Epilepsy in small breed dogs. Veterinary Academy

Etiology of epileptic seizures

Risk factors are any brain disease that affects the thalamocortical region. Ketamine and acepromazine can increase brain seizures and cause seizures in clinically normal animals.

Canine Epilepsy Diagnosis - Symptoms and Tests

Extracranial causes

Intracranial causes:

• degenerative diseases and pathological processes (storage diseases, hypoxia, vascular disorders);
• developmental anomalies (eg, hydrocephalus);
• neoplasms;
• inflammatory processes (bacterial, mycotic, viral, protozoal);
• rickettsiosis (Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis);
• idiopathic and immune-mediated diseases (granulomatous and eosinophilic meningoencephalomyelitis, canine encephalitis);
• traumatic brain injury.

Differential Diagnosis

Seizures caused by extracranial causes are characterized as generalized; lateralized neurological deficit is not detected. With intoxication, the convulsive syndrome in an animal without treatment progresses with the transition of tonic seizures (like shaking, tremor) to clonic (convulsions) and status epilepticus, which can be fatal. With the sudden onset of frequent epileptic seizures (more than two during the 1st week of the disease), their partial nature, neurological deficit between seizures, and with the exclusion of extracranial causes, one should look for organic brain changes that form an epileptic focus.

Idiopathic epilepsy is the most common cause of seizures in dogs. In differential diagnosis, it is necessary to take into account the age, breed of the animal, the nature of seizures, their type and frequency of occurrence, as well as laboratory test data.

Instrumental methods for the study of epilepsy and seizures in dogs

Severe cluster seizures and status epilepticus are often accompanied by metabolic acidosis. At the same time, hyperglycemia in the early stage can be replaced by hypoglycemia in the late stage, which is especially characteristic of small dog breeds. Moderate or pronounced increase in creatine kinase activity, possibly in combination with myoglobinuria, may be due to muscle necrosis.

If an organic disease of the brain is suspected, an analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid is performed. EEG allows to detect pathological changes in the brain, but usually they are nonspecific.

Treatment of status epilepticus in dogs

It is necessary to explain to the owner of the animal the importance of conducting a full examination if metabolic disorders or organic brain disease are suspected, since treatment with anticonvulsants in this case will be symptomatic, and not etiological.

Treatment with phenobarbital

Epilepsy in a dog video

In the treatment of status epilepticus, the simultaneous use of phenobarbital and diazepam is possible in order to potentiate their effect (it should be remembered that there is a danger of inhibition of the respiratory center and the cardiovascular system). Phenobarbital, used simultaneously with cimetidine and chloramphenicol, disrupts its metabolism and increases the concentration of phenobarbital in the blood to a toxic level. When prescribing other drugs during treatment with phenobarbital, their interactions are taken into account.

Features of assistance in severe cases

If convulsions stop and do not recur within 4-6 hours, the infusion rate is reduced over several hours. As soon as possible appoint phenobarbital inside. In some cases, dexamethasone 0.25 mg/kg 1-3 times a day is additionally used (contraindicated in case of infection).

With prolonged antiepileptic therapy, potassium bromide is indicated as a second-line drug. Diazepam and phenobarbital infusions can lead to immobility and anesthesia of the animal. It is advisable to conduct EEG monitoring at this time to help control the stage of anesthesia.

Follow-up care for a dog with epilepsy

Twitching of the eyelids and lips in an animal under deep anesthesia indicates continued convulsive activity. Normalization of the state after status epilepticus usually occurs within 7-10 days. Vision is restored last.

If seizures do not recur within 6 months, antiepileptic drugs are gradually canceled (over several months). If the frequency of seizures is more than one in a period of 6-8 weeks, therapy should be adjusted.

The use of phenobarbital can lead to liver damage with prolonged excess of therapeutic serum concentrations (> 45 μg / ml). It is also possible to develop acute neutropenia during the first weeks of treatment. It is necessary to constantly monitor that there are no side effects.

Despite adequate treatment, seizures may continue due to the development of drug refractoriness. In some cases, residual signs of status epilepticus are constantly noted: blindness, behavioral disturbances, cerebellar signs. With the preservation of convulsive seizures, the development of status epilepticus or death is likely.

