Mary Allen
Epilepsy in dogs is one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system and is caused by excessive electrical activity in the brain.
Epilepsy in dogs is based on a disturbing relationship between electrical charge and discharge of the nerve cells in the cerebrum. In this disease, neurons give off uncontrolled surges of electricity, causing involuntary movement disorders, the so-called “epileptic seizures”. The duration of the seizures varies – sometimes they last a few seconds, other times they last several minutes. Around 2 percent of all dogs suffer from this disease.
Symptoms
Canine epilepsy can be roughly divided into two types. The first type is partial or focal epilepsy. Only a few areas of the brain are involved, and the effects are only felt on a few parts of the body. Such epileptic seizures often happen unnoticed by the dog owner, as they only lead to twitching of the lips or limbs, for example.
In contrast, seizures of generalized epilepsy express themselves much more clearly, since both hemispheres of the cerebral cortex are involved and thus affect the entire body of the dog. Most seizures go through the following three stages:
Stage 1:
In the first phase, some changes in the dog’s behavior can already indicate an incipient seizure. These include, for example, unusual movements such as restless walking around or frequent licking of the lips. Altered bodily functions such as increased urination, vomiting, or increased salivation can also be indications that an attack is about to begin. In this phase, the dog is also usually very restless. He seeks attention, barks a lot, and howls. However, the opposite can also be the case: the dog withdraws and hides.
Stage 2:
The actual seizure that most people associate with epilepsy begins with a sudden stiffening of the skeletal muscles. The dogs fall over (usually with outstretched legs) and lose consciousness. Uncontrolled, spasmodic movements are also typical, which can manifest themselves, for example, in “paddling movements” of the legs. Increased salivation and whimpering can also accompany such an attack. The dog’s breathing is usually very fast and violent. Typically, these seizures last only a few minutes and are not life-threatening. It only becomes dangerous if they last longer than ten minutes or if the seizures happen one after the other, leaving the dog no time to recover.
Stage 3:
After the actual attack is over, the animals are usually very exhausted and dazed. The after-effects can be felt by the dog for hours after the attack. Stiff gait, disorientation, or abnormal hunger or thirst are also common during this time.
Cause of Epilepsy in Dogs
The underlying causes of epilepsy in dogs can be divided into three types.
Idiopathic epilepsy is an epileptic disorder for which no cause can be found. This means: the dog is – apart from the seizures – healthy. The behavior between the seizures is unremarkable, the patient shows no clinical symptoms. The brain does not show any changes either. According to the current state of science, this form of epilepsy is probably genetic.
Symptomatic epilepsy, on the other hand, is caused by a brain disorder. A brain tumor, head trauma, cerebral hemorrhage, or meningitis could trigger recurring seizures. Indication of this form of epilepsy is neurological deficits between the seizures.
The last group, metabolic epilepsy, is due to metabolic (organic) diseases. In this case, for example, impaired liver function, changes in blood values or hypoglycemia trigger the seizures.
Diagnosis
If one or more of the symptoms described above can be observed in the dog, it is important to consult a veterinarian immediately. Records of the observed changes can be very helpful in the diagnosis. It is very unlikely that the dog will suffer such a seizure during the visit to the vet. One possibility would be e.g. to log the seizures in a “diary” or record them on video. The following is particularly important for the veterinarian:
When (date/time) did the seizure occur? How long does it take? What symptoms did you experience during and after the seizure?
To rule out symptomatic and metabolic epilepsies, the veterinarian will conduct a detailed test of behavior, spatial awareness, gait, or neurological function of the limbs. Other examinations such as a blood test or CT or MRI scans can also be part of determining the cause.
Therapy
Treatment for epilepsy depends on the cause. In the case of symptomatic or metabolic epilepsy, the therapy depends on the disease – for example, inflammation in the brain can be treated with antibiotics, or tumors with radiation or chemotherapy. Low blood sugar or bad blood values can be counteracted with the appropriate medication.
Since idiomatic epilepsy cannot be cured, treatment attempts to alleviate the symptoms through drug therapy. The appropriate medication and how it is dosed depends on the duration, frequency, and intensity of the seizures. In addition to administering medication, the dog owner should continue to log seizures. With optimal drug treatment, the dog can live a largely symptom-free life. The lifespan is usually not affected either – the dog can get just as old as its peers.