Pets are in most households in the United States. Dogs are a very popular pet. They become a loving family member. Some dogs exhibit health issues throughout their lifetime. seizures in dogs is quite common. There are different types and causes. There are unique symptoms as well as many treatments for the disorder.
When one has a sensory disturbance in the brain that results in abnormal impulses a seizure occurs. Animals such as dogs can have seizures also. There are six types of seizures that effect canines. A general seizure is called just that generalized. It can be considered major or minor such as a petit mal seizure.
As in humans, the grand mal seizure is more serious. It can be deadly. Initially an animal will lose control of balance as its limbs will stiffen. The petit mal type is rare in dogs. The petit mal will have the animal losing consciousness and rolling its eyes up in its head.
A partial seizure is another type that only effects part of the body. These can turn into a generalized type of seizure. A complex partial seizure is when the dog will show changes in their behavior as well as have the seizure. It could show aggression, move around quickly or even bite its own legs. A cluster type is one in which the pet will show signs from different types of seizures.
During a seizure, there are three stages the animal will go through. These stages are called the Pre Ictal, Ictal and Post Ictal. The pre ictal stage can be identified typically by the animal acting strangely. They may exhibit anxiousness, whining and even shaking movements. The phase can be a few seconds or minutes to even lasting a couple of hours.
When the seizure is actually happening, the ictal stage has begun. No two seizures are completely the same. They can cause the animal to behave differently and do not be shocked if the dog urinates on itself. The animal will typically stiffen up and fall over. The last stage of seizure is called the post ictal. The dog may act confused, scared and even out of the ordinary. Sometimes the animal may exhibit a period of blindness.
When the condition is occurring, the best advice for an owner is not to panic. Do not hold the dog. Leave the dog alone and keep the area clear. Do not put fingers in its mouth as it may clamp down. Keep other animals out of the room. For any questions or concerns, ask the expert, the animals vet. Give them a call if the condition occurs for a long time. The vet will want to see the dog for an office visit to monitor its health status.
Dogs can have seizures. Being an informed owner is the best way to handle the issue if it were to occur. Do not be afraid but read about the condition. Educate yourself so that your furry friend can receive the care that they deserve. Talk to the vet about any fears, questions or concerns regarding seizures. They will be the best advocate to prepare the owner in the case of one happening.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Causes And Treatments Of Seizures In Dogs
Often, your dog is much like a member of your family. You care immensely about his or her well-being, and when something bad happens, you are very upset. Unfortunately, dogs often have seizures. This is a very scary thing to experience, but knowledge of what is happening and what can be done will help ease your mind about your furry friend's condition. Seizures in dogs are very common, and usually very treatable. Below, we are going to tell you more about this topic.
Types of seizures in your canine friend can vary in many ways, some much more noticeable and frightening than others. You may notice your pet seemingly biting at the air and laugh because it looks silly.
Most of the time, there is nothing serious wrong with your pet. There are many possible causes for this incredibly scary event. Your pet may have some sort of genetic abnormality that makes him or her prone to seizures.
There are things to do when you notice this happening. To start with, remain calm, and avoid your pet until the event passes. Don't try to interfere because, especially with large dogs, this can result in serious injury to you. Your pet is not suffering. Let the event pass, make sure he or she cannot be harmed, and then act once it is all over. If the problem persists or lasts a long time, immediately take the animal to the veterinarian to find the cause and possible treatments for the problem.
When you spot the problem actually occurring, there are things you should and should not do for your pet. First of all, don't freak out. Panicking will do no good. Stay calm, and try your best to keep your friend safe while this is occurring. Make sure that it will not fall into anything and nothing can fall on it. Try not to touch your pet until it is over and never put your hand in or near its mouth at the risk of being bitten. When it stops, then you can call the vet or take your pet in.
If the animal does not have the problem very often, your veterinarian may recommend that nothing be done. Medication is usually prescribed, but it can take many tries to find the best treatment, so if the events are rare, the medicine is not often necessary since the animal is not suffering.
If the cause is something else in the animal's body, that problem may have to be treated as well, which can often be a little more stressful, both to the animal and to you. Rarely does a canine have to be put down from having seizures.
Nobody likes to see their dog suffer. When they seize, it is very important to remember that they are not actually suffering. Staying informed about what is going on with your pet is the easiest way to manage whatever is causing this to happen. Regular visits to the vet are the best way. With seizures in dogs, you usually don't have much to worry about. Your dog will usually be alright.
Types of seizures in your canine friend can vary in many ways, some much more noticeable and frightening than others. You may notice your pet seemingly biting at the air and laugh because it looks silly.
Most of the time, there is nothing serious wrong with your pet. There are many possible causes for this incredibly scary event. Your pet may have some sort of genetic abnormality that makes him or her prone to seizures.
There are things to do when you notice this happening. To start with, remain calm, and avoid your pet until the event passes. Don't try to interfere because, especially with large dogs, this can result in serious injury to you. Your pet is not suffering. Let the event pass, make sure he or she cannot be harmed, and then act once it is all over. If the problem persists or lasts a long time, immediately take the animal to the veterinarian to find the cause and possible treatments for the problem.
