Epilepsy in dogs

Epilepsy in dogs is, unfortunately, quite common. This disease is associated with a sudden disruption of nerve cell function in the brain, when a certain group of neurons begins to release excessive energy. This results in an imbalance, and chaotic impulses, comparable to electrical discharges, flow through the animal's nervous system. These impulses cause seizures.

Some owners, succumbing to panic, unprofessional advice, or misguided recommendations, make the difficult decision to euthanize their pet. However, in practice, dogs with epilepsy can live long and healthy lives if the right treatment is chosen and factors that trigger seizures are eliminated. With the right approach, the frequency of seizures can be significantly reduced, and sometimes the animal remains symptom-free for years.

In most cases, properly prescribed medications can reduce the number of seizures to a minimum—for example, to just a few episodes per year. It also happens that with regular medication, a dog remains seizure-free for an extended period and feels stable.

Types and causes of the disease

First, it's worth understanding what forms of epilepsy occur in dogs and why they occur.

Primary epilepsy

It is also called true, idiopathic, or congenital. This form is believed to be inherited, although the exact mechanism of inheritance is still not fully understood. It doesn't matter whether the dog is a purebred or a common mongrel—the disease can occur in any animal, regardless of its origin or external features.

However, scientists have discovered a predisposition. For example, boxers, Bengal and German shepherds, dachshunds, hounds, Siberian huskies, St. Bernards, poodles, Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, collies, cocker spaniels, Irish setters, miniature schnauzers, and wirehaired terriers are most often affected.

This type of epilepsy typically appears in dogs between the ages of six months and five years. Even if your dog develops it during this period, it doesn't necessarily mean it's due to a genetic defect. Perhaps a predisposing factor played a role, and you simply didn't notice it.

Secondary epilepsy

Secondary epilepsy develops as a result

• emerging tumors or brain injuries,
• intoxication (including due to the activity of intestinal helminths),
• diabetes mellitus/hypoglycemia,
• previous diseases (heart, liver, as well as infectious etiology, for example, plague),
• bites of poisonous insects, snakes,
• hypocalcemia (low blood calcium levels),
• hypothyroidism (dysfunction of the thyroid gland).

Signs and symptoms

How does epilepsy manifest in dogs? Below, we'll explore the most obvious signs and symptoms of this condition. In a normal state, a dog with epilepsy shows no signs of the disease. Symptoms appear during a seizure. However, an attentive owner will notice changes in their pet's behavior, which helps them administer the necessary medications promptly.

But if we talk about the obvious signs of epilepsy in a dog, then these are:

1. Animal falls on its side.
2. Convulsions/spasms. The animal's muscles contract in the limbs (as if the dog is running somewhere) or throughout the entire body, acting as if the pet were a string.
3. A dog experiencing an epileptic seizure may have eyes that bunch up or, conversely, stare in different directions. They may sink in, or they may twitch erratically.
4. Involuntary emptying of the bladder and bowels.
5. The jaws are tightly clenched, but foamy saliva may come out of the mouth.

A dog's epileptic seizure can last from a few seconds to 15 minutes (if it lasts longer, you should immediately call a veterinarian or take your pet to the clinic immediately). Afterward, the animal may exhibit various behaviors.

• Some whiskered cats look scared, try to hide from the owner, press their ears and tail, showing with their whole appearance that they do not understand what is happening to them.
• Other animals go to sleep immediately after a seizure (you cannot wake the pet, its nervous system needs to calm down; if you wake the dog, the epileptic seizure may recur).
• Still others start eating everything they see (even inedible things, so you need to watch your pet very carefully to make sure it doesn't eat anything that could harm it, including getting it stuck in its throat).

How can you tell if your animal is about to have a seizure?

A seizure doesn't just happen. It's always preceded by certain symptoms, known as an "aura." During this, the animal develops nervousness, loss of coordination, increased salivation, and a desire to hide. It feels like the pet is out of it, as if they're having an emotional outburst. If any of these symptoms are noticed, it's essential to immediately administer the epilepsy medications prescribed by your veterinarian (if the diagnosis has been confirmed). It's important to understand that the "aura" can appear several days before the seizure, or just seconds before. It's all individual.

What should the owner do?

What should you do if your dog starts having epileptic seizures? Step-by-step instructions on how to stop them and help your pet:

1. Take the children awayThe sight is frightening; not all adults can calmly watch a dog convulse. Also, remove other pets from the room (dogs or cats can instinctively attack sick or weak animals, and a dog in a seizure is helpless).
2. Secure the area around the animalThere's no need to drag it onto a bed or sofa. Just remove anything around it that could harm the animal (fall, injure, or cut it). You can rest the pet's head on your lap or at least put your hands under its neck (the animal could hit the floor during convulsions). However, be careful. The jaws will clamp very tightly, so the animal, completely unaware of it, may bite ("to cling" tightly).
3. Place your pet on its sideTurn the head to prevent the animal from choking on vomit or saliva. Furthermore, turning the head to the side significantly reduces the risk of the dog biting its tongue during an epileptic seizure, or of it falling back, leading to suffocation. Some people try inserting a spoon into the side of the mouth to hold the tongue down. However, due to inexperience, panicked owners, or severe convulsions, this can actually result in injury to the tongue and cheeks.
4. Do not press the animal's head and neckAvoid holding your dog's head or body. This won't affect the duration of the seizure, but it could cause injury. Simply be careful not to hurt your pet.
5. AnticonvulsantsIf anticonvulsants have already been prescribed, the medication can be administered intramuscularly to stop the seizures, but the seizure usually resolves on its own and fairly quickly. If it persists, seek immediate veterinary attention.