Status epilepticus can lead to the development of hyperthermia, disturbances in the acid-base state and water-electrolyte balance, the development of hypoxia, pulmonary edema, cardiac arrhythmias, aspiration pneumonia, renal and cardiovascular failure and death.

Epilepsy in dogs is a sign of neurological dysfunction inside the brain. Its causes can be many.

For reasons, primary or "true" epilepsy and secondary are distinguished. Primary is considered as a genetic disorder, but its type of inheritance is still unknown. The first seizure often occurs between the ages of 6 months and 5 years.

All breeds of dogs are susceptible to the disease, including. But most often, dachshunds, beagles, Belgian and German Shepherds, Cocker Spaniels, Boxers, Collies, Poodles, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Irish Setters, Miniature Schnauzers, St. Bernards, Wirehaired Terriers and Siberian Huskies still suffer from epilepsy.

Epilepsy Seizures in Dogs: Symptoms and Treatment

An epileptic seizure has three components. The first, "aura", manifests itself as nervousness, whining, restlessness, swaying, salivation, wandering and hiding. It can last from a few seconds to several days, and therefore dog breeders do not always notice it.

The second stage, ictal, is when the dog loses consciousness and falls. The muscles of the body are so tense that the limbs seem to petrify, the head throws back to the side. The pupils are wide open, the eyeballs roll up. Then there are the heads. The dog breathes heavily, often, with noise. The lower jaw twitches rapidly with splashing foamy saliva in different directions.

Paws bend and unbend like a dog running fast. Due to disruption of the bladder and tension of the muscles of the abdominal wall, involuntary bowel movements and urination occur. These spasms gradually slow down and stop. The seizure lasts from one to five minutes.

The next, postictal stage, is characterized by a period of disorientation, wandering, salivation, and some blindness. It can last up to several days, gradually normalizing.

If the seizure lasts more than 30 minutes, then urgent medical attention is needed. It is better to take the dog to the hospital yourself, wrapping it in a blanket.

A dog prone to seizures should be protected from possible tension or excitability, anxiety and stress. These include reproduction, as well as sports competitions.

Neurological disease is more common in males. Epilepsy in small breed dogs is frightening for owners, and it's easy to get confused and panicky if you don't know about the problem. Between seizures, the pet looks completely healthy, there are no signs of brain damage, but severe symptoms appear during exacerbation.

It is important to know why epilepsy develops in dogs. Treatment and how to stop seizures, the correct behavior of the owner, diagnosis, types of anticonvulsant therapy, the selection of optimal food and diet - the nuances described in the article.

What is epilepsy in dogs

The convulsive syndrome develops as a result of neurological disorders in the brain. With a genetic form of pathology, the first attacks occur in young dogs at the age of 6 months - 3 years. The acquired type of the disease is formed under the influence of external and internal negative factors.

Characteristic signs of epilepsy:

• convulsions,
• muscle tension,
• salivation,
• involuntary bowel movement
• change in breathing and pressure,
• in severe cases, loss of consciousness is possible.

Breed Predisposition

Neurological disorders are often inherited. It is no coincidence that when choosing a puppy, you need to find out from the breeder what genetic pathologies the pet could inherit. Epilepsy is one of the ailments that can develop in a puppy if the rodin of the parents suffered from brain damage.

What breeds of small dogs are predisposed to developing seizures? The disease occurs in many varieties of pets, but there are several breeds that are more likely to be diagnosed with epilepsy by veterinarians. This fact does not mean that the acquired animal will necessarily have problems with nervous regulation and the functioning of the central nervous system, but you need to know about the possible risk in advance.

The following breeds are at risk for neurological disorders:

• Finnish spitz;
• boxer;
• Cocker Spaniel.

Reasons for development

The genetic form of a neurological disorder is inherited. The exact causes of damage to brain cells have not been established.

The secondary form of the disease is a consequence of various factors that disrupt the central nervous system. After 5 years of life, doctors diagnose an acquired type of epilepsy in dogs.

