Mini Seizures in Dogs

German shepherds can be prone to epilepsy.

Mini seizures in dogs are also called partial seizures or focal seizures. These are far less dramatic than full-blown grand mal seizures, but still are serious enough to warrant a trip to the vet. Mini seizures have the same causes as grand mal or petite mal seizures. Sometimes veterinarians may refer to a petite mal as a mini seizure, but the Canine Epilepsy Network claims that petite mals are very rare in dogs.

Identification

Mini seizures in dogs often affect just one body part, such as the head, a leg or eyes. This body part moves repetitively and the dog cannot stop moving it. Unlike a grand mal seizure, a dog in a mini seizure stays conscious. As the dog ages, the seizure may spread to other parts of the body, according to "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook."

Causes

There are many causes of mini seizures in dogs, including brain injury; brain tumors; shock from extreme injury such as getting hit by a car; poisoning; bad reaction to a new medication; liver or kidney failure; and illnesses such as encephalitis, distemper or epilepsy. Owners should note any other symptom that accompanies a mini seizure--such as vomiting, diarrhea or not being able to walk--in order to help the vet diagnose the cause.

Treatment

Treatment depends entirely upon the cause of the dog's focal seizure. If there is no apparent cause such as poisoning, injury or growths in the brain, then the dog may be diagnosed with epilepsy. There is no cure for epilepsy, but seizures can be controlled with medication such as phenobarbital, primidone, potassium bromide and diazepam (Valium). These may be prescribed alone or in combination. "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook" notes that some epileptic dogs improve with diet changes and acupuncture.

Predilections

Some breeds of dogs are far more prone to getting epilepsy than others. These dogs may wind up with grand mal or mini seizures. These breeds includes beagles, Dachshunds, German shepherds, any breeds heavily based on German shepherds such as the Belgian Tervuren, cocker spaniels, collies, miniature schnauzers, poodles, golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, Irish setters and the wire fox terrier.

Time Frame

Mini seizures in dogs can happen at any point of the dog's life depending on the cause, such as poisoning or brain tumors. But if the cause is epilepsy, mini seizures usually begin to appear anytime when the dog is 6 months to 3 years old, according to Dr. Race Foster, DVM, on PetEducation.com. It can appear when a dog is as old as 5. Treatment for canine epilepsy is for the rest of the dog's life.

References

• "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook;" Debra M. Eldredge, DVM, et al.; 2007
• Canine Epilepsy Network: Canine Epilepsy Basics
• Canine Epilepsy Guardian Angels: Partial of Focal Seizures
• Pet Education: Epilepsy: A Cuase of Seizures in Dogs; Race Foster, DVM

Resources

• Canine Epilepsy Network
• University of Florida's Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital: Seizure Disorders in Dogs and Cats
• YouTube: Daisy Has a Partial Focal Seizure