Can dogs get epilepsy?
Everything seems fine, and suddenly your four-legged friend falls to the ground and twitches all over. Such a scenario understandably triggers fear and concern. Was that an epileptic seizure? Is there epilepsy in dogs? Our Pets Deli veterinarian Rebecca explains everything important about epilepsy in dogs.
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders in small animals. According to studies, between 0.6% - 2.6% of dogs presented at a veterinary clinic are affected.
Epileptic seizures are the result of a sudden excessive activity of nerve cells in the cerebral cortex, which subsequently leads to convulsions. However, not every epileptic seizure is equivalent to epilepsy, so it is important to differentiate here.
Epilepsy is diagnosed when two or more epileptic seizures occur without a specific trigger and with a time interval of at least 24 hours.
How do you recognize an epileptic seizure?
In a classic epileptic seizure, the dogs lose consciousness, they fall into a lateral position and twitch all over. Paddling movements and extension spasms are typical during a seizure. Dogs often also lose feces and urine or salivate excessively. The seizures often last only a few seconds, sometimes longer, and usually stop on their own.
More dangerous seizures
A single seizure is usually not life-threatening, but it becomes particularly dangerous if a seizure lasts longer than 10 minutes or if the seizures occur so rapidly in succession that the furry friend does not regain consciousness in between. This is referred to as *status epilepticus, which is a life-threatening condition. For the owners of the dogs, it is minutes of terror when their beloved suddenly twitches all over. Even if the seizure lasts only a few seconds, you should definitely seek veterinary advice* promptly.
Smaller or focal seizures
However, there are not only classic epileptic seizures where the whole body twitches, but also focal seizures, where only a specific part of the cerebral cortex is affected. The dogs are usually conscious during these. Focal twitches often occur in the face or limbs or manifest as jerky head movements. Increased salivation or air chewing can also be a sign of a small epileptic seizure. This type of seizure is often harder to recognize. A focal seizure can also develop into a generalized seizure.
Early signs
Your veterinarian will likely ask you if your pet behaved differently before the seizure. Often, dogs show some behavioral changes before a seizure. They are often restless, lick their lips, salivate more, withdraw, or suddenly seek more closeness to people.
After a seizure, most furry friends are exhausted and still somewhat dazed. Neurological deficits such as disorientation, a wobbly gait, or wandering can also occur hours after the seizure.
What causes are there?
There are various causes of epilepsy in four-legged friends, and one can generally distinguish between reactive seizures and "true" epilepsy.
Causes of reactive seizures
In these seizures, a healthy brain reacts to metabolic disturbances in the body, and they are therefore not referred to as epilepsy.
These metabolic disturbances can be caused either by external influences or internal changes in metabolism.
External influences are classically poisonings. There are many toxic substances that can cause neurological symptoms. These do not always have to be obviously toxic things like →poisoned bait. Even things that are a great pleasure for many of us, such as chocolate, can lead to →poisoning symptoms in dogs.
Internal changes include, for example, →liver diseases or severe kidney diseases. Severe hypoglycemia or shifts in electrolyte balance can also lead to reactive epileptic seizures.
Causes of epilepsy
Here, a distinction is made between structural and idiopathic epilepsy. Structural epilepsy is caused by diseases of the nervous system that trigger the seizures. These can include a brain tumor, skull trauma, brain hemorrhages, or inflammation of the brain or its membranes.
Idiopathic epilepsy is the most common type of epilepsy and means that no cause can be found. The first seizure usually occurs between the first and fifth year of life, and genetics plays a significant role. In some breeds, a genetic predisposition has been proven or is suspected. These include, among others, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Border Collie, Belgian Shepherd, and Labrador Retriever.
How can a secure diagnosis be made?
As you have already learned, there are various causes for epileptic seizures as well as epilepsy, and often no cause is found. Therefore, diagnosing is somewhat like a puzzle.
It consists of the history (age, breed, etc.), a clinical as well as a specifically neurological examination. Depending on the results of these examinations, your veterinarian will likely suggest further diagnostics. This includes a blood test and, in many cases, imaging procedures such as MRI or CT, which can show structural brain changes. The cerebrospinal fluid can also be examined for inflammation and pathogens.
Depending on the results of all these examinations, a diagnosis will then be made for your pet. It can be frustrating for you if no cause is found and your furry friend is then diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy. At the same time, this also means that there are no structural changes in your four-legged friend's brain, which is also a positive thing.
How can epilepsy be treated?
If your pet is diagnosed with epilepsy, it is, of course, a big shock at first. If it is idiopathic epilepsy, this usually requires lifelong therapy with so-called antiepileptics, which you administer to your furry friend in the form of tablets. Our tasty →pâtés with poultry or liver flavor are ideal for hiding tablets.
There are now a number of medications that are effective, such as phenobarbital or levetiracetam. Your veterinarian will choose the right treatment for your four-legged friend. It often takes some time to establish the correct drug level, and you will have to expect several follow-up and blood tests.
Even with well-adjusted treatment, only about ⅓ of dogs achieve complete freedom from seizures, and about ⅓ of affected dogs respond poorly to antiepileptics.
Can dogs with epilepsy live well?
A dog with epilepsy certainly presents a significant challenge, but if the furry friends are well-adjusted with medication, they can still have a normal life expectancy. Your beloved may not be completely seizure-free, but you can reduce the number of seizures with medication and improve the quality of life for your four-legged friend and also for yourself. It is very helpful if you keep a seizure diary and document exactly when and how often seizures occur and how long they last. This can help your veterinarian adjust the therapy and medications.
If a disease has been diagnosed as the cause of the epilepsy in your pet, treating the underlying condition is also important. Inflammation can, for example, be treated with antibiotics. In some cases of tumors, there may be the option for surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.
Can I prevent epilepsy?
As you have already learned, a genetic predisposition has been confirmed or is suspected in some breeds. If your pet comes from a breeding, you should definitely pay attention to the seriousness of the breeders and inquire about possible diseases in the parent animals and their ancestors. However, epilepsy can also occur in all other breeds and mixed breeds. Therefore, avoiding breeds with genetic predisposition does not guarantee that your beloved will not develop epilepsy. There are no specific preventive measures.
Epilepsy is a challenging condition for you and your four-legged friend. Even if you cannot get your furry friend completely seizure-free, perseverance is required. Enjoy the time with your four-legged friend and cherish every seizure-free day.
