Epilepsy in Horses

Epilepsy is a brain disease that causes seizures, which are characterized by convulsions or uncontrollable trembling and shaking. Although more common in humans, the disease can afflict horses. It is important to diagnose and treat the affliction as a horse suffering from epilepsy can be a danger to itself and others.

  1. Symptoms

    • A horse having a seizure may exhibit sweating, a tightly-closed jaw, eye-rolling, spasms in its legs, loss of bladder and rectum control, and unconsciousness in addition to trembling and shaking. The horse may also fall.

    Causes

    • Epilepsy caused by head trauma or inflammation is called acquired epilepsy. There is also an inherited type of epilepsy. For example, some foals of the Arabian breed develop epilepsy in which the seizures come suddenly and increase in severity over time but which they later outgrow. Also, sometimes a mare will have epilepsy that may be associated with being in heat. A horse has idiopathic epilepsy if the cause of the seizure is unknown.

    Diagnosis

    • Veterinarians need to assess the horse's history and predisposition to seizures before a diagnosis can be made. It can be difficult to diagnose epilepsy in horses since other ailments can cause seizures and the veterinarian may not actually see the horse when it is experiencing the seizure.

    Treatment

    • Veterinarians sometimes prescribe that a horse be given phenobarbital once a day to control seizures caused by idiopathic and inherited forms of epilepsy. Diazepam is also used to control convlsions in horses.

    Considerations

    • If your horse starts to convulse, get out of its way and do not try to calm the animal. When the seizure ends, call your veterinarian.

    Warning

    • Do not ride a horse that is known to have epilepsy.