Treating a dog for epilepsy

How do you treat a dog's epilepsy? Is it possible to stop the seizures therapeutically? First, let's start with the diagnosis.

Even if you've noticed your dog has epilepsy (the symptoms match), this doesn't mean you can prescribe treatment without consulting a veterinarian. The fact is, it's extremely rare for only one medication to be prescribed. Often, the treatment is combined in such a way that the owner must administer two or even three anticonvulsants. It's impossible to completely cure a dog with epilepsy (especially true epilepsy). You can reduce the duration or number of seizures, but the risk of them recurring will always remain. Some animals, with proper treatment, feeding, and care, may remain seizure-free for years!

Treatment only under the supervision of a specialist

Don't be upset with your veterinarian if the medications prescribed for your dog with epilepsy don't completely stop the seizures. Often, an effective medication is found through trial and error. Treatment for epileptic dogs begins with minimal doses, gradually increasing them until the desired result is achieved.

Do not prescribe or, especially, discontinue medications (incorrectly or abruptly reduce their dosage) on your own! This will only lead to more frequent and prolonged attacks.

So, trust your veterinarian. Only they know how to treat a dog with epilepsy. It's true that finding an effective treatment regimen isn't always easy, as each pet requires an individual approach. Some animals are allergic to the medication, others experience vomiting, and still others experience increased fatigue. Therefore, it's important to look not only at the resolution of seizures but also at how your pet feels the rest of the time.

Protect your home or dog's enclosure. You can't be with your pet every second. You never know when the next attack will occur. You might not be around, and your dog could get injured. Therefore, it's best to dedicate a section of the room to your pet, cordoning it off and removing furniture and dangerous objects.

In some cases, pills aren't necessary at all for a dog with epilepsy (if seizures resolve quickly on their own or are extremely rare). However, it's still best to always have the medication ready (preferably in an injection solution and a syringe for intramuscular administration and rapid seizure relief). Treating a dog with epilepsy with folk remedies is out of the question! All these old-fashioned methods are useless.

Prevention of epileptic seizures

To prevent your dog from having epileptic seizures, simply administering the medications prescribed by your veterinarian is not enough. Certain recommendations must also be followed.

• Don't stress your pet.Neither physically nor emotionally. Minimize stress. Don't force your dog to go for walks, even if he's an impulsive breed. Don't exclude contact with other animals. Epilepsy isn't a contagious disease. Other dogs won't catch it, but a sick dog will be sad without interaction with his fellow dogs (he's a pack animal, after all). Just remember that these games shouldn't be too active, so as not to overstimulate his nervous system.
• Follow a special dietYou'll have to reduce your dog's protein intake. It's impossible to completely eliminate it, as protein is a building block needed for all cells (not just muscles, as many people think). There are commercially available foods that contain proteins that are quickly broken down. This is an ideal option for those with a dog with epilepsy.
• VitaminsIt's best to give vitamin supplements. Choose those containing vitamin B6, manganese, and magnesium. These are excellent "sedatives" that reduce the risk of seizures. However, these medications are not curative! They only help reduce the risk of seizures.

Diagnostics

Detecting epilepsy in dogs is a complex and multi-step process that is carried out in several sequential stages.

1. First, the veterinarian interviews the owner and collects a comprehensive medical history. This includes the specific nature of the seizures, their duration, how the pet behaves after the seizures, and whether any close relatives of the animal have had similar health problems.
2. A thorough clinical examination is then performed. The specialist assesses reflexes, response to external stimuli, level of consciousness, and measures body temperature, blood pressure, and other important indicators of overall health.
3. Laboratory tests are a mandatory part of the examination. The dog's blood is tested with a complete blood count and biochemical analysis. If epilepsy is suspected, a comprehensive panel of tests is usually prescribed to check electrolyte levels, glucose concentration, and rule out liver pathologies. Bile acid and ammonia tests may also be performed. Thyroid hormones—thyroid-stimulating hormone and thyroxine—are also tested to rule out endocrine disorders.
4. To rule out infections that can cause seizures, PCR diagnostics are used. They can detect or rule out viral and parasitic diseases, such as canine distemper or toxoplasmosis.
5. The final stage of the examination typically involves an MRI of the brain using a contrast agent, as well as a cerebrospinal fluid analysis. These tests are necessary to rule out inflammatory processes, infections, or structural changes in the nervous system.
6. Electroencephalography is not used very often in veterinary practice because it produces a significant amount of interference when examining an awake animal. However, in some cases, this method can still identify areas of increased epileptic activity in the brain.

A comprehensive, specialized presentation on epilepsy in dogs for veterinarians:

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