Veterinarian Race Foster of PetEducation.com notes that canine epilepsy is a term used to describe recurring seizures. Seizures occur due to unusual firing of the neurons from the cerebrum within the brain. Canine epilepsy can be a genetic or hereditary condition, but it is often idiopathic--meaning the cause is unknown.
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Symptoms
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Seizures will appear without warning and end suddenly, lasting anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. As the seizure progresses through three stages, the owner will see various changes. Before the seizure begins, the dog may display various behavioral changes such as restlessness or unusual affection. During the seizure, the dog will fall onto his side and produce various muscle spasms. There may be salivation and loss of bladder control. After the seizure, the dog may appear to be confused, disoriented or unresponsive.
Diagnosis
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The likelihood that a dog will suffer a seizure while at the veterinarian's office is small. Therefore, it is extremely important for the owner to take note of all symptoms and behaviors that the dog displays before, during and after the seizure, according to PetEducation.com. The veterinarian may run a physical exam, a neurologic exam and blood tests to check for physical deformities that may be causing the seizures. If no cause is found, it is usually deemed as idiopathic epilepsy.
Treatment
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Canine epilepsy ha no known cure. Most dogs will not receive treatment until multiple seizures have occurred. Ideally, the owner should keep track of the date, time and length of each seizure, which can be extremely beneficial to the veterinarian for developing the ideal treatment approach, according to PetEducation.com. Anti-seizure medications like phenobarbital are given daily to help control seizures. Even with medication, not all seizures can be prevented.
Other Causes of Seizures
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Not all seizures are considered to be canine epilepsy. Dogs can suffer from seizures because of certain health issues, such as diabetes. Therefore, controlling these health concerns is vital for preventing potential seizures from occurring. Furthermore, dogs may suffer from seizures because of chemicals or toxins they come into contact with or consume, such as antifreeze. Medications, certain foods such as chocolate, and infections can also cause a dog to suffer from a seizure. However, these seizures are a secondary health issue and usually do not occur once the primary health concern has been treated or resolved.
Warning
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Anti-seizure or anti-convulsant medications should not be suddenly stopped, as they can result in more severe seizures, according to PetEducation.com. Skipping a dose, whether on purpose or on accident, can also cause severe seizures.
When multiple seizures occur within 24 hours, it may be considered life threatening and require immediate veterinary care.
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