When people see their beloved canine companions suffering from a fit, it can be scary and frustrating, especially when you aren’t sure how to help them and where it may lead. Epilepsy in dogs can be fairly common, however, but it also can be manageable to some degree, as well as slightly less frightening once you understand its causes and symptoms.
Canine-type epilepsy is a chronic condition that entails reoccurring seizures in dogs. However, it’s also important to know that not all cases of seizures are to due to epilepsy. The epilepsy disorder is causes by abnormal brain activities triggering the braining, which in turn send mixed up signals to the muscles and the rest of the body, resulting in convulsions as well as other related symptoms.
Because there can be several causes for seizures, canine epilepsy can’t be defined as the sole or main cause for them. The disorder itself, however, remains as a category for seizures and is broken up into two different types, which are idiopathic and symptomatic seizures.
Idiopathic, or primary, epilepsy is often defined by the lack of abnormalities within the brain, other than the symptoms themselves, and are often suspected of being genetic, especially amongst certain dog breeds. Symptoms are said to start between the ages of one and five years of age, generally with no known cause. Symptomatic or secondary epilepsy, on the other hand, can often be contributed to other causes, like lesions or other health-related issues.
Generally, seizures are classified as either a petite mal or grand mal seizure, with grand mal seizures being the most common affliction. Grand mal symptoms generally entail collapsing and/or signs of uncontrolled spasm and convulsions, while other signs may include swimming or paddling in place, marching or drunk-like weaving, salivating, and sometimes urination and defecation. Petite mal seizures typically do not bear symptoms of convulsions, but may result in the loss of consciousness or collapsing.
The initial signs that a dog may be falling into a seizure may include hiding, being overly affection, whining, restlessness or pacing and salivating. During the seizure, signs often are uncontrolled spasms or convulsions, circling, marching or paddling and vomiting, although other behaviors may show. Afterward, your dog may suffer from lethargy, disorientation, temporary blindness, or being uncoordinated.
Should you have the misfortune of seeing your pet go through a seizure, it’s important to keep an eye on them, but also to avoid touching them, so that you don’t accidentally get bit. Try to use a calming voice and stay calm yourself, but try comforting afterward, as most times dogs are too disoriented to notice comfort during the moment.
If you feel that epilepsy in dogs is part of the problem, or if you’re seeing signs of poor health or seizures, it’s always important to seek professional help from your veterinarian, so that they’re able to give a proper diagnosis. They will generally perform lab tests, x-rays, a neurological and physical exam in order to gain a diagnosis, as well as ask you about any previous health issues or history. While there are no exact tests to determine epilepsy, certain exams can help to determine the cause for the seizures themselves. They may be able to prescribe treatment or medication to help manage these fits, as well advise you properly on how you and your dog can cope with them in the future.
