Few things are as scary as watching your beloved canine experience a seizure for the first time. For the owner of any pet unlucky enough for it to become chronic, the 100th time can be just as scary. In this article we'll talk a bit about seizures, what causes them, and things you can do to both limit the occurrences of seizures and help pets when they have them.
Idiopathic epilepsy is the most common cause of seizures in dogs. This is an inherited disorder, but the exact cause is not yet known. Other causes may include - but are not limited to - brain trauma or tumors, liver disease, kidney failure, and toxins. Seizures often occur at times of rapidly changing brain activity, such as during excitement (this can be happy excitement or excitement from negative stress, fear, or frustration), during feeding, or as the dog is falling asleep or waking up. Affected dogs can appear completely normal between seizures, and many function normally outside of their episodes.
As with humans, seizures do not cause any pain. Generally, they look worse than they actually are. But in some circumstances they may pose a greater risk, especially if they are prolonged. Always notify your vet if your pet has a seizure for the first time and let them know how long it lasted and if it coincided with anything of importance. Seizures can sometimes be affiliated with poisoning, so your veterinarian may want to do blood work if your pet does not have a history of episodes.
After your dog has a seizure, your veterinarian will begin by taking a thorough history, concentrating on possible exposures to poisonous materials (as mentioned above) or hallucinogenic substances, or any history of head trauma. Your veterinarian will also perform a physical examination, blood and urine tests, and sometimes refer your pet to a specialist for an electrocardiogram. These tests rule out disorders of the liver, kidneys, heart, electrolytes, and blood sugar levels.
If these tests are normal and there is no exposure to poison or recent trauma, further diagnostics may be recommended depending on the severity and frequency of the seizures. Occasional seizures (less frequently than once a month) are not as worrisome but they can become more frequent or more severe.
Depending on availability at a specialist, specialized techniques such as a CT scan or MRI may also be performed to look directly at the structure of the brain. Sampling of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF – the fluid around the brain and spinal cord), may be recommended to look for abnormalities that could contribute to diagnosis.
Treatment usually begins after a dog has:
More than one seizure per month,Â
Clusters of seizures where one seizure is immediately followed by another, or
Grand mal seizures that are severe or prolonged in duration.
The two most commonly used medications to treat seizures in dogs are phenobarbital and potassium bromide. Research into the use of several other anticonvulsants is ongoing. Newer anticonvulsants, such as zonisamide (Zonegran®) and levetiracetam (Keppra®), are also becoming extremely popular and have proven to be very dependable. Combination therapy is often used for dogs that respond poorly to standard treatments and may be recommended by your veterinarian.
Once anticonvulsant medication is started, it must be given for life. There is evidence that, if anticonvulsant medication is started and then discontinued, the dog may have a greater risk of developing more severe seizures in the future. Even normal dogs without a history of seizures or epilepsy may be induced into seizures if placed on anticonvulsant medication and then abruptly withdrawn from it. If anticonvulsant medication must be discontinued or changed for some reason, your veterinarian will give you specific instructions for doing this. For your dog's safety DO NOT stop any of these medications without the direction and supervision of your veterinarian.
Some dogs have a gene called the Multidrug Resistance Gene (MDR1) that makes them resistant to anticonvulsant medication. The main breeds that carry the MDR1 gene are:
Shetland Sheepdogs
Australian Sheepdogs
Old English Sheepdogs
English Shepherds
German Shepherds
Whippets
Silken Windhounds
Collies
Border Collies
Many breeds that are predisposed to issues resulting in seizures, such as the MDR1 gene, are health tested prior to breeding in the hopes of trying to decrease the prevalence of seizures in these pets. When shopping for a puppy from a breeder, seeking out an ethical breeder that health tests their breeding dogs is important.
Things to do:
Take notes. Having key points about the episode on paper so you don't forget the details when talking to your veterinarian can close big gaps in the mystery surrounding your pet's particular case, and go a long way toward helping your veterinarian determine the best course of treatment. I recommend having a dedicated notebook that is kept in an easy to access place in the home. If seizures are relatively frequent, take the notebook with you on trips or outings just in case. You can also note these things in your smartphone's Notes app. You'll want to note three different timestamps; the time the seizure began (if you were not witness to the beginning, simply make your best guess), the time the seizure ends (this is when the pet is becoming more aware of their surroundings and starting to look around and show more control over their movements), and the time they are behaving normally again. Also try to take note of anything that was going on just before the seizure, and at the start, in the hopes of determining your dog's triggers.
