Understanding Canine Epilepsy:
by Willard J. Moore and Julie Nettifee Osborne, RVT, BS, VTS (Neurology)
How One Dog’s Disease is Changing the Outcome for Pets and Their Owners
Witnessing a seizure in a canine companion is one of the most unsettling events any pet owner can face. Primary (idiopathic) epilepsy is a recurrent seizure disorder that has no identifiable cause and is believed to be inherited in many breeds including Golden Retrievers, Beagles, Standard Poodles, and Labrador Retrievers. Dogs most commonly develop primary epilepsy between 1-5 years of age. What is a Seizure? A seizure is a transitory disturbance in brain function due to abnormal electrical discharges from brain cells. There are two basic categories of seizures. Generalized seizures involve the body symmetrically and are characterized by the animal falling, losing consciousness, paddling, urinating, defecating, salivating, and demonstrating chewing motions. Focal, or partial, seizures involve only a localized area of the brain and produce fly biting, facial twitches, head turning, and/or alterations in behavior. Following seizure activity, many dogs also experience a period of confusion, disorientation, restlessness, aggression, or temporary blindness, which is called the postictal period. The postictal period may last minutes to hours. How Will Epilepsy Affect Your Pet’s Life? Epileptic pets behave normally between seizures and generally live a normal life span if the seizures are 42 Volume 3 • Issue 2
T The Triangle Dog
controlled well with medications. A well-controlled epileptic can be expected to seizure less than once per month. Occasionally, side effects from the medications may affect a pet’s life span. Due to the likely genetic link, epileptic pets should not be bred, and females should be spayed because hormonal changes associated with the heat cycle are believed to lower the seizure threshold. It is helpful to maintain an accurate seizure log to document any changes in frequency, intensity, or duration of the seizures, and you should notify your veterinarian if any changes are observed. Blood work should be performed at least every 12 months to monitor your pet for antiepileptic medication side effects. What Should You Do If Your Pet Experiences Seizures? If your pet experiences a seizure, remain calm and time the seizure. Make sure your pet is on the floor so he or she cannot fall. Remove furniture from the immediate area and protect your pet from water, stairs, children, and other pets. Animals are not at risk of swallowing their tongues; do not reach into their mouths or place items in their mouths. Record the date, length, and description of the seizure in your seizure log. Seizures normally last a couple of seconds to a couple of minutes. If the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes or if there are multiple seizures in one day, contact your veterinarian. Continue to watch your pet closely during the postictal period.