Causes of secondary epilepsy:

• intoxication after a snake bite and acute food poisoning;
• skull trauma;
• metabolic problems;
• deficiency of minerals and vitamins;
• hypoglycemia (more common in older dogs);
• toxic damage to the body during the active reproduction of helminths and protozoa;
• brain tumors;
• chemical poisoning;
• development of severe kidney and liver damage;
• complication against the background of dangerous diseases, such as piroplasmosis, plague, rabies.

Types and symptoms

The primary type of epilepsy appears before the age of three years. The exact etiology of the genetic disease has not been established, scientists are inclined to the version of the inheritance of brain lesions that provoke convulsive syndrome.

Regardless of the type of disease, an epileptic attack goes through several stages:

• behavior changes a few days or hours before the onset of seizures. Most animals whine, experience headaches, worry;
• stage "Aura" - the first stage of the attack. Vivid signs: overexcitation, trembling, the animal is restless, trying to run away or hide in a secluded place. Another sign is increased salivation;
• basal or ictal stage. Heavy breathing, the dog falls, convulsive muscle contraction appears, involuntary emptying of the bladder and intestines occurs. The eyes of the animal roll back, paws twitch, the dog often bites its tongue, which leads to the appearance of drops of blood in the saliva. The duration of this stage is about 3 minutes;
• postictal stage. The behavior of small breed dogs is different: some pets quickly fall asleep, others rush about, cannot find a place for themselves, worry, do not recognize the owner. In some cases, temporary blindness, postconvulsive bulimia (increased appetite) occurs.

Seizure types:

• generalized- loss of consciousness, abrupt onset of an attack, the pet falls, paws "stiffen" for 10-30 seconds. Later, the dog "departs", an abundant flow of saliva appears, the pupils dilate;
• partial- one side of the body is affected, the animal is not completely paralyzed;
• behavioral- reactions are disturbed, the animal behaves strangely;
• small epileptic attack;
• multiple seizures- the problem recurs over a short period.

The most dangerous condition is status epilepticus. The dog does not return to its normal state for half an hour, the animal is unconscious, without taking emergency measures, the death of the pet may occur.

Diagnostics

After the first attack, the owner should visit the veterinary clinic with the pet. It is important to immediately find out the cause of the convulsive syndrome, to examine the brain. Without identifying the factors that provoke neurological disorders, it is impossible to stop epileptic seizures. With frequent repetition of negative reactions, the dog may die. The doctor examines the history, conducts a brain scan, prescribes an ultrasound of the internal organs, an analysis for helminth eggs and the identification of protozoa.

Treatment

If attacks have happened before, then at the first symptoms, anticonvulsant drugs should be prepared, at the beginning of the attack, the composition of the muscle should be injected. Correct actions can stop an attack or reduce the severity of the condition.

Important! The dog should receive food rich in vitamins, magnesium, calcium, selenium. Vitamin B deficiency increases the risk of developing seizures. Be sure to reduce the caloric content of the diet, reduce the amount of fats and carbohydrates: many antiepileptic drugs provoke the development of obesity. The pet should receive more vitamins, easily digestible meat, dairy products, cereals, fiber, mineral components.

What to do during an attack

The main thing: do not panic. An epileptic attack in dogs is a frightening sight, but confusion and panic are not the best helpers in a difficult situation. Competent, confident actions of the owner help the dog avoid accidental injuries and other unpleasant consequences.

The first attack confuses many owners. To eliminate fear and confusion, it is useful to study information about helping a dog with an epileptic seizure.