Keep the surrounding area calm, quiet, and dimly lit if possible. Minimizing noise can lower stress and help them as they come out of an episode. In the moment it can be difficult to think clearly about what needs to be done in this regard, so a few things to consider if applicable in your situation may be to mute or turn off your television, silence your cellphone, send any children out of the room, turn off any overhead lighting, secure other pets so they are not interacting with the pet having the seizure, minimize handling of the pet having the seizure, and speak in a soft muted tone if you need to communicate with anyone.
Keep the pet secured. In a perfect world, all seizures would happen in a comfortable spot on the floor so the pet isn't able to fall from a height and hurt themselves. If the seizure happens on the floor, simply monitor the pet so they don't hit anything that could cause injury. If it happens higher up, such as on a bed or sofa, use pillows or your body to block any exposed edges so the pet cannot fall off.
Keep them cool. An important consideration is temperature. During seizures the body temperature can rise. Rising temperatures can quickly negatively impact the body much in the same way a prolonged fever can, and in worst cases it can cause overheating around the brain and lead to potential brain damage. I recommend keeping a couple of ice packs ready in the freezer for just such an occasion. An ice pack can be wrapped in a thin towel, such as a kitchen towel, and placed strategically against the pet's body. Against the barrel of the chest is a great spot, as is the nape of the neck and back. Once the pet is recovering from the seizure and is alert and moving around a bit, you can offer small amounts of water. And when not having a seizure, avoiding heat whenever possible may be a good idea.
Things NOT to do:
Try to avoid the urge to coddle, pick up, or shower the pet with physical affection in an attempt to console them. This can often be very overwhelming and be counterproductive to your goal.
Do not give them large amounts of water or food directly after an episode. Some canines have a tendency to over indulge in one or both, causing further complications such as vomiting or even a repeat episode.
Do not leave the pet completely unattended. Some owners find that their pet may recover quicker and be calmer upon recovery when they are not near them. Why this is the case at times is unclear, but this can make an owner feel as though it is best to not be present at all. You need to be able to monitor the episode and keep the surrounding environment free from hazards.
Our doctors strongly recommend against unregulated alternative treatments, many of which are ineffective at best. We understand the feeling of desperation when trying to help your pet, but the risks can easily outweigh the benefits with many of these so-called treatments.
NEVER put your fingers in or near the dog's mouth while they are having a seizure.
Most dogs are able to live happy and full lives for many years after seizures begin, you may just need to adjust a few things to keep them truckin along! Remember to lean on your veterinarian during this process. After all, that's what they are here for.
Common Myths
There are a plethora of myths that persist about canine seizures, and even sometimes circulate through veterinary practices. It is important to know fact from fiction, so we're going to highlight a few of these myths!
One of the most persistent myths concerning seizures is that they can be triggered or are worsened by lunar activity. There is no conclusive scientific data to back this up, and it has been researched. One study in particular managed to find partial correlations in humans with epilepsy and the moon. Researchers noted, however, "This correlation disappeared when we controlled for the local clarity of the night sky, suggesting that it is the brightness of the night and the contribution the moon phase makes to nocturnal luminance, rather than the moon phase per se, that may influence the occurrence of epileptic seizures." If a claim relies solely on anecdotes it is likely not true, and such is the case with this claim. The thing actually at play here is likely a confusion between correlation and causation, which is common in many other aspects of like as well. After all, humans are pattern recognizing machines; so efficient, in fact, that we sometimes recognize patterns that aren't even there.
The second myth I've seen quite a bit is that a dog will swallow their tongue. They will not. This myth has resulted in a lot of injuries, as owners have gotten bitten while putting their hands or other items in the mouth of a seizing dog. DO NOT do this.
The last myth that I've heard many times about a dog that experiences seizures is that they can be "easily cured." The claim usually coincides with the claim that the veterinary industry won't cure them because they make more money from them having seizures. This isn't true by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, dogs with seizures do not generate more money for a veterinary practice, on average, than non-seizure dogs. If we could cure them all, we would.
If your dog is beginning to experience seizure activity, be sure to establish contact with a veterinarian if you haven't already. Having a current relationship with a medical care provider can be a huge help in dealing with these episodes, and in worst case scenarios can even be life saving. Here at Windsor Animal Hospital we have many patients on the spectrum of seizure activity. We work closely with owners, and in some cases neurologists, to provide the best supportive care possible.
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