Understanding Canine Epilepsy

A seizure can be a scary experience, especially if it is happening to your beloved pet.  A dog can experience a seizure for a number of reasons, and often the cause is unidentifiable.  As an owner, you can help treat your dog’s health problem, while allowing him to live a happy life.  Here’s a little basic, easy-to-understand information to get you on your way to understanding what is going on with your pet.  For more in-depth information, talk to your veterinarian or canine neurologist about the subject.

One seizure does not qualify as epilepsy; instead, the word epilepsy refers to repeated or continuous seizures.  There are two types of epilepsy.  Primary, or idiopathic, epilepsy is when the cause of the seizures is unidentifiable.  This simply means that the disease is inherited or that a cause cannot be determined.  Primary epilepsy is often apparent between the ages of one and three.  Since the cause of the seizures cannot be identified, the seizures are normally not stopped.  Instead, medication is used to treat the occurrence of the seizure.  Secondary, or symptomatic, epilepsy is when there is an identifiable cause, such as a brain tumor.  The development of epilepsy will depend upon the development of the cause.  In cases such as a brain tumor, the cause of the epilepsy is targeted and sometimes the epilepsy can be cured.  Medication is also used in the treatment of symptomatic epilepsy.

Before epilepsy can be properly diagnosed, it is important that you are able to identify and describe an “episode” that your pet may have.  Try to write down what happened, so that you can remember the details.  Your description combined with different tests can help your vet determine if your pet is suffering from epilepsy.  Descriptions are also important because seizures can often be confused with other health problems.  For example, a severe ear infection could cause your pet to wobble or fall.

Typically, a seizure will consist of three stages.  Before a seizure, you pet will show a change in behavior.  If your pet suddenly seems to be nervous, anxious, or “not himself,” then this can be a signal of the first phase of the seizure, the prodrome.  The next phase is the actual seizure.  Your pet may throw back his head, stiffen his muscles, and shake violently.  The loss of muscle control can lead to uncontrollable urination, defecation, or vocal expression.  Although he may appear to be awake, he is actually unconscious.  Immediately following the seizure your pet may be disoriented.  He may not move for a few minutes or he may pace restlessly around the house.  Sometimes, dogs become excessively hungry or thirsty after experiencing a seizure.

The treatment of epilepsy is normally a lifelong process, and the seizures may never stop completely.  Medication is used to lessen the severity and frequency of the seizures.  Finding a medication that is right for your pooch may take some time.  Every dog reacts differently to certain drugs and dosages.  For this reason, you need to be patient in your treatment efforts; there is no ‘miracle drug’ for all canines.  Following your veterinarian’s instructions on how and when to give the medication is also important for the drug to achieve maximum effectiveness.  If you feel that you need to stop the medication, talk to your veterinarian.  Suddenly stopping epilepsy medications can cause serious side effects.  Your vet will instruct you on how to slowly eliminate the prescription and begin new treatment.

A dog with epilepsy is able to live a normal, happy life.  With the exception of maintaining a treatment plan and a possible change in diet, epileptic pets are no different from completely healthy pets.  They still require, and are able to participate in, a daily exercise program.  They can play and run around just like any other pet!

Epilepsy is a complicated health problem that is sometimes hard to understand.  A one-time seizure is not considered epilepsy; instead, a pet is considered epileptic when he has reoccurring seizures.  On the most basic level, there are two types of epilepsy.  Both types cause a three-stage seizure.  Epilepsy can be treated with medication, and it normally requires a lifelong treatment plan.  If you have an epileptic pet, then don’t baby him; he can do the same things that a non-epileptic pet can do!