According to veterinarian Dennis O'Brien of the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, canine epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by repeated seizures. Signs and symptoms of epileptic seizures vary depending on the dog and the seizure.
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Falling
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Falling is a common sign of epileptic seizure. The dog falls on its side, becomes stiff-muscled and throws its head back from its chest.
Unconscious
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The dog is not conscious during the seizure. This symptom may be characterized by open eyes or vocal sounds, but the dog is not aware of its surroundings.
Drooling
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The dog often snaps its jaws and drools heavily. He may show signs of breathing difficulties.
Paddling
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The dog convulses, sometimes violently, and his legs show signs of running or dog paddling as if he is swimming.
Body Functions
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Typical epileptic seizure signs include involuntary urination or defecation.
Confusion
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After the epileptic seizure, symptoms such as disorientation or random running may last for minutes or a few hours until the dog returns to normal behavior.
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