Seizures and dogs

Overview

A seizure is a sudden excessive burst of electrical activity within a dog's brain, resulting in any combination of involuntary muscle contractions, abnormal behaviors, or loss of consciousness. A seizure can last from seconds to minutes. The severity of the seizure can range between a far-away look to twitching in one part of the face to full body spasms and temporary loss of fecal and urinary control.

There are several categories of seizures:

• Generalized Seizure (Grand Mal), typically preceded by a period of altered behavior, called the aura, then the actual seizure.  The seizure varies between a series of muscle spasms and rigid body and legs, followed by a post-seizure state of disorientation and confusion.
• Petit Mal Seizure, a less severe form of seizure with some voluntary control of movement and coordination.
• Partial Seizure (Focal Motor Seizure), characterized by the seizure being limited to a particular part of the body, but might generalize to involve the whole body.
• Psychomotor Seizure, predominantly behavioral with involuntarily howling, snapping, circling, etc. May also be followed by a generalized seizure.

Although it has not been definitively proven, there is evidence that seizures have a hereditary factor involved. Dog breeds that have a higher incidence of seizures are:

• Collies
• Beagles
• Dachshunds
• Poodles (all varieties)
• Keeshonds
• Belgian Tervurens
• German Shepherd Dogs
• Saint Bernards
• Irish Setters
• Siberian Huskies
• Cocker Spaniels
• Wire-haired Fox Terriers
• Labrador Retrievers
• Golden Retrievers

Cause

There are many known causes of seizures in dogs, anything that disturbs brain functionality can trigger a seizure.  Seizures may be caused by problems within the brain (such as trauma, tumor, or infection) or by problems outside the brain (such as low blood sugar, medication, toxins, allergies, diseases, fevers). Idiopathic epilepsy is diagnosed in about three percent of dogs, making it the most common diagnosis of seizures in middle-aged dogs (between one and five years). (Idiopathic is a medical term which means from an unknown cause.)  Many seizures take place during the night and are thought to be related to the electrical activity in the brain during certain sleep cycles. 

Symptoms

Seizure patterns and severity of symptoms are unique in each dog. However, a typical seizure pattern has three stages:

1. The beginning stage, called aura or pre-ictal, with many dogs becoming nervous or agitated, restless, looking for reassurance, whining, shaking, salivating, wandering, or hiding.  Dogs will often go through the same series of behaviors before a seizure takes place, which allows their owners to know when a seizure is about to happen. 
2. The actual seizure, or ictus, with varying degrees of trembling, convulsions, increased salivation, rapid jaw snapping, loss of bladder and bowel control, and usually unaware and unresponsive to surroundings.
3. Post-ictal stage, the recovery stage after the seizure. Symptoms of confusion and disorientation may continue for a few minutes or a few days, while some dogs may sleep for a long period following a seizure.

Prevention

Diagnosing and treating the cause of the seizures is the best prevention.  Keeping your dog and others safe during a seizure is your next priority. During a seizure, stay calm, and concentrate on comforting your dog and keeping him as safe as possible. Move, if you can, anything that might hurt your dog, or place padding between your dog and the objects. If possible, place a pillow under his head to prevent head trauma but do not get your face or hands close enough to risk being bit. Stay near, stroking and comforting, and be ready to calm him when he comes out of the seizure.

Treatment

Treatment will depend on the cause of the seizure and will need to be determined by your veterinarian. Idiopathic epilepsy is most often treated with anti-convulsant medications, such as phenobarbital or potassium bromide. Seizure medications usually control the seizures but may not eliminate seizures entirely. Expect your veterinarian to do lab work on a regular basis in order to monitor drug concentrations.

You can aid your veterinarian in your dog's treatment by keeping a log of seizure activity including date, length of seizure, activity or behavior before and during the seizure, and length of time until your pet is normal.

Clusters of seizures, or seizures that occur in succession without a post-ictal period, are a medical emergency.  WIthout attempts to stop seizure activity, your pet will likely suffer brain damage and may dangerously increase his body temperature.  If your pet has a seizure that lasts more than a couple of minutes, safely bundle him up and bring him to your veterinarian or nearest emergency veterinary clinic for appropriate treatment. 

References:

Carlson, Lisa D, D.V.M., and Giffin, James M., MD. Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook. New York:  Howell Book House, 2000.

Graves, Thomas K., D.V.M. Seizures in Dogs. Reprinted from March, 1992, AKC GAZETTE, pgs 58-61. (14 February 2008).

O'Brien, Dennis, D.V.M. Understanding Your Pet's Epilepsy. (14 February 2008).