When you spot the problem actually occurring, there are things you should and should not do for your pet. First of all, don't freak out. Panicking will do no good. Stay calm, and try your best to keep your friend safe while this is occurring. Make sure that it will not fall into anything and nothing can fall on it. Try not to touch your pet until it is over and never put your hand in or near its mouth at the risk of being bitten. When it stops, then you can call the vet or take your pet in.
If the animal does not have the problem very often, your veterinarian may recommend that nothing be done. Medication is usually prescribed, but it can take many tries to find the best treatment, so if the events are rare, the medicine is not often necessary since the animal is not suffering.
If the cause is something else in the animal's body, that problem may have to be treated as well, which can often be a little more stressful, both to the animal and to you. Rarely does a canine have to be put down from having seizures.
Nobody likes to see their dog suffer. When they seize, it is very important to remember that they are not actually suffering. Staying informed about what is going on with your pet is the easiest way to manage whatever is causing this to happen. Regular visits to the vet are the best way. With seizures in dogs, you usually don't have much to worry about. Your dog will usually be alright.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Things You Should Know About Seizures In Dogs
Pet owners and people whose job it is to look after and work with animals should know about seizures in dogs. It helps to understand them if you know what they are and if there are different types. You will then be able to tell if one is going to occur and how you can help that animal through it. They may need some special care whilst recovering and there could be long term care options which you will find out about after you visit your veterinarian.
Lasting anything from a few seconds to an hour it is important to know what causes it and the Vet should be contacted if they last for more than five minutes. Sudden activity in the brain or a change to the brain that happens rapidly and is unusual can be the trigger to such an occurrence. This is quite a shock to human witnesses and they may find themselves unsure of what to do, particularly as the dog can loose consciousness.
There are two types, the generalized which affects the whole body and makes the body stiffen with possible twitches and other involuntary movements. Dogs may make unintentional noises whilst experiencing a seizure. The second type is focal and is localized, the focus being on one set of muscles or one area of the body. This may be experienced as a repeated leg twitch or uncontrollable mouth movement.
Both before and after you will witness a period of unusual behavior. Your dog may appear unusually worried or frightened and you may not be able to determine the cause. Afterwards there will be a period of adjustment for your canine where it will seem tired and confused.
Whilst your animal is experiencing the full body rigidity and localized twitching you need to make sure that they are unable to hurt themselves on anything around them. Try to move things they could injure themselves on, or things which might fall on them if they knock the base. Make sure they can't fall down any near by stairs. If this is the first occurrence then contact the vet so that a diagnosis can be made and a suitable treatment provided.
As you might have witnessed before the incidence there will probably be some unusual behavior and you may find that they don't want to be cuddled or fussed. Talking calmly and in a low and reassuring voice may help to give them a better sense of where they are. They may want to sleep or be left alone and any unusual behavior, as well as the length of time that has passed should be noted down for later conversations with the veterinarian.
Your vet may recommend a course of treatment or one that is more long term and that will have to be administered regularly at home. If it occurred as a result of injury or tumor there may be a need for an operation. The vet will determine the severity and whether or not medication is needed. It could take some time however to find a medication which suits the animal.
You now know what a seizure is and the types there are, you know some of the signs that one might occur and what to do if it does, not to mention the aftercare. The best thing you can do for your dog is have them checked out at the vets surgery and give them the details you noted down for their diagnosis. This could help them to decide on whether or not they need medication.
Lasting anything from a few seconds to an hour it is important to know what causes it and the Vet should be contacted if they last for more than five minutes. Sudden activity in the brain or a change to the brain that happens rapidly and is unusual can be the trigger to such an occurrence. This is quite a shock to human witnesses and they may find themselves unsure of what to do, particularly as the dog can loose consciousness.
There are two types, the generalized which affects the whole body and makes the body stiffen with possible twitches and other involuntary movements. Dogs may make unintentional noises whilst experiencing a seizure. The second type is focal and is localized, the focus being on one set of muscles or one area of the body. This may be experienced as a repeated leg twitch or uncontrollable mouth movement.
Both before and after you will witness a period of unusual behavior. Your dog may appear unusually worried or frightened and you may not be able to determine the cause. Afterwards there will be a period of adjustment for your canine where it will seem tired and confused.
Whilst your animal is experiencing the full body rigidity and localized twitching you need to make sure that they are unable to hurt themselves on anything around them. Try to move things they could injure themselves on, or things which might fall on them if they knock the base. Make sure they can't fall down any near by stairs. If this is the first occurrence then contact the vet so that a diagnosis can be made and a suitable treatment provided.
As you might have witnessed before the incidence there will probably be some unusual behavior and you may find that they don't want to be cuddled or fussed. Talking calmly and in a low and reassuring voice may help to give them a better sense of where they are. They may want to sleep or be left alone and any unusual behavior, as well as the length of time that has passed should be noted down for later conversations with the veterinarian.
Your vet may recommend a course of treatment or one that is more long term and that will have to be administered regularly at home. If it occurred as a result of injury or tumor there may be a need for an operation. The vet will determine the severity and whether or not medication is needed. It could take some time however to find a medication which suits the animal.
You now know what a seizure is and the types there are, you know some of the signs that one might occur and what to do if it does, not to mention the aftercare. The best thing you can do for your dog is have them checked out at the vets surgery and give them the details you noted down for their diagnosis. This could help them to decide on whether or not they need medication.
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