Epilepsy Symptoms in Dogs: Key Indicators to Watch Out

Understanding epilepsy in dogs can be challenging due to its varied forms and the numerous underlying conditions that can trigger it. Recognizing the four primary symptoms can be incredibly helpful for pet owners.

Epileptic Seizures

Epileptic seizures can manifest in various ways, all stemming from abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Dogs with generalized epilepsy may collapse, paddle, or extend their legs, and may even urinate or defecate without being aware of their surroundings.

In cases of focal epilepsy, only a small part of the dog's brain is affected. These dogs usually remain conscious of their environment and exhibit unusual movements confined to a specific body part, such as a leg that repeatedly kicks out. Epileptic seizures can last from a few seconds to several minutes.

Prodromal Phase

Before an epilepsy seizure, dogs often exhibit signs of restlessness or abnormal behavior, known as the prodromal phase. This phase typically lasts a few seconds to minutes, but the changes in behavior can be subtle, making it difficult to identify until it's too late.

Postictal Changes

After a seizure, dogs may appear confused, behave oddly, or have difficulty walking. This stage can last from minutes to hours before the dog returns to normal, unless a prolonged seizure leads to permanent neurological damage.

Epilepsy symptoms can be caused by a variety of diseases, including hypoglycemia, hypothyroidism, liver disease, kidney failure, poisoning, infections, trauma, tumors, or brain inflammation. All these possibilities need to be thoroughly investigated.

Veterinarians will conduct a comprehensive medical history, physical examination, and neurological evaluation. Blood, urine, and fecal tests are usually required, and sometimes a spinal tap or MRI or CT scan may be necessary for a definitive diagnosis.

While seizures can be frightening to witness, they often pose minimal danger to the dogs themselves. However, in extreme cases, seizures can be lifethreatening. If a dog exhibits any of the following signs, it should be taken to the nearest veterinary clinic immediately:

1. Seizures lasting longer than 5 minutes (excluding the prodromal phase and postictal period)

2. Inability to fully recover after a seizure

Remember, while epilepsy can be a daunting diagnosis, most seizures are not lifethreatening. With proper care and management, many dogs with epilepsy can live happy, fulfilling lives.