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We humans have a lot in common with dogs, such as personal preferences, social behavior and facial expressions, as well as 80 percent of our DNA. We also have many diseases in common, including epilepsy. Dogs are one of the most domesticated animals and many people have them as pets. This is why seizures in dogs are so scary. You don’t want your furry friend to suffer, but you also don’t know what that means or where to go next. Here’s more information on the different types of seizures in dogs.
1. Focal (partial) seizures
Focal or partial seizures are seizures that initially affect one part of the brain. As a result, seizures occur only on the face, limb, or one side of the body. They can be simple or complex depending on whether the dog is impaired or not. While simple partial seizures show twitching or changes in sensations such as taste or smell, complex partial seizures make the dog confused or overwhelmed and unable to respond to you.
2. Generalized convulsions (Grand Mal).
Generalized or large seizures, also called tonic-clonic seizures, affect both sides of the brain right from the start. Consequently, the whole body is affected, with twitching or twitching of all four limbs. It can also include loss of consciousness.
3. Focal seizures with secondary generalization.
Dogs have a third type of seizure, which is a combination of the previous two. Focal seizures with secondary generalization are when a dog has focal seizures that progress to grand mal seizures. It is also called focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures, meaning they start on one side and spread to both sides. This type is more difficult to diagnose if the veterinarian is not present to oversee the onset.
4. Absence of (minor) convulsions
Absence seizures are a type of generalized seizure, also called minor seizures. Like their name suggests, absences show a brief absence followed by a return to consciousness lasting only a few seconds. Dogs with minor seizures may drool, shake, shake their heads, arch their backs, or have trouble standing. Minor seizures can also indicate that the dog’s body is relaxing, staring blankly, or rolling his eyes upward. They are either rare or so insignificant that an EEG is required to diagnose them.
5. Psychomotor seizures.
Another rare type of seizure, the psychomotor seizure, involves strange body movements that do not resemble the symptoms of typical seizure behavior. They can last a couple of minutes. Your dog can chase its tail, attack an imaginary object, run in circles, or rub its paws against each other. He will have the same seizure behavior every time he has a seizure.
Most frequent attacks
Episodes of psychomotor epilepsy or epilepsy of the brain that affect motor actions are called seizures. They are also called complex partial seizures. The most common type of seizure in dogs begins with a focal seizure and then becomes a generalized seizure. It was previously thought that generalized (large or tonic-clonic) seizures were the most common because they were diagnosed after the dog had already recovered by the time the owner brought them to the veterinarian.
Symptoms of seizures in dogs
Regardless of the type of seizures your dog is experiencing, all seizures have certain symptoms. Initially, an event occurs called an aura or focal onset. During this period, the dog may appear frightened, agitated, tense, or overwhelmed for no reason. He may hide, seek help from his owner, or experience visual impairment.
This is followed by symptoms of convulsive behavior. The dog then experiences contractions of the limbs and muscles and may suddenly lose control of urination and bowel movements. He begins to fall on his side, stiffen, row on his limbs, drool, breathe heavily, make sounds, smack his jaws, or pass out. This period lasts from 30 to 90 seconds.
This is followed by a period known as postictal behavior when the dog returns to full consciousness and begins to recover. He suffers from disorientation and confusion, rhythm, aimless wandering, compulsive behavior, blindness, increased thirst (polydipsia) and / or increased appetite (polyphagia). Recovery can occur immediately or take up to 24 hours.
Causes of seizures in dogs
Status epilepticus or epilepsy is the official name for a neurological disorder that causes sudden, uncontrollable seizures and psychomotor problems in dogs. Dogs most often experience seizures while sleeping or resting, most often in the early morning or night. They are also most likely to experience seizures at a young age, as older dogs may have an underlying cause. With that said, here are the possible causes of the different types of seizures in dogs. Note that not all of these are considered epilepsy, a neurological disorder that is often permanent.
- Idiopathic seizures have no known trigger for seizure behavior. Most common in older dogs.
- Certain medications can trigger behavioral attacks, such as flea treatments, broad-spectrum antibacterials, ivermectin, and ibuprofen. Any medications that cause hypoglycemia can cause seizures.
- Toxins can cause seizures because the dog’s metabolic and digestive systems have difficulty clearing toxins. Foods such as caffeine, dark chocolate, caffeine, and xylitol are toxic to dogs. Illegal drugs, rat poison, and pesticides can also cause seizures and damage the brain. Plants that are toxic to dogs include mushrooms, brunfelsia, and sago palm. Toxins can also include killer bees.
- Brain tumors or lesions, such as Cushing’s disease, can cause violent bursts of unusual electrical activity in the brain and seizures until the tumor is removed.
- A head injury can trigger an ongoing seizure attack even after the original injury has healed.
- Genetic abnormalities from one parent pass on epilepsy to their offspring, who typically show seizures from an early age – six months to six years.
- Major problems with a dog’s blood or organs, especially common in older dogs, cause seizures. Diabetes, fatty liver, kidney and liver failure, infectious, viral, fungal or systemic disease are all possible problems.
Dog breeds most prone to epilepsy
Some dog breeds have been reported to have idiopathic epilepsy. If you are the owner of any of these breeds, you should check them out and, if diagnosed, do not breed them:
What to do for seizures in dogs
Fortunately, dogs with seizures are not necessarily doomed to a sedentary, withdrawn, or stressful lifestyle. The most common treatments are drugs such as phenobarbital, potassium or sodium bromide, diazepam, and CBD, which are easy-to-use anticonvulsants. Phenobarbital is something your veterinarian will likely prescribe first to control the frequency and severity of seizures. Potassium bromide is often used with phenobarbital to control seizures in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy.
On the other hand, prescription drugs often have side effects that can be serious. CBD thus allows seizure control by allowing dosages of standard anticonvulsants to be reduced, especially in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy.
Seizures or epilepsy is a neurological disorder most commonly seen in dogs. The different types of seizures in dogs are very similar to those that some people have. If your dog has seizures, it is important to know what typ
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they have. With the facts you know about epilepsy, you can be more confident and better prepared to care for your pet.
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