By Lori S. Mohr
Epilepsy is a short circuit in the brain. It is a series of misfires of the neurosynaptic function that ultimately sends confused signals to the body, which creates the uncontrolled fits.
According to Dr. Jeffery Glass of the Animal Kindness
Veterinary Hospital in Las Vegas, epileptic seizures are a very frustrating
condition. "When a dog comes to us after its initial attack, we perform
a series of tests so that we can narrow down the field of possible causes.
"Unlike most other conditions, idiopathic epilepsy
(primary generalized epilepsy) has no determined
cause. There is no way of knowing what might have set off the seizure until
a CBC (complete blood count) is run and urinalysis performed."
There are three distinct phases of an epileptic seizure.
The first phase begins with an aura. The dog may show signs of apprehension, anxiety, or agitation shortly before the onset of convulsions. He or she may run to the owner for comfort, or retreat to a hiding place for the duration of the attack.
The second phase, called the ictus, is the shaking and convulsing of the body. Typically, this stage lasts a minute or two, but it may continue for longer periods. This is phase is undoubtedly the most worrisome time for owners.
During the first phases of an epileptic seizure, here are some things to do:
Call the
veterinarian immediately.
Hold the
dog in a blanket, don't move the dog, and keep him or her warm.
Try to stay
calm and not raise your voice.
Make sure
the dog cannot roll into anything.
Don't hold
the dog's tongue; the dog won't swallow it.
Be prepared
for vomiting, defecation, or urination.
The postictal phase immediately follows the end
of the seizure.
Depending on the dog and the severity of the
seizure, this phase can last anywhere from a few minutes to several days.
Confusion, anxiety, blindness, disorientation, lethargy, or constant pacing
are signs that the dog is having a difficult time recovering from the seizure.
In various levels of epilepsy, the dog may exhibit uncontrolled displays of behavior such as screaming, chewing on air, aggressiveness, and fear. Other symptoms may involve a turning or twisting of one side of the body or head, or episodes of blank staring.
In general, epilepsy is not a life-threatening condition. However, if initial seizure continues for more than a few minutes or several seizures occur one after another, the condition becomes very serious. The dog must be treated immediately or face the possibility of permanent brain damage or even death.
Testing for Epilepsy
After the initial seizure, the veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam to try to determine possible causes, including several diseases that may be linked to the attack. If the first tests do not show any obvious cause, the next series of tests may include a complete neurological examination of the brain stem function, an electroencephalogram (EEG), which records activity in the brain, and a complete blood count.
These diagnostic tests will show any signs of liver or kidney disease, systemic infection, toxins, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), primary brain disease (tumor, meningitis), trauma, or a variety of nutritional deficiencies, including calcium, potassium, sodium and thiamin.
If all of these diseases are discounted, the veterinarian
can conclude that the dog suffers from idiopathic epilepsy. This diagnosis
is undetectable and incurable. Some dogs may experience only periodic and
isolated episodes of seizure activity.
They can happen a few times and never occur again.
Most cases of epilepsy begin after 3-years old, but can start as early as a few months. In most cases, puppy epilepsy is attributed to hypoglycemia, which usually occurs after the puppy has had an active period after several hours of not eating. If hypoglycemia is determined, the veterinarian may suggest a solution of sugar and water to level out the blood sugar.
Treatment
The anticonvulsant prescribed most often is Phenobarbital. It is highly effective for generalized seizures because it is affordable and easily dispensed by pill, liquid, or injection. The dog is monitored for number and strength of any following seizures and the medication is adjusted accordingly.
The side effects of Phenobarbital are better than other available seizure medications. Some reactions to Phenobarbital may include central nervous system depression, excessive eating, excessive thirst, and excessive urination.
Other medications for controlling epileptic seizures
are Primidone and Phenytoin. The required dosage for Primidone is higher
and more frequent. It has the same side effects as Phenobarbital, but can
also create adverse reactions when certain other drugs are mixed with it.
Phenytoin is the drug used most frequently on
humans, but it is also used for dogs. Its dosage
is also considerably higher than Phenobarbital.
Diazepam (Valium) can be used for dogs who have other conditions that prevent them from taking any of the standard drugs. If a known liver problem exists or at one time was treated, Diazepam can be used to calm down the animal, but it is not considered an effective method in controlling chronic cases of epilepsy.
Preventing epilepsy before it strikes, unfortunately, is not an available option, unless the condition stems from head or brain injuries, contact with poisons such as lead, or nutritional deficiencies In the case of genetics, there is no guarantee the dog will ever develop the disorder.
The most important safeguard for living with an epileptic pet is to be well informed by your veterinarian and to know how to manage the disease.