Treatment for Simple Focal Epilepsy in Dogs

Epilepsy is a fairly common problem in dogs. According to the Canine Epilepsy Network, it is a genetic disorder but can also be caused by environmental toxins and brain tumors. Epilepsy of all types has a straightforward, consistent treatment plan.

  1. The Facts

    • Epilepsy originates in a dog's brain, when neurons begin misfiring and signaling for incorrect or exaggerated movements in a dog's body. Focal epilepsy is a specific type of disorder that affects only a specific part of the brain, according to the Canine Epilepsy Network; focal seizures are only partial seizures and rarely lead to a dog losing consciousness.

    Stages of a Seizure

    • All seizures advance in the same way. They begin with an "aura," when a dog exhibits the symptoms of an oncoming focal seizure. Symptoms can include restlessness, nervousness and itching, and can last for hours. The "ictus" phase is when the seizure actually occurs. In focal epilepsy, the seizure may be as localized as twitching in the dog's face. In the "postical" phase a dog continues to wander until he recovers from the seizure.

    Treatment--Medicine

    • The most common treatment for focal seizures is medication. Anticonvulsants are used to restrict a dog's movement during a seizure, thereby restricting a dog's ability to damage himself or his surroundings. Epileptic dogs are put on regular schedules of anti-seizure medication, which is maintained for the rest of its life.

    Treatments--Surgical

    • If epilepsy is caused by a brain tumor, it is possible to attempt to "cure" it by surgically removing the tumor. This treatment depends largely on the placement of the tumor and the danger to the dog's life during such an operation. In many cases, epilepsy with proper management is less dangerous to the dog than brain surgery.

    Treatment--Mangement

    • Owners are taught to manage seizures in epileptic dogs, even if the seizures are relatively mild. Owners learn to recognize the signs of a seizure coming on, make the dog as comfortable as possible and manage the dog both during the seizure and during the aftermath. Because focal seizures are generally mild, management of a dog's mental state is more important than physical restriction during the seizure; seizures are often quite upsetting for dogs and require a stable and supportive owner.