Seizures in dogs occur when the neurons in the brain begin to fire rapidly and cause the functions of the body to change. Epilepsy is a medical term that is used to describe any brain disorder that causes seizures. Seizures can occur in otherwise healthy dogs, or, in direct relation to a disease or toxin.
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Idiopathic Epilepsy
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Idiopathic epilepsy is used to describe seizure activity when no underlying cause can be determined. This type of epilepsy is often referred to as congenital or hereditary epilepsy. Although idiopathic epilepsy can occur in any pure or mixed-breed dog, there are several purebred breeds that are prone to develop the disease. These include, but are not limited to, Beagles, Golden Retrievers and German Shepherd dogs. Signs of idiopathic epilepsy will usually begin around 18 months of age.
Secondary Epilepsy
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Secondary epilepsy is used to describe seizure activity that is caused by disease or toxins, which may include, but are not limited to, liver or kidney failure, encephalitis, lead poisoning and trauma. Seizures that occur in dogs over three will normally fall into this category.
Types of Seizures
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Seizures are classified by the length, intensity, duration and location affected.
Grand-mal seizures involve the muscles of the body. Dogs experiencing a grand-mal seizure will fall to the ground and begin thrashing their legs and head violently; they will begin foaming at the mouth and gnashing their teeth and often urinate and/or defecate. They may be conscious but are unaware of their surroundings. The seizure may last from a few seconds to several minutes.
Cluster seizures are a series of grand-mal seizures within a short period of time. Your dog may have periods of normal consciousness between seizures.
Status epilepticus are grand-mal seizures that occur repeatedly with no return to normal consciousness, or seizures lasting more than 30 minutes.
Petit-mal are small seizures, which may go unnoticed. They may include a few seconds of unconsciousness, muscle weakness and rolling of the eyes. These seizures are of short duration with no lasting effects.
Partial seizures usually occur in just one part of the body, such as a shaking leg, a facial twitch, or jerking their body or head to one side. Partial seizures are usually seen in secondary epilepsy.
Complex partial seizures are characterized as unusual repetitive behavior such as hysterical running, biting at the air or unusual aggression. These seizures can last from a few minutes to several hours and are also usually seen in secondary epilepsy.
Signs and Stages of Epilepsy
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There are three phases that occur during an epileptic seizure; the symptoms vary with each phase.
Pre-ictal is the period before the start of the actual seizure. Your dog may suddenly appear disoriented or nervous, or he may become "clingy"; he may whine and begin biting and snapping at the air or begin chewing on parts of his body. This period can begin several hours before the actual seizure. However, many times the seizure will begin with no warning.
Ictal is the actual seizure stage and will vary depending on the type of seizure that your dog is experiencing. They may experience the thrashing of a grand-mal, or the unusual behavior of a complex partial seizure. Most seizures last a few seconds to a few minutes. In the case of status epilepticus or cluster seizures, veterinary attention is needed immediately.
Post ictal is the stage following the seizure activity. Depending on the type of seizure, the signs of the post ictal stage will vary. In grand-mal and cluster seizures, the dog will be disoriented, will startle easily, and may appear blind; he will slowly return to a normal state of consciousness. Dogs that experience petit-mal and partial seizures may not show any post-ictal signs.
Warning
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Cluster seizures and status epilepticus can be extremely dangerous and may lead to permanent brain damage if the seizures are not stopped; seek veterinary attention.
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