Seizures are caused by an excess amount of electrical activity in the brain. There are many reasons why this might happen but typically it is due to a medical, environmental or genetic issue. The causes of seizures in old dogs are typically the same as those in young dogs. However, older dogs are more prone to diseases such as cancer and may therefore be more prone to suffering from tumor-related seizures.
-
Epilepsy
-
Epilepsy is a general term for a condition that causes seizures. Epilepsy can be inherited or may develop after a brain injury. The onset of epilepsy can occur at any stage of a dog’s life and the severity of the condition can vary. A dog with epilepsy may experience more frequent seizures as it becomes older. Some dogs suffer from one or two small seizures in their entire life, whilst others will have regular, large seizures. In some cases the condition can be managed with anti-convulsive medication. This isn’t a cure, however; it is merely used to suppress the seizures.
Head Injury
-
Brain trauma arising from a head injury can lead to isolated seizures and in some cases a severe head injury can result in the onset of epilepsy. The severity and frequency of the seizures is typically linked to the severity of the injury and its location on the brain. Due to limited mobility and diminished eye sight, old dogs are slightly more likely to have accidents that result in head injury.
Tumors
-
Brain tumors and abnormal growths can put pressure on the brain. If the cerebral cortex is affected by the growth of a tumor it can cause seizures. As animals become older, the likelihood of them developing growths and cancerous tumors increases. A veterinarian examining a dog that has experienced seizures may consider brain tumor to be a more likely cause in older dogs than in young dogs.
Poisoning
-
Lead and zinc phosphate are two poisonous substances that, if ingested, can cause seizures. Both substances are found in rat poisons. Unfortunately, a dog is far more likely to be able to catch a rat that has been poisoned than a healthy, alert rat. This means dog owners using rat poison should be extremely careful to ensure their dog does not come in to contact with any rats.
Disease
-
There are certain diseases that cause seizures. The symptoms of canine distemper, an infectious viral disease, include seizures and vomiting. Cancer, even when not localized to the brain, can lead to seizures. Older dogs are more susceptible to viral disease and cancer.
-