- Common Disease Name:
- Seizures
- Medical Term for Disease:
- Epilepsy: Idiopathic, Genetic, or Primary. A primary brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizures when the brain is structurally normal but not functionally normal.
- Species Affected by Disease:
- Dogs
Age Animal Usually Affected:- Most seizures start at 6 months to 5 years with a prevalence between 6 months and 3 years of age.
- Commonly Affected Breeds:
- Any; more common in the Beagle, Belgian Tervuren, Border Collie, Boxer, Cocker Spaniel, Collie, Dachshund, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Irish Setter, Keeshond, Labrador Retriever, Poodle, Saint Bernard, Shetland Sheepdog, Siberian Husky, Springer Spaniel, Welsh Corgi, Wirehaired Fox Terrier.
- Sex Usually Affected:
- Male
- Disease Symptoms:
- Most seizures occur while the animal is resting or asleep and most seizures occur at night or early morning. The dog becomes stiff, chomping his jaw, with profuse salivation, urinating, defecating, vocalizing or crying, and paddling with all four limbs. After the seizure, the dog will have a periods of confusion and disorientation, he may pace aimlessly, compulsively, and blindly. Frequently, excessive drinking or eating may occur. Recovery may be immediate or take up to 24 hours. Seizure frequency tends to increase with time if the animal is left untreated. Dogs with established epilepsy can seize at regular intervals of 1-4 weeks, especially the large breed dogs. Often, the owner will not actually see the seizures, but will find signs of seizure activity such as defecation, or vomit, or small objects or furniture being knocked over or moved.
- Method(s) of Diagnosis:
- Age at onset and pattern of seizures (type and frequency) are the two most important factors to consider in diagnosis and owner observations are important in diagnosis. Most genetic/idiopathic/primary seizures start at 6 months to 5 years with a prevalence between 6 months and 3 years of age With this type of epilepsy, lab tests are often normal. Acute onset of seizures that will not stop or keep reoccurring at frequent intervals is unusual and is more likely to be a toxin or structural brain disease. If there are more than two seizures within the first week at onset, a diagnosis other than idiopathic/genetic/primary epilepsy should be sought.
- Disease Causes:
- The exact mechanism is unknown. It may biochemical or a natural, inherited tendency to have seizures. The way it is inherited is largely unknown.
- Treatment:
- Medication such as Phenobarbital or potassium bromide, given orally everyday, can reduce the frequency and severity of the seizures. There is no known cure. Dogs on chronic antiepileptic treatment should have complete blood count, serum chemistry profile, and drug level measurements performed every 6-12 months to monitor drug-related side effects.
Prognosis:- No cure, but reduction in the number and severity of seizures can be achieved through medication. The onset of the first seizure when the animal is between 6 months and 5 years usually means the younger the animal, the more severe the epilepsy. As a rule, a dog with an onset before the age of 2 has greater chance to become refractory or non-responsive to medication. The dog will have to be on medication every day for his lifetime and monitored. Owners should keep a calendar of medication and seizure activity.
- Complications:
- Seizure frequency tends to increase with time if the animal is left untreated. Dogs will not swallow their tongues during a seizure. You should not place your hands anywhere near their mouths, as you may be bitten. Just monitor your dog to make sure he does not injure himself. Seek medical help if the seizure lasts longer than 20 minutes, or if the dog experiences one seizure after another, as this could be fatal.
- Prevention:
- Do not breed dogs known to have seizures, as there is a genetic component to the disease.
- Medicines Used for Treatment of Disease:
- Phenobarbital and potassium bromide, valium for status epilepticus or severe cluster seizures.
