Hey there, pet parents. Witnessing your dog have a seizure is one of the most frightening experiences an owner can have. One of the most common causes of recurrent seizures in dogs is Idiopathic Epilepsy. While it can be a very scary diagnosis, the good news is that it can often be well-managed with medication, allowing your dog to have an excellent quality of life.
What is Idiopathic Epilepsy?
"Idiopathic" is a medical term that means "of unknown cause." "Epilepsy" is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. So, Idiopathic Epilepsy is a condition of recurrent seizures for which we cannot find an underlying cause.
It is a diagnosis of exclusion. This means a vet has to rule out all other possible causes of seizures (like brain tumors, infections, toxins, or metabolic problems) before they can diagnose idiopathic epilepsy. It is thought to be a genetic, inherited disorder in many breeds.
A seizure is essentially a "storm" of abnormal, uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. This storm can manifest in many different ways.
Types of Seizures
Not all seizures look the same.
- •Generalized (Grand Mal) Seizure: This is the type most people think of. The dog will lose consciousness, fall on its side, become stiff, and paddle its legs. They may also drool, foam at the mouth, and lose control of their bladder or bowels. A grand mal seizure typically lasts for 1-3 minutes.
- •Focal (Partial) Seizure: This type of seizure only affects one part of the brain, so the signs are more localized. It can look like a twitching of the face, a "fly-biting" behavior where the dog snaps at the air, or a rhythmic movement of one limb. The dog is usually conscious during a focal seizure.
- •Psychomotor Seizure: This is a type of focal seizure that manifests as a bizarre, repetitive behavior, like tail chasing or circling.
The Three Stages of a Seizure
A classic grand mal seizure has three distinct phases:
- •The Pre-ictal Phase (Aura): This is the period just before the seizure. The dog may seem anxious, restless, or clingy. This can last for minutes to hours.
- 1The Ictus: This is the seizure itself, as described above.
- 2The Post-ictal Phase: This is the period of confusion and disorientation after the seizure. The dog may be wobbly, temporarily blind, or pace restlessly. This can last from a few minutes to several hours.
What to Do if Your Dog Has a Seizure
It's a terrifying experience, but the most important thing is to stay calm.
- •Do not try to hold your dog down or put anything in their mouth. They will not swallow their tongue. You are much more likely to be accidentally bitten.
- •Keep them safe. Move any furniture or other objects away from them so they don't injure themselves.
- •Time the seizure. This is very important information for your vet.
- •Cool them down. Seizures can cause the body temperature to rise dangerously. You can put a cool, wet cloth on their paws.
- •Record it. If you can do so safely, taking a video of the seizure can be very helpful for your vet.
When is a seizure an emergency?
- •If a seizure lasts for more than 5 minutes.
- •If the dog has more than one seizure in a 24-hour period (this is called a "cluster" seizure).
- •If the dog has one seizure right after another without recovering in between (this is called "status epilepticus"). These are all life-threatening emergencies that require immediate veterinary attention.
Diagnosing Idiopathic Epilepsy
As mentioned, this is a diagnosis of exclusion. If a dog between the ages of 1 and 5 years old has a seizure, and is completely normal neurologically in between seizures, idiopathic epilepsy is the most likely cause.
Your vet will perform a full physical and neurological exam and run baseline bloodwork to rule out any metabolic causes. If the seizures are difficult to control or there are other neurological signs, your vet may refer you to a veterinary neurologist for more advanced diagnostics, like an MRI of the brain and a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tap to rule out a brain tumor or inflammation.
Treatment: Controlling the Seizures
The goal of treatment is not necessarily to eliminate the seizures completely, but to decrease their frequency, severity, and duration. Vets typically recommend starting medication if a dog is having more than one seizure every 1-2 months, or if they are having cluster seizures.
There are several anti-convulsant medications available:
- •Phenobarbital: This is one of the oldest and most effective anti-seizure medications. It's inexpensive and works very well, but it can have side effects and requires regular blood monitoring.
- •Potassium Bromide (KBr): Another older medication that is often used in combination with phenobarbital.
- •Levetiracetam (Keppra): A very popular and safe newer medication. It's very effective and has few side effects, but it needs to be given three times a day. There is also an extended-release version available.
- •Zonisamide: Another newer medication that is often used as a first-line treatment or as an add-on.
It can take some time to find the right medication or combination of medications to get your dog's seizures under control. Keeping a detailed seizure log can be very helpful for your vet.
Living with an epileptic dog can be stressful, but with a good management plan and a close relationship with your vet, you can help your dog to lead a full and happy life.
Sources & Further Reading:
- •VCA Animal Hospitals - Epilepsy in Dogs
- 1American Kennel Club - Seizures in Dogs