Just like humans, dogs can have seizures (or fits) which can result from various causes. Sometimes a fit is a one-off event, but other dogs have seizures repeatedly. Epilepsy is a condition in which dogs have repeated seizures due to abnormal brain activity.
What is epilepsy in dogs?
In epilepsy, dogs have recurrent seizures that result from abnormal nerve activity in the brain. 'Primary epilepsy' is when there is no obvious structural cause for the fits in the brain itself. The reason why seizures develop in primary epilepsy is not fully understood, but it is likely there is a genetic basis as some breeds are particularly predisposed. These include Beagles, Labradors, German Shepherd Dogs and Border Collies. Primary epilepsy typically develops between the ages of 6 months and 6 years.
Sometimes, seizures can be caused by brain injury or brain diseases such as tumours, and this can be called 'secondary epilepsy'. In other cases, seizures can result from problems outside the brain such as very low blood sugar, and these fits are not classed as epileptic.
What happens in an epileptic seizure?
Epileptic seizures are most often 'generalised', which means that they affect the whole body. Less commonly, dogs can have a partial seizure that only affects one part of the body. Partial seizures can be harder to identify, as they may simply involve muscle twitching or a behavioural change that may indicate a hallucination.
In a generalised seizure, your dog will lose consciousness. Before the seizure begins, you may or may not notice an 'aura' phase in which your dog's behaviour is slightly altered. This is not obvious in all dogs, but some may show signs of anxiety or attention-seeking just before a seizure.
In the seizure itself, dogs will lose consciousness and will typically fall onto their side. You will see their limbs paddling and jerking, and sometimes they will lose control of their bladder or bowels.
After the seizure, dogs may appear disorientated for anything between a few minutes and several hours. You may notice that your dog follows the same pattern of behaviour each time they recover from a fit.
Can I help my dog while they are having a seizure?
While a seizure can be distressing for us to watch, it is important to remember that your dog will not be conscious during the fit itself, so they will not be stressed while it is going on. Do remember though that as your dog is not conscious, they will not be reassured by you being close to them. It is best not to touch your dog during a seizure as this is not good for them and they could bite you by accident.
The best thing you can do is move any objects out of your dog's way so that they do not injure themselves, and make sure that the room is dark and quiet so that there is not too much stimulation for the brain. It is also important to check your watch and time the seizure, because if the fit goes on for more than a few minutes you should call your vet for advice. If the seizure does not stop, your vet will need to see them as an emergency. Also, if your dog has had seizures before, you may have medication that your vet has instructed you to give if the fit goes on longer than a certain number of minutes.
If your dog has not had a seizure before, your vet may want to see them for a check-up once they have recovered fully. If your dog is recovering well, your vet may advise that you let them rest quietly at home rather than going to the surgery straight away. However, if your dog has several seizures in a row, your vet will want to see them sooner.
What will my vet do?
Your vet may suspect that your dog has epilepsy after talking through their signs with you and examining them. However, there are many causes of seizures and your vet may advise investigating for problems that may cause secondary epilepsy or lead to non-epileptic seizures. These investigations include blood tests, X-rays and potentially more advanced imaging such as an MRI scan.
Depending on how often your dog has fits, your vet may advise treatment. If the fits are very infrequent, they may just give you some medication to give during a fit if it lasts too long (this medication will be a sort that is given into your dog’s bottom, as it is not possible to give medication by mouth during a fit).
If the fits are more frequent, your vet may give tablets for your dog to take on a routine basis. The aim of this treatment is not to stop the fits entirely, but to make them happen much less often. Depending on the type of medication, your dog may need regular blood tests to check that the treatment is at the right dose. If your dog is on routine treatment, it is important not to stop this suddenly as that could cause seizures.
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