Understanding The Symptoms And Causes For Epilepsy In Dogs

When it comes to people having to see their best, four-legged friend have an epileptic seizure, it can be scary, frustrating and confusing to witness, especially when you feel that there's nothing you can do to help them. While epilepsy in dogs can be common, knowing the causes, symptoms and what to look for may help to make things more manageable for both you and your pet.

While not all seizures are related to canine epilepsy, the epilepsy disorder is defined by recurrent seizures. This is brought on when the brain mixes up signals or messages to the body due to abnormal brain activity triggers. As a result, this can cause convulsions, or seizures, and potentially other commonly related symptoms along with it.

Since there are many causes for seizures, canine epilepsy cannot be defined as one singular or specific disease or cause. Instead, it is more rather a category within a series of disorders, and it is divided into two different types of disorders or subcategories known as idiopathic and symptomatic disorders.

Idiopathic epilepsy, or primary epilepsy, often bearing no direct causes or abnormal brain issues; however, it is commonly suspected that certain genetics or breeds may carry the disorder, which usually starts between the ages of one and five years old. Symptomatic or secondary epilepsy is generally something that shows signs to other causes such as lesions, tumors or other health-related matters.

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.

Common beginning phases of a seizure may be where the dog acts oddly such as pacing, salivating, hiding, overly affectionate, whining or restless. During the actual seizure, you will note uncontrolled muscle spasms, vomiting, running in circles and so forth. After a seizure, symptoms usually result in the dog appearing disoriented, lethargic, uncoordinated and, in some cases, may suffer temporary blindness.

Whenever you see your pet having a seizure, it's important to keep an eye on them and to calm them as much as possible. However, since the dog will be disoriented, it's best to avoid touching them directly in case they bite by accident. In most cases, comforting the pet at the end has the most benefit, since they may not be aware of your efforts during the fact.

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.

Dealing With Epilepsy Dogs Often Have

Handling epilepsy dogs have is a common problem. Epilepsy is a disease that causes seizures. What should be understood is that not all seizures are caused by epilepsy. Epilepsy occurs because there is electrical currents in the brain that cause the familiar seizures. This disease is common and can occur in any breed of dog, it is not specific to any one breed. The cause may either be genetic of heredity.

Epilepsy is a disease that can be divided into two types. The primary form of epilepsy is genetic. This form of epilepsy is passed down through the dogs parents. By looking at a dogs heredity you will often see other cases of the disease.

The other type of the disease is often caused by a lack of nutrients, or a toxin in the environment. Lead and other toxic substances can trigger the epileptic seizures, as can a lack of certain vitamins.

The primary symptoms of epilepsy are the seizures. There are many types of seizures. People familiar with epilepsy in humans will recognize these categories. There are the grand mal seizures. In the grand mal seizure the dog might collapse, lose consciousness and exhibit other extreme behaviors. This type of seizure is associated with the first form of epilepsy.

There are lesser degrees of seizure; some may be very limited in outward signs. In some cases the dog may seem to twitch, or become hazy. Some people may not even recognize a seizure when it occurs.

Owning a dog that has the disease can be traumatic. But there is help. While you cannot cure the disease there are medications that can limit the symptoms and make the dogs life more livable. Some of these are the same medications that are given to humans. Among them are some familiar names such as Valium.

If your dog exhibits the signs of a seizure you should do several things. First, observe their behavior so that you may inform the veterinarian how they were acting before and after the event.

Keeping watch over your dogs eating habits is very important. Besides what food they are eating, it is important to observe and see if there are any poisons or toxins in the area which they have access to.

After the seizure, you should take your dog to a veterinarian. The vet will perform tests including blood work and brain scans. This will look into whether the seizures have been caused by a toxic presence in the dogs life, or rather is primary epilepsy.

You should try and keep the area where the dog is going to be as clean as possible. Any toxic substances such as lead must not be allowed to be near the dog, as these can lead to seizures. After the dog has been prescribed medication you have to watch for reactions. Negative side effects such as liver damage are often associated with epilepsy drugs.

It is also unwise to stop the drugs without lowing the dose. Like many medications for humans, suddenly ceasing all intake can itself cause a problem. Because of this you will often be told by the vet to gradually lower the dose.

Some of the drug treatments can injure a dog if they are halted all together. Like any medication they should be slowly lowered and not completely stopped. Withdrawal all at once can cause injury to the dog.

Even though the disease is never cured, it can be controlled. The comfort level of a dog with epilepsy is now much better then it was in previous years. Medications can ensure that a dog can have limited effects and live a happier and more peaceful existence.

What Are The Types Of Dogs Seizures

There are six types of dogs seizures. Seizures are unpredictable and can happen at any time. They are distressing to the dog, of course, but to their family as well. Nothing can be done but to witness it and offer some comfort. Do not panic, offer soothing words and sounds and if possible, rub their back to let them know you are there.

It is frightening to be in the throws of a seizure. Your pet has no control over the muscles of their body. Sometimes they can have brief periods of being unable to breathe. Control of the bladder and bowels can be lost. Remove as many items as possible that they may hurt themselves on. Have children stand at a distance so their are not injured by accident.

Veterinarians do not believe that a seizure causes pain. The owner should stand back and observe an episode then record everything. From what happened just before it began to how the dog behaved when it was over. This information will be used by the veterinarian to determine what kind of seizure it was. The cause of them and what treatment should be given, will also be determined at least in part based on the observations of the pet owner.

The various types of seizures are identified by their symptoms. The generalized seizure may be a grand mal or mild seizure. The mild has few symptoms and the pet will remain conscious during it. There could be some mild movement of the limbs and head. The grand mal seizure also affects the entire body but will include further loss of bodily functions. Uncontrolled salivating, and the release of the bladder and bowels my occur.

Petit mal seizures involve just moments of unconsciousness, their eyes may rotate up or they will have a blank stare. This type is considered very rare. Partial seizures affect one area of the body. It may be twitching of the facial muscles or a single limb jerking. These can progress to a generalized seizure and it should be noted if one area was affected first.

A different type of seizure is the complex partial seizure. It shows as unusual behaviors that may last just a few minutes or many hours. The dog remains aware through it all. They may hide and cower, become excessively thirsty or hungry. They may smack their lips and chew uncontrollably. The dog may even experience blindness during that time.

The more serious seizures that can be fatal are the cluster and status epilepticus. The status epilepticus seizures will be either one long episode or a series of episodes without any awareness during them. Either can last for up to 30 minutes. The cluster seizure is a series of seizures while fully conscious.

Since there are periods when the dog may not be able to breathe during any of the seizures, it is easy to see why these are considered life threatening. There are prescriptions available to help control dogs seizures. Working closely with the veterinarian may help your pet find relief or control of the symptoms.