizure: 

  1. Remain calm. 
  2. Do not get near the animal’s mouth, because you may get bitten inadvertently. Your pet will not swallow his tongue during a seizure. 
  3. Keep your pet from hurting himself by removing anything he may knock over or break during the seizure. 
  4. Observe your pet and time the seizure. Call your veterinarian if your pet’s seizure lasts more than 10 minutes or if he is in status, as this would indicate a medical emergency. 

One or two seizures, with a long period in between, are usually nothing to be alarmed about. If there are more than two seizures, or if you have any concerns, call your veterinarian. Even if your pet has one seizure, be sure to note it and inform your veterinarian at your pet’s next examination.

 

Dogs Prone to Epilepsy

Epilepsy generally starts in animals 6 months to 5 years of age, usually at two to three years. The disease occurs in all breeds, including mixed breeds, and can be a genetic trait. It can even be familial, where the epileptic disorder passes down through generations within one family. 

Beagles, German Shepherds, Irish Setters, Poodles, Saint Bernards, Springers, Malamutes and Huskies, Cockers, Collies, Dachshunds, and Golden and Labrador Retrievers are some of the breeds with a higher tendency to develop epilepsy. It is recommended that dogs with epilepsy not be used for breeding, since this tendency can be inherited.

 

Diagnosis

First, your veterinarian will perform a detailed history evaluation of your pet. Certain information from you will help your veterinarian immensely in making the diagnosis. This information includes: 

  1. What does your pet look like when he is having seizures? 
  2. What is the duration of each seizure and how often do they occur? 
  3. Do signs appear only on one side of your pet’s body, or is one side more affected than the other? 
  4. Has your pet had a high fever? 
  5. Has your pet been exposed to any toxins? 
  6. Has your pet experienced any trauma recently or even years ago? 
  7. Is your pet current on vaccinations? 
  8. Has your pet been recently boarded or been with other dogs? 
  9. Has your pet had any other signs of illness? 
  10. Has your pet been running loose in the last several weeks? 
  11. What and when does your pet eat? 
  12. Has your pet had any behavior changes? Do the seizures occur in a pattern related to exercise, eating, sleeping, or certain activities? 
  13. Does your pet show different signs right before or right after the seizures? 

Your veterinarian will perform a physical and neurological exam and a panel of laboratory tests. Sometimes x-rays (radiographs) are taken. If the cause of the seizure cannot be identified, the condition is diagnosed as idiopathic or primary epilepsy. There is no test to diagnose epilepsy per se. Our tests simply rule out other causes of seizures. 

 

Treatment

Generally, treatment is only given if there are multiple seizures in some sort of pattern. Medication will only control the duration, severity, or number of seizures. If necessary, your veterinarian will prescribe a daily anticonvulsant (seizure-controlling medication), like Phenobarbital or Primadone, which are also used for human epilepsy. For dogs that cannot tolerate other long-term seizure medications, an anti-convulsant drug that is no longer manufactured commercially, potassium bromide, can be compounded by Drs. Foster & Smith Pharmacy or another such pharmacy. Potassium bromide is sometimes used in conjunction with other anti-seizure medications, as well.

Your veterinarian will most likely have to experiment to see what dose will work with your pet’s particular condition. Although treatment for epilepsy is life-long, once the proper dose is determined, it is not difficult to treat a pet with epilepsy. 

 

Other causes of seizures

Seizures are not always caused by epilepsy. Other causes include: 

  • Toxins 
  • Infections 
  • Drug overdose 
  • Trauma to the head (e.g., if a pet is hit by a car) 
  • Complications from metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, kidney, or liver disease 
  • Overheating 

© 2010 Drs. Foster and Smith, Inc. Reprinted as a courtesy and with permission from www.DrsFosterSmith.com. Free pet supply catalog: 1-800-323-4208.

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