Help! My dog has an epileptic seizure!

 

What does epilepsy look like in dogs?

In epilepsy, the dog temporarily has no control over some of its bodily functions. The brain cells normally generate electrical signals, transmit them and receive signals from other cells. The cells that are too strong are weakened and all signals are directed in the right direction. During an epileptic seizure, a signal is not toned down and spreads throughout the brain. Symptoms associated with an epileptic seizure include falling over the dog, severe convulsions, foaming at the mouth and walking faeces.

What does an epileptic seizure look like? It takes place in three phases:

  1. The introduction: This phase takes a few minutes to days. The dog is very restless, greedy, wants to go outside or inside and is very anxious
  2. The attack: At this stage, the dog passes out and falls over. There are long-term cramps throughout the body. Furthermore, breathing can be more difficult. During the attack, the dog can also lose stool. This epileptic seizure often lasts a few minutes. If the attack lasts longer than 10 minutes, please contact the veterinarian immediately!
  3. The period after the attack: Now the dog regains consciousness, the convulsions stop, the muscles relax and breathing returns to normal. Often the dog is a bit confused. He is hungry, thirsty, sees bad and barks or howls more than usual. This phase lasts from a few minutes to 2 days. It is important that you approach the dog carefully at this stage because he does not see well and is quite confused. If you approach the dog too quickly, he can be startled and that can lead to an aggressive reaction.

Causes

Often there is no obvious cause in epilepsy. In some cases, epilepsy is the result of infections, head injuries, brain tumors, brain haemorrhages,hypocalcaemia, hypoglycaemia, renal insufficiency,  hepatic insufficiency  or poisoning.

However, you can divide epilepsy into two forms

  1. Primary epilepsy: as in humans. There is no obvious cause and the first seizures occur between the first and sixth years of life. Sometimes the first attacks are only visible at an older age.
  2. Secondary epilepsy: This is a form of epilepsy caused by physical abnormalities. This can be, for example, low sugar, brain or kidney disorders or poisonings.

Dog breeds and susceptibility to epilepsy

Epilepsy can occur in any breed of dog. However, Poodles, German uprights and Welsh Springer Spaniels are more susceptible to an epileptic seizure. Also, the chance of an epileptic seizure increases when the bitch is loopy. Most dogs that suffer from seizures get this at the age of 1 to 3 years.

Treatment

For meaningful treatment, it should be clear in what regularity the attacks come. A dog is only treated when he has an epileptic seizure more than once a month. Dogs are then given the drug phenobarbital. With proper treatment, the period between seizures increases, the severity of the attacks decreases and the length of an attack decreases. 
This can be achieved with the correct dosage of drugs. So, contact the veterinarian if your dog has an epileptic seizure.

Points of attention

  • If your dog has an epileptic seizure, do not put him in the car to go to the vet, for example. Wait until the attack is over before you take the dog.
  • Try not to panic yourself. Do not try to calm the dog and avoid bright light and loud noises.
  • Changes in the environment can cause seizures
  • If your dog ever has surgery, please tell the vet if he ever suffers from seizures. Dogs with epilepsy are more susceptible to anaesthetics
  • There is no greater risk of death in dogs with epilepsy. It's a condition that you and your dog learn to live with.