Note to hosts:

• Act cautiously, but decisively, do not shout, do not groan.
• Remove other pets and children from the room, dim the lights.
• Take the dog in your arms, put it in a safe place, for example, on a soft bedding or a bed covered with an old bedspread. It is important to prevent accidental head-butting against the wall if the attack occurs while the pet is on the floor.
• It is necessary to slightly moisten the stomach with slightly warm water.
• It is forbidden to press the pet to the floor in order to exclude negative consequences for the internal organs, touch the mouth, try to get the tongue: the pet may involuntarily bite.
• It is important to reduce the risk of strangulation (asphyxia). The owner must quickly turn the animal on its side so that the dog does not choke on saliva and does not bite its tongue.
• At the end of the attack, you do not need to persistently stroke the pet, try to calm it down. Many dogs fall asleep, recuperate.
• After rest and sleep, you need to show the animal to the veterinarian as soon as possible. The clinic conducts an examination of the pet, determine whether there is a risk of repeated attacks. It is necessary to choose a veterinary clinic with modern equipment and qualified personnel for high-quality diagnostics, exclusion or confirmation of severe brain damage.
• The duration of an epileptic seizure for more than 15 minutes or the repetition of seizures throughout the day is a reason for an urgent call to the veterinarian. With status epilepticus, small breed dogs can die.

How to understand that an attack is starting? In many dogs, behavior changes dramatically: the animal stops alertly, looks frightened, habitual activity disappears. These signs are a reason to carefully monitor your pet. If the animal has had epileptic seizures before, then the owner has a few minutes to pull himself together and help the pet during convulsions. Sometimes an epileptic seizure in an animal begins suddenly, without visible signs, before a formidable test.

Medications

Names for complex treatment and prevention of seizures are selected by the veterinarian after examination and confirmation of the diagnosis. It is important to prevent serious consequences, to restore muscle tone as soon as possible so that clonic and tonic convulsions do not cause irreparable harm to the animal.

In the treatment of epilepsy in small dogs, anticonvulsants are used:

• Phenobarbital.
• Hexamidin.
• Mydocalm.
• Trimetin.
• Sibazon.
• Potassium bromide.
• sodium valproate.

Additionally assigned:

• Ketanov (powerful pain reliever).
• Enap (with a significant increase in pressure).
• Cavinton (for normalization of blood circulation in the brain).
• Magnesia (vasodilating and anticonvulsant action).

With no hope of a complete cure, the pet receives antiepileptic drugs for life. The active ingredients reduce the risk of developing seizures, normalize the functioning of the brain, and reduce muscle tone. It is important at certain periods to control the level of active substances contained in anticonvulsants in the blood.

When confirming the diagnosis of "epilepsy" in dogs of small breeds, the owner must thoroughly study the rules of behavior during seizures, effective measures to reduce the risk of seizures in a pet. It is important to know how to care for a sick dog. Be sure to have on hand and always take anticonvulsant pills for a walk.

On the page you can learn about how and how to properly clean the ears of a dog at home.

Prevention

How to stop seizures:

• The owner must protect the sick dog from physical and emotional strain. You can not shout at the animal and, moreover, beat the pet.
• It is necessary to avoid actions that provoke a stressful state, physical and nervous strain. Do not take your pet to noisy events where there are flashes of bright light, loud music, large crowds of people.
• It is important to minimize situations that provoke irritation in the dog and the owner. For example, a pet chews shoes. It is necessary to equip a small locker in the hallway for storing shoes and boots. A simple measure reduces the likelihood of conflicts due to damaged shoes.
• With a secondary type of disease, it is important to treat the pathology against which epileptic seizures develop. Normalization of the liver, brain, kidneys, timely detection of worms in a dog and their expulsion contributes to the disappearance of neurological lesions.

With good care, dogs with epilepsy live long lives. Proper nutrition, combined with a calm environment in the house and the timely use of anticonvulsants, alleviate the condition of the pet. You can not leave single attacks without attention: in the future, the development of status epilepticus and severe consequences for the animal are possible.

What should I do if my dog ​​has epilepsy? How to help the animal and stop the attack? You can find answers to this and other questions in the video below:

Veterinarians are often asked the question: Can dogs have epilepsy? The answer is simple. Dogs, like people, can suffer from a wide variety of diseases. Diseases caused by nervous stress and emotional experiences are no exception. One of these ailments is epilepsy.

Causes of epilepsy

What is epilepsy in dogs and why does it occur? Epilepsy refers to neurological disorders that occur directly inside the brain.

It is believed that at the time of an attack, brain cells lose their electrical stability. As a result, this causes a strong electrical discharge that affects all tissues and leads to disruption of their normal functioning.

