About Your Pet: Epileptic seizures are common in dogs

Published in the Home News Tribune 12/15/03
(Note: With all medical issues, always consult your veterinarian)

Q. My pet beagle suffers from epileptic seizures. When he has one he
seems to be awake but I can't get him to recognize me. Is he in any
pain during a seizure?

A. Epilepsy is a relatively common condition in dogs. It occurs less
commonly in cats. Epilepsy is a sudden discharge of excessive
electrical impulses in the brain resulting in a seizure or
convulsion. The cause of this electrical discharge is unknown
(idiopathic) but in many cases it has a hereditary component.
Epilepsy is usually first seen in dogs between 2 and 4 years of age.
Almost all breeds of dogs, including mixed breeds have been affected.
German shepherds, beagles, and cocker spaniels are known to have a
hereditary predisposition to this condition. Epileptic seizures
seldom last more than five minutes, but to an unprepared owner they
are can be extremely upsetting and seem to last much longer. Most
seizures occur in three distinct phases.

The first phase is called the Aura and is the period before the
seizure during which the affected animal seems overly anxious. It may
shun or demand attention and seem confused. This phase usually lasts
less than one minute.

The second phase is the actual seizure. Each attack may be different
and can range from mild muscle spasms to severe convulsions. Although
your pet may cry and it may seem painful, they are usually
unconscious at this point and do not feel anything. Do not try to
console your pet by holding him. They are unaware of what you are
trying to do and may unintentionally hurt you. You can be most
helpful by making sure that they cannot hurt themselves while
convulsing by blocking stairwells, moving chairs, lamps, etc.

The third phase occurs immediately after the seizure and is
characterized by confusion, weakness and panting. This is the post-
ictal phase. The severity and duration of this phase depends on the
severity of the actual convulsion. Temporary blindness and total
exhaustion may follow a severe seizure episode.

Status Epilepticus is a continuous seizure that demands immediate
veterinary attention. If a seizure lasts for more than five minutes
or if your pet has a seizure followed immediately by another one,
contact your veterinarian right away.

Treatment for epilepsy does not cure the disease. Instead, treatment
controls the frequency and severity of seizures. Most dogs will come
under control with standard doses of Phenobarbital alone or
additional medications may be prescribed by your veterinarian. The
level of these drugs in the bloodstream can be tested by your
veterinarian for optimal control at a therapeutic range.

Unfortunately, even under the best of care, a few dogs are impossible
to adequately control. These cases may be normal for long periods of
time and then suffer from cluster seizures (a great number of
seizures in a short time period). These patients require 24-hour
hospitalization and close monitoring.

This column addresses new developments in animal care as well as
issues that New Jersey veterinarians encounter in their practices.
The information is prepared as a public service by the New Jersey
Veterinary Medical Association. For more information, visit
www.njvma.org. Questions may be submitted to All Things Animal, 66
Morris Ave., Suite 2A, Springfield, NJ 07081.

Posted on SHARE Yahoo group Dec 19, 2003