Understanding The Symptoms And Causes For Epilepsy In Dogs

When people witness their pets going through an epileptic seizure, it's hard knowing not knowing what you can do to help or even understanding the causes for it. Epilepsy in dogs is fairly common amongst dogs in general, especially within certain breeds, but by understanding its causes, symptoms and so forth, you can help your pet and yourself manage them better.

Canine-type epilepsy is a chronic condition that entails reoccurring seizures in dogs. However, it's also important to know that not all cases of seizures are to due to epilepsy. The epilepsy disorder is causes by abnormal brain activities triggering the braining, which in turn send mixed up signals to the muscles and the rest of the body, resulting in convulsions as well as other related symptoms.

Due to the fact that there can be several different causes that trigger seizures, epilepsy cannot be defined as the main reason. However, the seizures themselves that are related to epilepsy are generally broken down into two categories, often referred to as symptomatic and idiopathic seizures or disorders.

Idiopathic, or primary, epilepsy is often defined by the lack of abnormalities within the brain, other than the symptoms themselves, and are often suspected of being genetic, especially amongst certain dog breeds. Symptoms are said to start between the ages of one and five years of age, generally with no known cause. Symptomatic or secondary epilepsy, on the other hand, can often be contributed to other causes, like lesions or other health-related issues.

Generally, seizures are classified as either a petite mal or grand mal seizure, with grand mal seizures being the most common affliction. Grand mal symptoms generally entail collapsing and/or signs of uncontrolled spasm and convulsions, while other signs may include swimming or paddling in place, marching or drunk-like weaving, salivating, and sometimes urination and defecation. Petite mal seizures typically do not bear symptoms of convulsions, but may result in the loss of consciousness or collapsing.

The initial signs that a dog may be falling into a seizure may include hiding, being overly affection, whining, restlessness or pacing and salivating. During the seizure, signs often are uncontrolled spasms or convulsions, circling, marching or paddling and vomiting, although other behaviors may show. Afterward, your dog may suffer from lethargy, disorientation, temporary blindness, or being uncoordinated.

Should you have the misfortune of seeing your pet go through a seizure, it's important to keep an eye on them, but also to avoid touching them, so that you don't accidentally get bit. Try to use a calming voice and stay calm yourself, but try comforting afterward, as most times dogs are too disoriented to notice comfort during the moment.

If you believe that your pet may be having seizures in general or ones that appear similar to epilepsy in dogs, it's important to have a veterinarian check them out thoroughly. While there are no tests to truly determine epilepsy, the veterinarian will likely perform x-rays, do a series of laboratory tests, as well as do a physical neurological examination in order to come to a better diagnosis and to prescribe the right treatment to make things more manageable.