What Causes Epileptic Seizures in Dogs?

Epilepsy occurs in dogs, cats, goats, pigs, people and a range of other animals. This disorder starts in the brain, but manifests itself in dramatic specific physical symptoms. Although no one understands the basis of epilepsy, the disorder seems to be genetic and to have standard underlying factors.

  1. The Facts--Epilepsy

    • According to PetEducation.com, epilepsy is a disorder of recurring seizures. An epileptic seizure starts as a chemical imbalance in the dog's brain in which neurons misfire and send too many "move" signals to muscles. These signals result in overreaction from the muscles, which seize or stop functioning, and lead to a seizure. Epilepsy falls into one of two categories--primary or idiopathic--both of which result in epileptic seizures of one sort or another.

    Pre-Seizure

    • Dogs who have seizures always experience an aura, or pre-seizure phase, before the seizure starts. During this phase, dogs pace, grow worried, restless or clingy, salivate, whine, hide, shake or just wander. An aura can be vague and easy to miss. The symptoms may last hours, but they are a good indication that a seizure's is about to occur. People who own epileptic dogs should learn to recognize an aura and prepare for the coming seizure.

    Seizure

    • During the seizure, or ictus, a dog experiences the epileptic seizure. The seizure itself will differ depending on what kind of epilepsy a dog has. Generalized seizures involve a dog's entire body. Partial seizures only involve a certain part of the body. Complex partial seizures may involve repeated behavior like eye twitching or lip smacking. An epileptic seizure generally involves seized, stiff muscles, vomiting, salivating, collapse and whining. Most seizures last only about five minutes, and are followed by a lengthy post-ictal recovery phase.