Condition Spotlight: Seizures

A seizure can be defined as an abnormal electrical discharge in the brain.  Both dogs and cats can have seizures, but it is far more common in dogs. Although any breed of dog can have a seizure, it appears to be more common in these certain breeds:

• Beagles
• Bernese Mountain Dogs
• Cocker Spaniels
• Collies
• German Shepherds
• Golden Retrievers
• Irish Setters
• Labrador Retrievers
• Poodles
• Miniature Schnauzers
• Saint Bernards
• Fox Terriers
  (list courtesy Vetstreet)

       A seizure can have many causes.  Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), toxicity, liver disease, tumors, or trauma can all cause your pet to have a seizure.  When a cause of the seizures can’t be found it is called idiopathic epilepsy. Idiopathic epilepsy, an inherited condition, is the most common cause of seizures in dogs.
     When your pet has a seizure, try to move them to a clear area on the floor if you can safely do so.  Pets do not swallow their tongue during a seizure so do not attempt to put your fingers in their mouth or you may be badly injured.  Try to remember to keep track of how long the seizure lasts.  A seizure that goes on for more than 5 minutes requires immediate veterinary attention! Seizures are scary to watch, but are not considered to be painful to your pet. However your pet will most likely feel confused and frightened afterwards.
      If your pet is having seizures, you should get him or her to your vet for an exam as soon as possible.   He/she will do a complete physical exam and perform some laboratory tests to determine the cause of the seizures.  As mentioned earlier, epilepsy is often idiopathic, or of unknown cause, so the exam and test results may come back as normal.
If your pet has a severe grand mal seizures, has several small seizures in a row, or continues to have more than one seizure a month, your veterinarian may want to pet your pet on an anti-seizure medication such as phenobarbital or potassium bromide.  These medications will require that you bring your pet back to the vet for continuous lab work to monitor for any adverse side effects.