Canine Ocular Seizures

There are many different reasons for a dog to display rapid eye movement, which is when the eyes seem to move back and forth, much like in a human. This is frequently symptomatic of a larger medical issue. A common cause of this movement is a seizure (this in turn happens when the brain receives too much electricity via nerve signals.) During a seizure, the eyes tremble or seem to roll back into the head. Rapid eye movement in dogs can be caused by everything from eye strain to epilepsy.

  1. Seizure-prone Breeds

    • Some breeds of dogs are seizure-prone. Breeds such as German shepherds, dachshunds, collies, beagles, golden retrievers and poodles are genetically predisposed to have seizures.

    Symptoms

    • There are many symptoms that, when observed, will allow pet owners to seek medical attention for their dogs before the seizures escalate. Dogs might start behaving oddly, displaying a change in behavior. Many dogs will appear nervous, seek out their owner, salivate excessively, or seem restless or apprehensive (behavior that is usually out of the norm.) They will then begin to shake uncontrollably, their eyes twitching or rolling back into their heads as they gnash their teeth; the dogs might also lose consciousness. They will be frequently confused or disorientated after the seizure.

    Other Causes

    • Seizures, such as those caused by epilepsy, are just the most common explanation for eye trembling in dogs. Other causes of abnormal eye behavior in dogs include: onset of blindness; cataracts; glaucoma; and eye inflammation. The rapid eye movements could also be symptoms of more serious issues, such as brain tumors. As a general rule, contact your vet immediately if your dog displays this kind of behavior.

    Causes