Epilepsy - neurological disorder with recurring seizures
Epilepsy - neurological disorder with recurring seizures
Important beforehand: Fidello is not a veterinarian. This page is intended to inform you and does not provide a diagnosis. If you have doubts about your dog's health, or recognise the signs described below, always contact a veterinarian. If a seizure in your dog lasts longer than a couple of minutes, if several seizures follow one another without your dog properly recovering in between, or if your dog experiences a seizure for the very first time, go to a veterinarian or veterinary clinic immediately, as this can be an emergency.
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders in dogs and means that a dog repeatedly experiences seizures, caused by sudden, brief disruptions in the brain's electrical activity. For owners, a first seizure is often frightening to witness, while most dogs with epilepsy, with the right veterinary guidance, can still live a good life for years to come.
What is epilepsy?
In epilepsy, a seizure occurs because brain cells temporarily fire electrical signals in an uncontrolled and simultaneous way. Veterinarians distinguish between idiopathic epilepsy, in which no underlying brain abnormality is found and a hereditary predisposition is suspected, and structural or symptomatic epilepsy, in which the seizures result from an identifiable cause such as a brain injury, inflammation, tumour, or metabolic problem. Idiopathic epilepsy is the most common diagnosis in dogs that experience their first seizure between roughly six months and six years of age.
Which dogs are at risk?
Idiopathic epilepsy is reported more often in a number of breeds, including the Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, Belgian Shepherd (Tervuren), and Labrador Retriever, pointing to a hereditary component. There are also differences between breeds in how severe the condition tends to be: in some breeds it usually runs a mild, manageable course, while in others, such as the Border Collie and Australian Shepherd, a more persistent form is more often seen. Epilepsy can occur in virtually any breed, including dogs without a clear breed-related predisposition, for example when another cause such as a brain injury or metabolic problem underlies the seizures. A hereditary predisposition does not mean that every dog of a susceptible breed will actually develop seizures.
Symptoms
A seizure often unfolds in phases. Beforehand, a dog may behave differently: restless, clingy, anxious, or unusually still, sometimes hours before the actual seizure starts. During the seizure itself, a dog may collapse, become stiff, paddle its legs, drool, make chewing motions, and sometimes urinate or defecate involuntarily; this typically lasts from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. Afterwards, a recovery phase often follows in which the dog may seem confused, unsteady on its feet, temporarily unable to see well, or very tired; this phase can last from minutes to several hours. Signs that require urgent attention include: a seizure lasting longer than a couple of minutes, multiple seizures following one another without the dog properly recovering in between, or a dog that does not regain proper consciousness after the seizure.
When to see a veterinarian
Always contact a veterinarian when your dog experiences a seizure for the first time, even if it seems to recover quickly. Also get in touch with a veterinarian for recurring seizures, a changing pattern in frequency or duration, or if you are unsure whether what you saw was actually an epileptic seizure. If a seizure lasts longer than a couple of minutes, if multiple seizures follow one another in quick succession, or if a dog does not properly recover between seizures, an urgent visit to the veterinarian or veterinary clinic is needed.
How is it diagnosed?
A veterinarian usually diagnoses idiopathic epilepsy based on the age at which the seizures began, the pattern of the seizures, a normal neurological examination between seizures, and by ruling out other causes through blood tests. If there is doubt, an unusual age of first onset, or an abnormal neurological examination, further tests such as brain imaging (MRI or CT) and examination of the spinal fluid may be needed to find an underlying cause. This page cannot tell you whether your dog has epilepsy; only a veterinarian can determine that after an examination.
Treatment in outline
Not every dog with a single seizure needs medication straight away; the veterinarian weighs up how often and how severe the seizures are before starting treatment. When treatment is advisable, a daily anti-epileptic medication aimed at reducing seizure frequency is usually chosen; which medication, and at what dose, is determined by the veterinarian and checked regularly with blood tests. In dogs experiencing a prolonged seizure or a cluster of seizures in quick succession, emergency treatment by a veterinarian may be needed to stop the seizure. Epilepsy cannot be cured in most dogs, but can be well managed in a proportion of them; the goal of treatment is fewer and less severe seizures, not necessarily their complete disappearance.
What you can do yourself
Stay calm during a seizure, make sure your dog cannot fall from a height or hit sharp edges, and do not touch its mouth or tongue. If possible, note the duration of the seizure and exactly what you observe; this helps the veterinarian follow the course of the condition. A seizure diary, in which you record the date, duration, and any possible trigger, gives the veterinarian useful information for treatment. Always give prescribed medication at fixed times and in consultation with the veterinarian; abruptly stopping or skipping doses can increase the risk of seizures.
Prevention and responsible breeding
Because idiopathic epilepsy has a hereditary component in a proportion of susceptible breeds, it is a responsible choice for breeders to be cautious about using parent animals with epilepsy in their offspring, or with such a history themselves, for further breeding. For dogs without a hereditary predisposition, prevention is only possible to a limited extent, because structural causes such as injury or inflammation cannot always be avoided.
Living with epilepsy
Many dogs with well-managed epilepsy can lead a normal, active life. A consistent daily routine, adequate rest, and avoiding known triggers, such as sudden stress or extreme heat in some dogs, can help reduce seizures. Regular check-ups with the veterinarian, including blood tests for dogs on medication, keep the treatment well suited to your dog.
Frequently asked questions
Is epilepsy in dogs hereditary?
In a number of breeds, a hereditary predisposition plays a role, but epilepsy can also arise from an identifiable cause without a hereditary component.
Can my dog live a normal life with epilepsy?
Yes, many dogs with epilepsy can have a good quality of life for years with the right veterinary guidance.
Is a single seizure always epilepsy?
No, epilepsy is only considered after repeated seizures; a single seizure can also have another cause and should always be assessed by a veterinarian.
Will my dog need medication for life?
That depends on the frequency and severity of the seizures and is determined by the veterinarian; not every dog with epilepsy needs medication straight away.
Conclusion
Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder in dogs, which has a hereditary basis in some breeds and an identifiable cause in other dogs. Going to the veterinarian promptly after a first seizure, carefully observing and recording seizures, and treating a seizure that does not stop on its own as an emergency make the difference between a dog running an unnecessary risk and a dog that, with the right guidance, maintains a good quality of life.
Finally
Finally: this article does not replace a visit to the veterinarian. Fidello does not provide diagnoses and does not prescribe treatments. If in doubt, or in case of persistent symptoms or acute signs, a veterinarian is always the right next step.