Convulsions In Dogs
Dr Liesel van der Merwe
Courtesy of www.petjunction.co.za : www.petshealth.co.za
Seizing The Moment … Convulsions In Dogs
If your dog suffers from seizures, also known as convulsions or fits, it certainly isn’t a condition which will go unnoticed. A seizure is a traumatic and violent thing to see, especially if it is happening to your own beloved pet. Seizures are not uncommon in dogs. They are, however, far less common in cats. The causes of seizures also differ between the two species.
What Types Of Seizures Do Dogs Have?
There are three ways in which seizures may present: These are partial seizures, generalised seizures or status epilepticus.
Partial Seizures
Also known as focal or petit mal seizures, the dog is not unconscious, but is certainly not behaving normally. These animals often display bizarre stereotypic (repetitive) behaviour. These manifestations are commonly called shadow barking, fly biting or star gazing. Dogs won’t recognise their owner during these episodes and although they may appear aggressive their behaviour is not directed at anyone.
Generalised Seizures
Generalised or grand mal seizures are more severe: the dog loses consciousness, even though the eyes are open, and collapses with the head and neck stretched out. All four legs are usually paddling and the dog will probably bark whine and make biting movements with the jaw. Affected pets often defecate and urinate as well. Although these episodes seem to last forever, most seizures last less than two minutes. Cluster seizures occur when a dog has two or more seizures a day.
Status epilepticus
If a seizure lasts for more than five minutes a serious condition called status epilepticus develops. With this condition, the dog seizures continuously and may develop severe secondary complications like brain swelling and hyperthermia.
What Is The Cause Of Seizures In Dogs?
Seizures can also be classified according to their cause. Seizures can be caused by:
1. Aactive brain disease (infectious or inflammatory),
2. Static intracranial disease (a mass or old tissue injury due to trauma)
3. Systemic disease (liver disease causing toxin accumulation, poisoning)
4. Epilepsy ( inherent brain disorder on a microscopic and chemical level)
Seizures as a result of an underlying inflammatory or systemic disease usually develop suddenly and are quite common, whereas those as a result of epilepsy usually start to occur only intermittently, but may increase in frequency over time. Animals which have encephalitis (inflammation of the brain ) or meningitis ( inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) and masses in side the brain, often display other neurological abnormalities besides seizuring. These may include a head tilted to one side, loss of balance, behavioural changes and paralysis or inflammation of some of the nerves supplying the face. These animals obviously need specific treatment to treat the cause of their seizures. Therapy to control the seizures may also be required.
Malicious poisoning by substances containing organophosphates and carbamates is unfortunately a common cause of seizuring in dogs. Symptoms include a sudden onset of muscle twitching, salivation, diarrhoea, difficulty in breathing and seizures. This is an emergency situation and the animal needs to get to a vet immediately so that an antidote can be administered. Patients presenting with no neurological or systemic abnormalities besides the odd seizure every couple of weeks may be diagnosed with epilepsy. Although animals do get epilepsy, as do humans, the veterinary profession has far fewer forms classified.
Are Specific Breeds Predisposed To Epilepsy?
Yes. Purebred dogs between 6 months and 5 years of age are commonly victims, although any breed or cross breed may be affected. Breeds that are genetically predisposed include Retrievers, German and Belgian Shepherds, Beagles, Poodles and Siberian Huskiess. Between episodes, the dog is in good health and is totally normal.
What Are The Seizure Lengths And Intervals?
The seizures usually occur intermittently (every 4 - 6 weeks) and the dog may have more than 1 at a time. The seizure is usually a generalised seizure. The dog often shows an “aura” – this is a period prior to the seizure when the dog is aware of some impending event and exhibits nervous behaviour during which they seek out their owners, or hide. When examined by a veterinarian, these dogs show no neurological abnormalities between their seizure episodes. Although epilepsy is a diagnosis by exclusion, the veterinarian will often base his or her treatment upon a high index of suspicion.
What Can I Expect When I Take My Dog To My Vet?
