Epileptic seizures in dogs are very impressive. The owner no longer knows what to do. The crisis lasts from a few seconds to several minutes. Often, it is preceded by a time during which the dog seems lost.
The dog hides or wanders without a precise goal, then loses consciousness, falls to the ground and shows convulsions, signs of pedaling; Often it urinates and defecates. His jaw slams and the saliva flows. Gradually, the convulsions diminish in intensity and then disappear, and the dog resumes a normal state, almost as if nothing had happened. Sometimes he looks a little dazed.
The crisis is triggered by an abnormal stimulation of an area of the brain. There are many causes of seizures. Inflammations of the encephalon, or encephalitis, may be the cause of epileptic seizures. In the same way, brain tumors can be called into question. Some general diseases stimulate the brain and trigger a crisis.
When a known cause can not be determined, it is said to be essential epilepsy. Essential epilepsy always appears before the age of three.
Cases of epileptic seizures in dogs are rare but some breeds are predisposed. The symptoms of seizures are always identical and occur at precise intervals.
The rabies virus and the disease of Carre attack the central nervous system, and can be the cause of crises. The roundworms can lodge in the brain and cause seizures. As a result of head trauma, the dog may present seizures, as areas of cerebral healing may become the site of seizure-induced seizures. A stress-generating event will encourage the outbreak of the crisis; For example, visit to the veterinarian, the arrival of a new animal ...
At the origin of these impressive symptoms, metabolic disorders can also be found: for example, hypocalcaemia (decreased calcium in the blood) - common in breastfeeding bitches - or hypoglycemia (decrease in blood sugar). Renal insufficiency, or liver disease (hepatic encephalopathy) can also be found.
When the dog is presented to the veterinarian, the crisis is over. The owner must therefore be able to report to the veterinarian as much information as possible about the crisis and its outbreak: does the dog often have seizures? At what age did he have his first crisis? What time separates two crises? ...
The veterinarian performs a complete examination of the nervous system, and considers a blood test, a skull radiograph, possibly a scanner, etc. As you can see, epileptic seizures are not easy to diagnose and the causes are numerous, sometimes mundane and sometimes serious, sometimes serious and serious.
To treat, it is obviously necessary to suppress the cause that one has identified. In the case of essential epilepsy, treatment will only be implemented if the frequency of seizures is high. It can be considered from a crisis per month, and more. The treatment is rather cumbersome, since daily medication must be given to the dog throughout its life. It is possible to learn to detect the onset of a crisis. You have to talk to the dog and reassure him.
It must be installed in a quiet and dark place, safe from any object that could hurt him. It is also possible to act during a crisis by injecting anticonvulsants intramuscularly, intravenously or rectally. You will need to learn to live with your epileptic dog, who can have a normal life by following a treatment.
