Canine Epilepsy

During a seizure episode, an affected dog will appear to suddenly go stiff, as a misfire of electrical impulses in the brain send mixed up messages to the muscular system.

After this initial phase, which may last only a few seconds, the seizure progresses into uncontrollable muscle movements that may last a minute or more. During this time, a dog may shake uncontrollably, whine, paddle its feet, and even have uncontrolled bowel movements or urination as the muscles spasm.

Once this phase passes, the animal will generally lie quite still and dazed, eventually attempting to get up again. Some dogs recover from a seizure quickly, while others remain slightly dazed and less functional for a day or two afterward.

The onset of the illness is generally seen in dogs less than five years old, but once it begins, the seizures will persist throughout the animal's life.

Types

Canine Epilepsy is divided into two types:

• Primary Epilepsy, also referred to as Idiopathic Epilepsy, appears to have no known cause and displays no obvious brain abnormalities when scanned. This form of the condition is believed to be hereditary.
• Secondary Epilepsy actually has a specific cause, usually an identifiable lesion on the brain.

What Causes It?

Although there is no known cause for Primary Canine Epilepsy, Secondary Epilepsy may be brought on by previous medical conditions and other causes.

These include, but are not limited to:

• Brain tumors
• Brain infections
• Low thyroid
• Low blood sugar
• Vaccinations

About Seizures

Seizures may also be divided into two basic types.

• General seizures affect the entire brain, and so electrical impulses are misfired to the dog's entire muscle system, causing the whole body to be affected during an episode.
• Partial seizures only affect a limited portion of the brain, and so only a specific area of the body will experience the effects of the seizure.

Anatomy of a Seizure

No matter which type of seizure is experienced, every seizure has four distinct stages.

Stage one is the Prodomal stage which may go unnoticed. During this prelude to a seizure, affected dogs may undergo a bit of a personality change, becoming less active and interested in their surroundings.

Stage two is referred to as the Aura. During this stage an epileptic dog will appear a bit nervous and agitated as the electrical brainstorm begins. Whining, restlessness, and drooling may all be signals that a seizure is coming.

Stage three is known as the Ictus and is the classical seizure that gives the condition its identity.

The fourth and final stage is Post-Ictus, the period immediately following the seizure. During this stage, an epileptic animal may attempt to get up and stumble around. Sight may also be impaired for a few hours after the seizure, so extra care should be taken to keep the animal safe from accidental injury.

Treating the Disease

Treatment of Canine Epilepsy can be broken into two parts.

Diet

Since low blood sugar can instigate a seizure, it's important to feed your dog on a regular schedule to keep blood sugar levels stabile. Feeding two to three smaller meals during the course of the day works best for this purpose. It's also advisable to feed dog food that is free from preservatives, since some of the chemicals used have also been found to trigger seizures.

Directly after a seizure episode, it's crucial to restore your pet's blood sugar levels back to normal. As soon as your dog seems ready, try offering a spoonful of a sugary snack such as pudding or ice cream. This should immediately boost the blood sugar and should be followed with a small meal. Then offer your pet a small snack about once an hour to help keep the blood sugar stabile, which will aid your pet immensely during the recovery period and help stave off repeat seizures, also known as clusters.

Medication

Veterinarians use several types of pet medications to control canine epilepsy.

These include:

• Phenobarbitol is a useful drug but must be monitored quite closely since prolonged use can cause liver damage.
• Potassium bromide is especially useful for pets with liver damage.
• Valium is often prescribed for either oral or rectal use.

Conclusion

Since there is no cure for Canine Epilepsy at this time, managing the condition or choosing euthanasia are the only options.

Dogs with epilepsy have been known to live for years with this condition, but this really depends on how severely an animal is affected with the illness. Let your vet be your guide about the best way to deal with Canine Epilepsy, should the condition ever surface in your own pet.