Diagnosis isn’t easy, as the brain is hidden away behind the bony skull, The vet will start by obtaining a thorough history, taking into account the patient’s age and breed. A physical and neurological examination will help your vet determine if it is a secondary problem originating from the body or if the problem is in the brain. If a systemic disease is suspected, various blood tests will be requested, as will an abdominal sonar (for evaluating the liver). If the vet suspects neurological involvement, a procedure similar to the “lumbar puncture” done on humans, is called for. It is a relatively simple but sensitive procedure and the dog will require a general anaesthesia. If a tumour, swelling of the brain or hydrocephalus is suspected, an MRI, or brain scan, will be performed under general anaesthesia. (Many human hospitals kindly allow the use of their staff and facilities outside normal operating hours.)
What Does Treatment Involve?
In many situations the symptoms of seizures related to systemic causes can be treated for a while even though the cause is not addressed, this is known as palliative therapy. Epileptic dogs are treated with anti-epileptic medicines. The aim of medication is to control the disease with minimal size effects. The goal of therapy is usually to decrease the number of seizures by about 50%. Epilepsy cannot be cured. It can only be controlled. Most dogs are relatively easily managed with medication and still have a good quality of life. Certain precautions do have to be taken, however. For example these animals cannot be left unsupervised near the swimming pool as they may fall in and drown if they have a seizure. Also be aware that other dogs on the property may attack the dog which is seizuring. This is a normal response to what is seen as severely aberrant behaviour.
What Must I Do When My Dog Is Having A Fit?
Do NOT put your hands anywhere near his mouth. While dogs don’t “swallow their tongues”, they may bite them. You could get badly bitten if you try to open the dog’s mouth. Move any objects into which they may bump out of they way. Stand clear and wait for the seizure to stop. Afterwards, help your dog recover by keeping him in a quiet, darkened area. If the patient seizures for an extended period get him to a vet as soon as possible. If there is a delay, keep the dog cool. The constant muscle contractions or twitching generate heat and can increase the body temperature to dangerous level. Ice packs over the jugular veins in the neck and in the groin will help cool the dog down as well as a fan and soaking in cold water.
Can A Seizure Be Confused With Something Else?
Yes. It could be:
· Fainting due to heart disease
· Severe muscle spasms due to pinched nerves in the spine
· A behavioural disorder, which presents with symptoms like tail chasing and self mutilation.
What About Cats?
Epilepsy is much less common in cats. Seizures are usually caused by a disease process occurring within the brain, systemic infections spreading to the brain or liver disease in very young cats. The treatment of cats is the same as that of dogs.
If your dog suffers from seizures, also known as convulsions or fits, it certainly isn’t a condition which will go unnoticed. A seizure is a traumatic and violent thing to see, especially if it is happening to your own beloved pet. Seizures are not uncommon in dogs. They are, however, far less common in cats. The causes of seizures also differ between the two species.
What Types Of Seizures Do Dogs Have?
There are three ways in which seizures may present: These are partial seizures, generalised seizures or status epilepticus.
Partial Seizures
Also known as focal or petit mal seizures, the dog is not unconscious, but is certainly not behaving normally. These animals often display bizarre stereotypic (repetitive) behaviour. These manifestations are commonly called shadow barking, fly biting or star gazing. Dogs won’t recognise their owner during these episodes and although they may appear aggressive their behaviour is not directed at anyone.
Generalised Seizures
Generalised or grand mal seizures are more severe: the dog loses consciousness, even though the eyes are open, and collapses with the head and neck stretched out. All four legs are usually paddling and the dog will probably bark whine and make biting movements with the jaw. Affected pets often defecate and urinate as well. Although these episodes seem to last forever, most seizures last less than two minutes. Cluster seizures occur when a dog has two or more seizures a day.
Status epilepticus
If a seizure lasts for more than five minutes a serious condition called status epilepticus develops. With this condition, the dog seizures continuously and may develop severe secondary complications like brain swelling and hyperthermia.
What Is The Cause Of Seizures In Dogs?
Seizures can also be classified according to their cause. Seizures can be caused by:
1. Aactive brain disease (infectious or inflammatory),
2. Static intracranial disease (a mass or old tissue injury due to trauma)
3. Systemic disease (liver disease causing toxin accumulation, poisoning)
4. Epilepsy ( inherent brain disorder on a microscopic and chemical level)
Seizures as a result of an underlying inflammatory or systemic disease usually develop suddenly and are quite common, whereas those as a result of epilepsy usually start to occur only intermittently, but may increase in frequency over time. Animals which have encephalitis (inflammation of the brain ) or meningitis ( inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) and masses in side the brain, often display other neurological abnormalities besides seizuring. These may include a head tilted to one side, loss of balance, behavioural changes and paralysis or inflammation of some of the nerves supplying the face. These animals obviously need specific treatment to treat the cause of their seizures. Therapy to control the seizures may also be required.
