Epilepsy
Get our FREE guide to dog health
and happiness
Our guide has been authored by qualified veterinarians, but should not be taken as substitute for medical advice or professional veterinary consultation. If your pet displays any unusual symptoms, we strongly advise seeking guidance from a veterinarian
Understanding Epilepsy in dogs
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by seizures that occur when a focus of nerve cells (neurons) in the brain performs excessive and synchronized electrical firing, along with an environment that enables and amplifies the stimulation. When there is no clear primary cause behind these seizures (infectious disease, traumatic injury, or brain tumor), we refer to the phenomenon as epilepsy.
Dogs with epilepsy may experience two types of seizures: partial seizures or generalized seizures. These seizures usually last for a short time, about 30 seconds to a few minutes. Typically, you may notice several warning signs before a seizure – the dog may suddenly appear anxious, restless, disoriented, or fearful. It may experience visual disturbances, seek assistance, or seek attention from its owners. In a full-blown seizure, there will also be behavioral changes after the seizure – confusion and temporary disorientation, temporary blindness, increased thirst or hunger. In most cases, within minutes of the end of the seizure, the dog is already recovering and gradually returning to normal.
Bella's story
Bella's owner was terrified the first time she witnessed her dog having a seizure. Bella fell to the ground, her body convulsing uncontrollably. After what felt like an eternity but was only a few minutes, Bella's seizure stopped. Her owner immediately took her to the vet. The veterinarian diagnosed Bella with epilepsy after running several tests to rule out other possible causes. Bella was prescribed anti-seizure medication to help control her episodes. With regular medication and close monitoring, Bella's seizures became less frequent and less severe.
Epilepsy's Causes: Uncovering Triggers
Epilepsy includes recurrent seizures for no known reason (idiopathic), with likely genetic and developmental components behind them. However, seizures can be caused by many factors, so before diagnosing epilepsy, it is important to rule them out.
Common causes of seizures include:
- Structural brain disorders: congenital defects, cysts, tumors
- Autoimmune inflammations and infections in brain tissues
- Environmental factors: exposure to certain toxins, traumatic head injuries
- Various general medical conditions unrelated to the brain: such as hypertension, elevated ammonia levels in the blood due to liver disease, metabolic disorders such as hypoglycemia, and more.
Recognizing Epilepsy: Signs and Symptoms
- Facial muscle twitching
- Tonic clonic movements or paddling
- Increased drooling
- Increased trembling
- Behavioral changes: such as attempting to "catch flies".
- Increased urination: especially during a seizure episodes.
- Abnormal crying: unusual yelps/vocalization.
- Partial/Focal seizures: twitching, loss of focus, tremoring, mild muscle contractions.
In the case of a partial seizure, the dog will be conscious and aware of its surroundings, while in cases of generalized seizures, the dog will exhibit the same clinical signs, along with complete loss of consciousness.
Epilepsy Diagnosis: How it's Identified
The veterinarian will start with a thorough medical history and physical examination to assess the overall condition and examine whether there are findings that may explain the seizure events. Then, they will continue with a neurological examination to assess reflexes, coordination, and sensory abilities of the dog. Blood tests are also necessary at this stage to check if there are medical conditions that may cause seizures, such as acute inflammation, hypoglycemia, liver disease, or kidney disease. If necessary, the veterinarian will also recommend further advanced tests by a veterinary neurologist, MRI scans to rule out tumors or other structural defects, and cerebrospinal fluid sampling to check for signs of infection or sterile inflammation of the nervous system.
Treating Epilepsy: Options and Approaches
- Drug therapy – not all cases of epilepsy are treated with medication. In cases where seizures are mild and relatively infrequent, the veterinarian will not always recommend continuous drug treatment for life. In the case of more than one seizure per month, cluster seizures, or aggressive behavior during seizures, pharmacological treatment will be provided to reduce the frequency and duration of the events. Pharmacological treatment is divided into drugs that can be given during the seizure versus those given regularly to control the disease. In 70%-80% of epileptic dogs, such treatment will suffice. It is also important to keep a seizure log and perform periodic blood tests to ensure that the drug dosage given is indeed appropriate.
- Diet – It has been found that a diet rich in plant-based fatty acids may help reduce the frequency of seizures and their duration in dogs. There are now special medical foods suitable for epileptic dogs.
Epilepsy: Surprising Facts
Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder in dogs, with a prevalence of 0.75% to 5.7%.
The estimate is that 1 in 111 dogs suffers from idiopathic epilepsy, with the first seizure usually occurring at a young age, between one year and five years.
Epileptic seizures may seem dramatic to you, but they usually don’t cause significant neurological damage beyond a temporary feeling of disorientation, similar to what one might experience after drinking a few beers.
Vet's Tip: Dealing with Epilepsy
For diagnostic purposes, it is very important to film the seizures in real-time to show them to the veterinarian. Good documentation of the event, along with noting the signs that appeared before and after, can be the most significant diagnostic tool. Seizures may seem frightening and dangerous, and you may not imagine yourself standing on the side filming, but it is important to remember not to panic. It is also not advisable to approach or touch the dog during the seizure as it may be dangerous for both him and you.
Price Tag
Latest in Research and Treatments
Studies have found that the substance CBD found in cannabis oil may be effective in reducing the frequency of seizures in epileptic dogs. However, it is important to note that cannabis oil has not yet been approved as a treatment for epilepsy in dogs, so it is important to consult with a veterinarian before any new treatment.
dogs breeds Prone to Epilepsy
Did you know?
Enrolling in Animalia Pet Insurance
while your pet is healthy is a wise decision.
Waiting until a disease develops means it won't be covered.