Epilepsy In Dogs

Epilepsy is a condition that may be hereditary in dogs. Some dog breeds are more prone to epilepsy. Seizures may appear differently in different dogs. During a seizure, a dog may tremble, stare into space, snap as if at a fly, or the dog’s body may become stiff. Seizures in dogs may last a few seconds to a few minutes. Not all seizure activity is caused by epilepsy.

If any dog that has not had a diagnosis of epilepsy has a seizure, the veterinarian should be consulted immediately. The diagnosis of epilepsy is usually a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that all other reasons for seizures are ruled out first to determine if there is another explanation for the seizures. A blood sample from the dog is likely to be used during the diagnostic process. The veterinarian may use an electroencephalogram (EEG) to study the dog’s electrical activity in the brain. After a diagnosis of canine epilepsy, the veterinarian will give the dog owner instructions for caring for the epileptic dog.

There is no cure for epilepsy in dogs. If the seizures are infrequent and not severe, the veterinarian may suggest that the epilepsy remain untreated. If the seizures are frequent or the veterinarian and dog owner are concerned about the severity of the seizures, anti-convulsive treatment may be used. Anti-convulsive medication is used to reduce seizures. An epileptic dog may still have an occasional seizure. The veterinarian should let the dog owner know when a seizure should prompt an emergency visit to the veterinarian like if the seizure lasts more than ten minutes.

Anti-convulsive medication may have to be given to the dog twice a day. The veterinarian may have to adjust the dosage a few times before the right dosage is determined. Some dogs develop liver damage due to the anti-convulsive medication. Dogs may need to have periodic blood tests to check for liver damage.

The dog may build up a tolerance to the medication. In those cases, the veterinarian may prescribe a different medication. A dog owner should never abruptly change or discontinue the anti-convulsive medication without consulting the veterinarian first. Many products and services claim to treat epilepsy in dogs, but the dog owner should discuss these treatments with the veterinarian before changing treatment.