Malicious poisoning by substances containing organophosphates and carbamates is unfortunately a common cause of seizuring in dogs. Symptoms include a sudden onset of muscle twitching, salivation, diarrhoea, difficulty in breathing and seizures. This is an emergency situation and the animal needs to get to a vet immediately so that an antidote can be administered. Patients presenting with no neurological or systemic abnormalities besides the odd seizure every couple of weeks may be diagnosed with epilepsy. Although animals do get epilepsy, as do humans, the veterinary profession has far fewer forms classified.
Are Specific Breeds Predisposed To Epilepsy?
Yes. Purebred dogs between 6 months and 5 years of age are commonly victims, although any breed or cross breed may be affected. Breeds that are genetically predisposed include Retrievers, German and Belgian Shepherds, Beagles, Poodles and Siberian Huskiess. Between episodes, the dog is in good health and is totally normal.
What Are The Seizure Lengths And Intervals?
The seizures usually occur intermittently (every 4 - 6 weeks) and the dog may have more than 1 at a time. The seizure is usually a generalised seizure. The dog often shows an “aura” – this is a period prior to the seizure when the dog is aware of some impending event and exhibits nervous behaviour during which they seek out their owners, or hide. When examined by a veterinarian, these dogs show no neurological abnormalities between their seizure episodes. Although epilepsy is a diagnosis by exclusion, the veterinarian will often base his or her treatment upon a high index of suspicion.
What Can I Expect When I Take My Dog To My Vet?
Diagnosis isn’t easy, as the brain is hidden away behind the bony skull, The vet will start by obtaining a thorough history, taking into account the patient’s age and breed. A physical and neurological examination will help your vet determine if it is a secondary problem originating from the body or if the problem is in the brain. If a systemic disease is suspected, various blood tests will be requested, as will an abdominal sonar (for evaluating the liver). If the vet suspects neurological involvement, a procedure similar to the “lumbar puncture” done on humans, is called for. It is a relatively simple but sensitive procedure and the dog will require a general anaesthesia. If a tumour, swelling of the brain or hydrocephalus is suspected, an MRI, or brain scan, will be performed under general anaesthesia. (Many human hospitals kindly allow the use of their staff and facilities outside normal operating hours.)
What Does Treatment Involve?
In many situations the symptoms of seizures related to systemic causes can be treated for a while even though the cause is not addressed, this is known as palliative therapy. Epileptic dogs are treated with anti-epileptic medicines. The aim of medication is to control the disease with minimal size effects. The goal of therapy is usually to decrease the number of seizures by about 50%. Epilepsy cannot be cured. It can only be controlled. Most dogs are relatively easily managed with medication and still have a good quality of life. Certain precautions do have to be taken, however. For example these animals cannot be left unsupervised near the swimming pool as they may fall in and drown if they have a seizure. Also be aware that other dogs on the property may attack the dog which is seizuring. This is a normal response to what is seen as severely aberrant behaviour.
What Must I Do When My Dog Is Having A Fit?
Do NOT put your hands anywhere near his mouth. While dogs don’t “swallow their tongues”, they may bite them. You could get badly bitten if you try to open the dog’s mouth. Move any objects into which they may bump out of they way. Stand clear and wait for the seizure to stop. Afterwards, help your dog recover by keeping him in a quiet, darkened area. If the patient seizures for an extended period get him to a vet as soon as possible. If there is a delay, keep the dog cool. The constant muscle contractions or twitching generate heat and can increase the body temperature to dangerous level. Ice packs over the jugular veins in the neck and in the groin will help cool the dog down as well as a fan and soaking in cold water.
Can A Seizure Be Confused With Something Else?
Yes. It could be:
· Fainting due to heart disease
· Severe muscle spasms due to pinched nerves in the spine
· A behavioural disorder, which presents with symptoms like tail chasing and self mutilation.
What About Cats?
Epilepsy is much less common in cats. Seizures are usually caused by a disease process occurring within the brain, systemic infections spreading to the brain or liver disease in very young cats. The treatment of cats is the same as that of dogs.
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