5 minute read
Seizures
from DQ Magazine Issue 2B
by hqmagazine
UNDERSTANDING THIS COMMON NEUROLOGICAL ISSUE
Aseizure is the result of sudden and abnormal neurological activity in the brain. In dogs, just like in humans, seizures can manifest in many ways and have many causes.
Whatever the cause, however, seizures are always accompanied by altered or lost consciousness. This can last from a few seconds to several minutes or, in the very worst cases, hours.
Dogs who have seizures regularly are usually defined as having epilepsy.
SEIZURES
Often seizures are preceded by a period of anxiety, restlessness and/ or apprehension that is called the ‘preictal phase’, with the seizure itself being referred to as ‘ictus’. The period following the seizure is termed the ‘postictal phase’ and may involve several minutes to hours of disorientation, stupor and/or blindness. Your dog may walk in circles, bump into things, or run away to try and hide.
Lateral ventricle Superior Thalamus colliculus
Cerebral cortex
Cerebellum
Olfactoty bulb Corpus callosum Optic chiasm Pituitary gland Pineal gland
Hypothalamus Midbrain Medulla oblongata Spinal cord
CATEGORIES OF SEIZURES
There are a variety of categories of seizures in dogs. These include:
GENERALISED/GRAND MAL SEIZURES Generalised seizures usually present as full-body convulsive episodes with tonicclonic movements. Both sides of the brain are affected. The symptoms of fullbody convulsions can include: • Loss of consciousness • Loss of normal bowel/urinary control • Paddling of the legs • Stiffness of the legs • Drooling or foaming at the mouth • Teeth chomping
FOCAL SEIZURES These are seizures that originate in one part of the brain, resulting in them only affecting one part of the body, e.g. one limb or one side of the body. However, focal seizures can turn into generalised seizures.
PARTIAL SEIZURES/PSYCHOMOTOR SEIZURES Dogs can also suffer from partial epilepsy. This tends to be milder and is isolated to a specific behaviour change. Symptoms of partial seizures include: • Running uncontrollably • Engaging in senseless, repetitive behaviour • Fly-snapping episodes where the dog appears to be biting at imaginary flies • Rhythmic tail chasing • Out-of-context aggression • Face twitching • A vacant expression for a few seconds
Pons
NOTE
It is also important if you have an epileptic dog that the dog is kept separate from any other dogs in the house when left alone, either crated or in another room. It is common that dogs can attack or even kill a dog that is having a fit as it can trigger a predatory response in some dogs.
These partial seizures can be more challenging to identify, but a dog that has them will always do the same thing every time they have a seizure.
CLUSTER SEIZURES Cluster seizures are a group of seizures that occur in a short time frame. A cluster seizure is usually clinically defined as more than two seizures in 24 hours.
REASONS FOR SEIZURES
Idiopathic epilepsy (i.e. epilepsy without a determined cause) is the most common reason for seizures in dogs. It usually presents in dogs between six months and six years of age. Although any dog can have a seizure, idiopathic epilepsy is more common in Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Belgian Tervurens, Collies and German Shepherds.
Whilst idiopathic epilepsy is the most common reason for seizures, there are other medical reasons why a dog may start to have a seizure such as: • Brain damage caused by diseases or trauma, e.g. drowning, head collisions with other dogs or objects • Poisoning, e.g. by slug pellets, ivermectin wormer (horse wormer that is found in manure). • Viral or bacterial infections like meningitis • Metabolic diseases like liver failure, kidney failure or diabetes with poor sugar control
FIRST AID
If your dog starts to have any seizure activity take the following steps: • Try to stay calm! • If your dog is near something that could injure them, try to move this object away if it is safe to do so. If
they fit outside, try and clip a lead onto their collar as they may run and bolt when the seizure ends. If they fit indoors, reduce the stimuli in the environment where possible, e.g. switch off the TV, turn off the lights, and close the curtains. You should also move children and other dogs into another room. • Do not touch or restrain your dog during the seizure unless they are going to hurt themselves, and you need to slide them away from the source of danger. • Stay away from your dog’s mouth and head as they could bite you unknowingly. Don’t put anything in their mouths. Dogs can’t choke on their tongues, so you don’t need to worry about this. • If possible, try to notice the duration of the fit and the symptoms. • If the seizure lasts for more than two minutes, your dog is at risk of overheating, so turn a fan onto them or put cold water on their paws to cool them down. • Talk to your dog gently to reassure them. • Call your vet as soon as the seizure ends.
NOTE
If your dog has a seizure that lasts for more than three minutes or they have several in a row while unconscious, take them to your vet immediately. The longer a seizure lasts, the higher the body temperature can rise, the less oxygen your dog gets in, and the greater the risk of brain damage. Your vet may need to give medication to stop the seizure.
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