Electric Shock and Epilepsy

There are two types of epilepsy found in canines: idiopathic epilepsy and secondary epilepsy. According to the Canine Epilepsy Resource Center, seizures occur when an unexpected burst of nerve signals are sent to the brain. The seizures can range from mild to severe. Most of the time, seizures are a sign of underlying neurological problems.

  1. Idiopathic Epilepsy

    • According to the University of Prince Edward Island, a dog is diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy when there is no medical reason the dog is having a seizure. Idiopathic epilepsy has been found in nearly all breeds. Dogs with this type of epilepsy typically start having seizures between the ages of 1 and 3. A seizure, before or after this age, is mostly likely caused by an underlying condition.

    Secondary Epilepsy

    • When a seizure is caused by an underlying condition, the dog is said to have secondary epilepsy, according to the Canine Epilepsy Resource Center. A veterinarian will run tests to know which type of epilepsy the dog has. The veterinarian will test the dog's glucose levels to make sure hypoglycemia is not the cause of the seizure. They will also take cerebrospinal samples to rule out diseases such as encephalitis and distemper. They also may do a CT scan or MRI to make sure cancer is not the cause.

    Four Stages

    • Each seizure goes through four stages, according to the Canine Epilepsy Resource Center. The first stage is called prodome. A mood or behavior shift may be seen in the dog hours---or even days---leading up to a seizure. As the seizure starts, it moves into the aura stage. Some signs of this stage are: whining, trembling, hiding or apprehension. When the dog reaches the meat of a seizure it is called ictus. This is where the severe reactions take place. The dog my pass out or chatter his teeth while paddling his feet uncontrollably. He may even lose control of his bodily functions.

    Treatment

    • According to the Canine Epilepsy Resource Center, the course of treatment will depend on the severity and frequency of the seizures. If a dog only has an occasional mild seizure, a vet may have the owner just keep an eye on the dog. If the seizure is caused by an underlying condition, medication to treat that condition may be prescribed. However, if there is not an underlying condition and the vet diagnoses the dog with idiopathic epilepsy, the dog will most likely be prescribed medication, such as phenobarbital, to control the seizures. Sometimes acupuncture can be used to help keep the onslaught of seizures to a minimum.

    Electric Shock

    • According to the "Dog Seizures" website, kindling is a new science still in the developmental stages. This treatment uses low-voltage electricity to certain parts of the dog's brain in hopes of lessening the effects of the seizures. Because the science is new, the effects of this procedure are not completely known yet.