How to Test a Dog for Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder made up of recurring seizures in the brain. The disorder can affect both humans and animals. Dog seizures can include episodes of involuntary muscle activity, such as falling over and kicking their legs. They usually salivate a lot and may urinate or defecate involuntarily. Dogs can lose consciousness during a seizure and may require immediate medical attention. If you think your dog may be having seizures, your veterinarian will have to begin ruling out causes. No specific test identifies epilepsy, but many tests can rule out other medical conditions that lead to seizures.

Things You'll Need

  • Veterinarian
  • Laboratory tests

Instructions

    • 1

      Keep track of the details surrounding your dog's seizures. This will help the veterinarian diagnose the condition or disorder that is leading to seizures. Observe what's going on when a seizure occurs, what the dog has been eating and any changes to the dog's environment. Record the time in between seizures and how many the dog has in one day.

    • 2

      Have your veterinarian conduct some laboratory blood tests. These tests can include a Complete Blood Count (CBC) or a blood chemistry panel. This can rule out a number of medical conditions that could contribute to the seizures. For example, blood glucose levels that are too low or high as well as low oxygen in the blood can cause seizures.

    • 3

      Try having a cerebrospinal fluid examination (CSF). This can check for abnormalities in the central nervous system.

    • 4

      Have your veterinarian conduct a bile acid test if the dog is young. Some young dogs have a medical condition called a "liver shunt," according to the Dog Seizures Guide. A liver shunt is a blood vessel that goes around the liver instead of directly through it. It can cause high levels of bile acid and commonly causes seizures.

    • 5

      Ask for a brain imaging test to be performed, such as a CT scan or MRI. This can cost up to $1,500, though, and may not be necessary. If no other medical conditions are found to be the underlying cause of the seizures, the diagnosis will be declared as idiopathic or primary epilepsy, according to Pet Education.