Limbic Epilepsy in Dogs

Limbic epilepsy occurs in dogs and often causes seizures which appear like behavioral changes. Limbic epilepsy affects the area of the brain known as the limbic system. This area controls behavior, and dogs that suffer from this condition may show signs of aggression just before having a seizure, which may be followed by lethargy once the seizure has subsided.The signs a dog shows during a seizure, largely depends on which part of the brain is involved. If your dog has seizures, contact your veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

  1. Identification

    • Limbic epilepsy is also known as temporal lobe epilepsy and is a condition that causes primarily behavioral symptoms with seizure activity. This type of seizure affects the areas of the brain that control behavior such as alertness and aggression. Dogs that suffer from limbic epilepsy may have a sudden change in mood just before a seizure and may exhibit violent aggression for no apparent reason. According to Petplace.com, dogs that have this type of behavior due to limbic epilepsy cannot control their actions or behaviors during this time. Some dogs may continue to have aggressive posturing during the seizures which can last for several minutes or several hours. Dogs that have severe limbic epilepsy may even continue this behavior for several days after the seizure has ended.

    Symptoms

    • The symptoms associated with limbic epilepsy may include a change in mental awareness, dilated pupils, loss of consciousness, salivation, pacing and running in circles. Some dogs that are affected by limbic epilepsy may not recognize their owners during a seizure. Some signs that this has occurred is the inability to respond to their owner's commands before, during or after a seizure. Dogs that are affected by this type of epilepsy may not have the classic seizure symptoms such as rigidity, paddling of the limbs and urination. Limbic epilepsy in dogs may cause more subtle symptoms such as being in a daze or licking the floor repeatedly.

    Causes

    • While the exact cause of limbic epilepsy is unknown, some breeds have an increased risk of developing epilepsy. According to Familyvet.com, the breeds that develop epilepsy most often are beagles, keeshonds, German shepherds, St. Bernards, schnauzers, cocker spaniels, Irish setters, poodles, retrievers, Siberian huskies, shetland sheepdogs and Belgian tervurens. Other causes of limbic epilepsy in dogs may include brain tumors, liver disease and low blood sugar.

    Diagnosis

    • There is no specific test to determine if your dog has epilepsy. To diagnose epilepsy in dogs, veterinarians must rule out all other causes of seizures. In order to accomplish this, your veterinarian may perform diagnostic tests such as a CBC (complete blood count) and a chemical analysis of your dog's blood. This will determine if liver disease or blood sugar problems exist. A CT scan or MRI will show any tumors that may be present in the brain. In the absence of any other reasons for seizures, the diagnosis of epilepsy may be made. If primarily behavioral symptoms are present, limbic epilepsy is diagnosed.

    Treatment

    • The treatment for limbic epilepsy depends on the severity of the condition and how many seizures your dog is having every month. In mild cases where dogs are having only one seizure every 1 to 2 months, no treatment may be indicated. Dogs that have a higher number of seizures or regular seizures monthly may be treated with anti-convulsant medications. Many dogs receive relief from the symptoms of epilepsy with medication and lead normal lives.