What to Know About Dogs Seizure

Dogs with seizures is related to a neurological condition that is basically the same as with people. Just like with people there are different types of seizures that can affect dogs. These include:

- Epilepsy - which means the seizures occur repeatedly over the course of the animals life

- Symptomatic epilepsy - this is a primary epilepsy that allows the veterinarian to see lesions and damage to the brain via radiographic technologies

- Idiopathic epilepsy - this form of the disease does not appear to cause any brain damage even if there are several seizures

- Cluster seizures - this is where the dog has more than one seizure in a 24 hour period

- Status epilepsy - this is a more severe case where the seizure activity is constant or the brain never comes out of the seizure completely

If the dog has repeated seizures there is more likelihood of brain damage occurring. Most dogs with seizures are genetically predisposed, meaning if their parents had a form of epilepsy, they are more prone to develop symptoms as well.

Causes for Dog Seizures

If at all possible, locating the cause of the seizures is explored, because when the veterinarian knows the cause, they can treat your dog accordingly. Some seizures are caused by low blood sugar levels is very common in toy breeds. Another cause can be low calcium levels as well as dogs with liver disease. When the cause is understood, it makes treating the disorder more effective.

Treatment Options

There are several different routes to treating dog seizures, but if at all possible finding the cause of the seizure should first be explored. If the cause is identified, the treatment begins there. For instance, if the dog has low blood sugar levels, getting this corrected will cause the seizures to cease. If there is no underlying cause or it cannot be identified, most dogs are placed on medications specifically for controlling the seizures and preventing them from happening.

Dogs with seizures can live a normal lifespan, if the condition is caught early and there is a simple underlying cause. Those dogs that have a causation cannot be found, tend to not live as long because they eventually have brain damage from continued seizures.

Many dogs with continued seizures for no apparent known cause become immune to the medications, in other words, they no longer respond to the treatment so the dosages have to be increased.

Final Thoughts

When your dog friend has seizures, it can be a very frightening experience to watch. If there is no underlying cause for the seizures, your dog can possibly have a seizure at any given time. Therefore, it is essential that someone is always with the dog in case of a seizure that does not end. These types of seizures need immediate medical intervention or brain damage will surely follow.