Information about Dogs with Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a disorder characterized by repeated seizures. A single seizure can be triggered in a dog for a number of reasons (such as malnutrition, poisoning and diabetes), but only seizures that occur again and again qualify as epilepsy. Seizures are a symptom of brain disease. When the source of the disease is identified (like a brain tumor or stroke), the dog is said to have symptomatic or secondary epilepsy. Canine epilepsy can also be inherited, and scientists are currently working to identify the gene or genes that cause epilepsy in dogs.
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Causes
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According to the website Pet Education, causes of epilepsy in dogs include congenital defects, brain tumors and brain damage resulting from low blood flow to the brain or trauma. The seizure itself results from a misfiring of neurons in the brain. Often the reason for this misfiring is not understood.
Types
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Partial seizures affect only one part of the body, or one side. Generalized seizures affect the whole body and can be grand mal, the most common, or petit mal. Grand mal seizures involve convulsions of the entire body. Petit mal seizures involve little movement and are also known as "absence" seizures, in which the animal just stares blankly and is unresponsive. According to the website Canine Epilepsy, petit mal seizures are extremely rare in dogs. The most severe form of seizure is called "status epilepticus" and involves grand mal seizures in rapid succession, without a recovery period in between each.
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Symptoms
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Symptoms vary depending on the type of seizure. In partial seizures, movement will be restricted to one area of the body and is characterized by jerking, turning of the head to one side, and facial twitches. Petit mal seizures involve staring, brief loss of muscle tone and sometimes an upward rotation of the eyes. Grand mal seizures involve stiffening of the muscles and falling to the side, followed by jerking movements and a loss of bladder and bowel control, according to the Canine Epilepsy Network.
Treatment
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According to the website Vet Info, dogs with epilepsy are often prescribed the same kinds of anticonvulsant medications given to humans with epilepsy. Phenobarbital is the most commonly prescribed anticonvulsant for dogs. Potassium bromide is another drug used to treat canine epilepsy, though it can be toxic. Dogs prescribed potassium bromide need to be carefully monitored.
Breeds with Idiopathic Epilepsy
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Some canine breeds exhibit a genetic predisposition for epilepsy. According to researchers at Florida State University, breeds that show a predisposition to idiopathic (inherited) epilepsy include: dalmations, beagles, boxers, Belgian tervurens, collies, cocker spaniels, dachshunds, German shepherds, golden retrievers, Irish setters, Irish wolfhounds, keeshonden, Labrador retrievers, pointers, Saint Bernards, schnauzers, Siberian huskies, vizslas, Welsh springer spaniels and wire fox terriers.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit dog image by Ramona smiers from Fotolia.com
