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Epilepsy in dogs

In the brain of your dog, messages are constantly being passed from one nerve cell to another. This happens through electrical impulses ('jolts') and chemical substances, neurotransmitters. Sometimes this process causes a 'short circuit': an epileptic seizure. Experiencing an epileptic seizure in your dog is very frightening. You feel powerless because you cannot stop the seizure. The impact of epilepsy on a dog's life varies and depends on factors such as the cause and the response to medication. Pharmacy4pets is happy to explain everything about this distressing condition.

Causes of Epilepsy in Dogs

Epilepsy in dogs is often hereditary. In cases of hereditary epilepsy, a dog usually has its first seizure between the age of six months and six years. Epilepsy can also be caused by a brain abnormality, such as a congenital defect, a brain tumor, or inflammation. Epileptic seizures can also be the result of an underlying illness, such as low blood sugar, liver or kidney disease, or poisoning.

Symptoms of Epilepsy in Dogs

An epileptic seizure almost always occurs during rest. The duration and severity of the seizures can vary from individual to individual.

Roughly speaking, there are two types of epileptic seizures. The well-known epileptic seizures with loss of consciousness, convulsions throughout the body, 'bicycle' movements of the legs, loss of urine and feces, and foaming at the mouth are called generalized seizures. A generalized seizure consists of three phases.

During a seizure, we distinguish three phases:

The pre-seizure phase (prodrome, aura, precursors): this phase of epilepsy precursors can last a few seconds, but also hours or even days. In this phase, you may notice a change in behavior in your dog, as he senses the seizure approaching.
The seizure itself (ictus): the seizure itself usually lasts a short time, from seconds to minutes. If the seizure lasts longer than 10 minutes, we speak of ‘status epilepticus’ and you should call your veterinarian.
The post-seizure phase (postictal phase): this phase can last a few seconds to several days. The convulsions are over, but your dog behaves strangely. He may be restless or extremely sleepy, lie in strange places, be very hungry and thirsty, and may not recognize you. Consciousness in this phase is still reduced, it’s kind of like ‘sleepwalking’.

In cases of partial or focal epilepsy, a dog is still aware of its surroundings and, for example, its ear or paw may tremble uncontrollably. Also, 'fly catching', where a dog tries to catch an imaginary fly, can be a form of partial epilepsy.

What to Do During Your Dog's Epileptic Seizure

An epileptic seizure cannot be stopped. It's important to realize that your dog is unconscious during a generalized seizure. He will not remember the seizure or the phase afterward. The most important thing during an epileptic seizure is to prevent injuries to your dog and yourself.

Try to stay calm.
Stay away from your dog's mouth. The jaws clatter uncontrollably and you could get bitten. Even in the phase after the seizure, your dog may react unexpectedly and bite you.
Do not put anything, including medication, into your dog's mouth. He could choke on it.
Do not hold your pet. This doesn't help and can injure you.
If necessary, move furniture out of the way so that your dog doesn't hurt himself.
Write down how long the seizure lasts and what happens and/or film the seizure so you can discuss it later with your veterinarian.
Call your veterinarian if the seizure lasts more than ten minutes.
Approach your pet very calmly after the seizure and avoid strong stimuli (light, sound, touch). Your dog has reduced consciousness and may react fearfully or aggressively. He cannot help it.

The Diagnosis of Epilepsy

Unfortunately, there is no general test that indicates your dog has epilepsy. For various breeds where epilepsy occurs as a hereditary condition, DNA tests are available. If your dog has epileptic seizures, your veterinarian will evaluate your description of the seizures and any videos you may have.

Physical examination and blood tests are primarily intended to rule out underlying causes such as low blood sugar, heart conditions, or liver shunt. In many dogs with 'true' epilepsy, no abnormalities will be found from these tests. An MRI scan of the brain can demonstrate or rule out structural brain disorders as the cause of epileptic seizures.

Treatment of Epilepsy in Dogs

Whether treatment should be initiated depends on the cause of the epilepsy and the frequency, nature, and severity of the condition. If the seizures are very mild and/or partial or occur very sporadically, treatment is often not initiated. Medication for epilepsy also has side effects, and the benefits must always be weighed against the drawbacks.

If an underlying cause is found, it will be addressed if possible, which in most cases results in the disappearance of the seizures. When seizures occur in quick succession and/or are more severe, medication is often started. Various medications are available for epilepsy. Your veterinarian will work with you to determine what is best for your dog. Often, the correct dosage of the medication must be established with repeated blood tests, as there are large individual differences. Specialized diets can help limit epileptic seizures in your dog. Specialized diets usually do not replace medication and should always be given in consultation with your veterinarian.

The goal of treatment for epilepsy is ideally that your dog no longer experiences seizures. Very often, this goal is not achieved, but the frequency and intensity of the seizures decrease significantly, creating a very livable situation for both the dog and the owner. In some cases, epilepsy cannot be controlled with medication and euthanasia is eventually considered.

Epilepsy is a complex condition. The diagnosis is not always easy to make, and finding the best treatment can sometimes be a challenge. Fortunately, most dogs eventually respond well to medication, and seizures can be minimized, allowing your dog with epilepsy to lead a relatively normal life.

If you have any questions about our products or about epilepsy in dogs, please contact us.