A dog can experience a seizure such as epilepsy, a condition that causes humans and animals alike to suffer strokes or violent convulsions because of abnormal brain activity. Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders in dogs. Some studies estimate that 4 percent of all dogs suffer from seizures, according to the Canine Epilepsy Network's website. In some breeds, particularly large breeds, the incidence rate can be higher.
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Definition
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A seizure is not always easy to recognize, and no two look exactly alike. Dr. Thomas Graves of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine offers common signs of a canine seizure on canine-epilespy.com. Graves warns that dogs experiencing a seizure usually become suddenly agitated or nervous and might seek out their owner for reassurance before they start trembling, sometimes violently. As the trembling worsens, the dogs often stop responding to their owners. Usually, the trembling becomes more severe until the dog falls on his side and suffers convulsions. The dog's teeth might clench and his breathing might seem to stop. The worst phase of a seizure lasts only a few minutes, but the dog might seem to suffer lingering symptoms afterward, including temporary blindness. Seizures in their entirety can last an hour or up to two days.
Causes
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Seizures in canines are caused by a variety of factors, including primary and secondary epilepsy. Primary epilepsy occurs if a dog is simply epileptic, and secondary epilepsy occurs when another ailment, such as a brain tumor, triggers the seizure. Seizures can also be the result of physical abuse, calcium deficiencies in nursing mothers, heartworm disease and toxins. There is also strong evidence that seizures are hereditary because several breeds, such as the German shepherd, Belgian Tervuren and dachshunds, have a higher incidence of them than others.
Breeds Most Affected
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The Canine Epilepsy Project has conducted research that has proven high incidences of seizures in medium and larger breed dogs such as Australian shepherds, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, English springer spaniels and Labrador retrievers.
Treatment
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Medication is generally prescribed for dogs who have one or more seizures per month. Successful treatment depends on an owner's dedication to delivering the drug exactly as prescribed, with no changes in the dose without veterinary consultation. It is generally not possible to completely stop the seizures, but the frequency of seizures can be greatly reduced, according to the Canine Epilepsy Network. Phenobarbital and primidone are the most widely prescribed seizure drugs for dogs. If your dog suffers seizures, consult with a veterinarian on treatment options.
Alternative Treatments
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Unfortunately, drugs do not control seizures in a significant number of epileptic dogs. Each time a dog suffers a seizure, he risks further neurological damage or death. In cases of severe and long-lasting seizures, a veterinarian or an emergency clinic can treat epileptic dogs through an intravenous or rectal diazepam. Sometimes a constant intravenous drip of diazepam or barbiturates is required. Alternative and experimental treatments such as herbal products, acupuncture and surgery can also be considered. Euthanasia should be the last option dog owners consider.
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