Seizures
What are Seizures?
Seizures are sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain that can lead to changes in behavior, movement, and consciousness. They can happen for a variety of reasons, with some animals having recurrent episodes due to an underlying condition.
Who Can Be Affected?
Seizures can affect any pet, including cats, but certain dog breeds are genetically predisposed to epilepsy. Breeds at higher risk include:
Beagle
German Shepherd
Irish Setter
Poodle
Saint Bernard
Springer Spaniel
Malamute
Siberian Husky
Cocker Spaniel
Collie
Dachshund
Golden Retriever
Causes of Seizures
Seizures in pets can be caused by several factors, including:
Idiopathic Epilepsy: The most common cause of seizures in young to middle-aged dogs (1-5 years old) is idiopathic epilepsy, where the brain’s ion pumps function abnormally, leading to seizures. This condition is genetic and often results in recurrent seizures without a known underlying cause.
Older Pets: In pets older than 5 years or in cats, seizures are less likely to be caused by idiopathic epilepsy. In these cases, other causes should be considered, such as:
Tumors
Stroke
Brain injury
Young Pets: Seizures in younger pets (less than 1 year old) are often related to:
Metabolic disorders
Infectious diseases
Inflammatory diseases
Malformations of the brain
Pets with seizures caused by underlying diseases often display behavioral abnormalities such as house soiling, stumbling, circling, or appearing withdrawn.
Clinical Signs
Pets experiencing seizures may show the following symptoms:
Sudden shaking or twitching
Loss of coordination
Staring episodes or collapse
Abnormal behaviors like circling or vocalizing
Post-seizure signs such as disorientation or lethargy
Seizure appearance:
While many people associate seizures with the dramatic convulsions of a grand mal seizure, they can often appear more subtle. Regardless of the presentation, all seizures consist of three distinct phases.
Pre-Ictus (before the seizure):
Lasts a few minutes.
Signs include clinginess, staring off into space, hiding, acting anxious or scared, and vomiting.
This stage can be subtle and often missed.
Ictus (during the seizure):
Lasts 30-120 seconds
Often occurs during sleep, but can happen any time.
Symptoms include jaw chomping, increased salivation, dilated pupils, stiffness in all four limbs, head arched back, rhythmic limb paddling, non-responsiveness, and possible urination or defecation.
May be subtle and consist of only stiffening/ mild twitching or more.
Post-Ictus (after the seizure):
Lasts 5 minutes to several hours.
Signs include becoming aware and responsive to noise, trying to get up, pacing, bumping into things, and increased hunger or thirst.
Diagnosis
The diagnostic process for seizures begins with a thorough history and neurologic examination. It’s important to distinguish seizures from other conditions that can mimic them, such as:
Vestibular episodes
Metabolic diseases
Neuromuscular diseases
REM behavior disorder
High intracranial pressure
An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a key test to differentiate seizures from seizure-like episodes. Additionally, blood tests, MRI scans, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis may be recommended to identify the underlying cause of seizures. BVNS offers these diagnostic tests, including onsite MRI and spinal fluid analysis, to guide the appropriate treatment plan.
Treatment: Basic Process
Seizures can be controlled with medication, though finding the right treatment may require time and adjustment. Treatment involves:
Medication: Anti-seizure medications are commonly prescribed to help manage and reduce the frequency of seizures. Medication selection may vary based on the underlying cause and response to treatment.
Monitoring and follow-up: Regular check-ups are important to assess the effectiveness of the treatment and make adjustments if necessary.
Identifying underlying causes: In cases where the seizures are secondary to another condition (like a brain tumor or metabolic disease), addressing the root cause is essential to improve seizure control and overall health.
What Can You Do at Home?
While veterinary care is essential for diagnosing and treating seizures, you can help manage the condition at home by:
Keeping track of seizures: Record the frequency, duration, and behavior surrounding each seizure to provide your vet with useful information for adjusting treatment.
Ensuring safety during seizures: Keep your pet safe during a seizure by removing nearby hazards, but avoid trying to restrain them.
Priority / Urgency / Emergency
EMERGENCY
Seizures that last more than 5 minutes or occur in clusters (multiple seizures in a short time, typically more than 3 seizures in a 24hour period) are considered a medical emergency. Immediate veterinary care is needed to prevent further complications, such as brain damage. If your pet is having recurring seizures, prompt treatment can significantly improve their quality of life.
Be aware that if your dog only had a single seizure, which was very short, and has recovered fully, this situation is an urgency and does not require immediate emergency care.
Prognosis
With appropriate treatment and ongoing management, many pets with seizures can lead relatively normal lives. However, seizures can become more frequent or severe if left untreated or if an underlying condition is not addressed. The prognosis depends on the cause of the seizures and how well the condition responds to treatment.