The signs of epilepsy in dogs are hard to miss. If the owner of the animal doubts, then on the network you can find many videos with the tentative title "epilepsy in dogs video". At the time of the attack, the dog begins convulsions and convulsions. Depending on the severity of the attack, this can range from mild twitching to severe impairment of motor functions, which can lead to serious consequences.

Canine epilepsy can be congenital (primary) or acquired (secondary).

The primary form of epilepsy occurs solely due to a genetic predisposition or in the presence of natural neurological abnormalities in the brain. Diagnosed congenital epilepsy, unfortunately, is not treated. In this case, the dog can only make life easier by undergoing a periodic course of treatment.

Any dog ​​can be born with a similar disorder of the nervous system. True, some breeds are more predisposed to this, for example: hounds, most shepherd dogs, cocker spaniels, Irish setters, schnauzers, St. Bernards, terriers, etc. Epilepsy is diagnosed in dogs at about six months of age.

However, if such a diagnosis is made, this does not mean that the animal will not be able to live a full life. Moreover, it is far from a fact that her offspring will also have this disease. Although it is better not to use it for breeding such individuals.

There can be many reasons for the appearance of a secondary form of the disease.

Epilepsy in puppies and young dogs (up to a year old) can occur as a result of the influence of the following factors:

In adulthood (over 5 years), age-related diseases can be added to the above factors:

• disorders in the liver or kidneys;
• arrhythmia and other cardiovascular diseases.

It follows that almost any dog ​​can get this disorder. Epilepsy is not particularly selective in this regard.

The main symptoms of epilepsy in dogs

Epilepsy in dogs. Videos with this title are easy to find on the Internet. However, the owner will not hurt to have some theoretical knowledge about the course of the attack.

How does epilepsy manifest in dogs? An epileptic seizure can be conditionally divided into three stages.

Stage 1. Aura

This condition occurs in a dog just before an attack. Usually at such moments the animal begins to whine, is clearly nervous, tries to hide or at least hide from the eyes of the owner. Profuse salivation and confusion are also frequently observed.

Stage 2. Ictal stage

In fact, this stage is nothing but the seizure itself. Just at this moment, everything happens that the inhabitants associate with an ailment called canine epilepsy. Symptoms of a seizure at this stage are pronounced. The muscles of the whole body of the animal spontaneously tighten, and the dog falls on its side. The head of the pet throws back, and the eyeball begins to roll. The animal begins to breathe often and hard.

At the same time, the dog's lower jaw shakes, making chewing movements. Foamed saliva oozes from the mouth, often with an admixture of blood. The dog's paws twitch uncontrollably. Often, cramps in the abdominal muscles provoke a bowel movement or urination. All the while the seizure lasts, the pet makes squealing sounds.

As a rule, the attack does not torment the animal for too long. In this case, convulsions are repeated at intervals of several seconds, gradually slowing down, and then stop altogether.

Stage 3. Postictal stage

Immediately after the seizure ends, the dog experiences some confusion. The pet begins to wander aimlessly. There is restlessness and slight loss of orientation in the dog. Often numbness is added to the above symptoms, and even loss of vision, which is quickly restored. The duration of the last stage may vary.

Some dogs are still in a depressed state for a long time or plunge into restless sleep. Others, on the contrary, are very excited for some time and constantly move, not finding a place for themselves. From the point of view of veterinary medicine, this behavior is explained by the complete exhaustion of the potential of neurons, which take time to restore metabolites. What to do with an epileptic seizure in a dog?

The onset of a seizure often puts the owners of animals with epilepsy into a state of panic: “A seizure has begun! What to do?". In fact, you don't need to do anything special. You just need to follow some safety measures and alleviate the suffering of your pet with your care.

When symptoms of the onset of an epileptic seizure appear, children and other pets should be taken away from the room in which the dog is located, if there are any, of course. The fact is that the dog in the first and third stages of the attack does not behave quite adequately and can attack.

As soon as the seizure itself begins, in order to avoid accidental injury, it is advisable for the dog to put a pillow or something soft under the dog's head. In no case should you try to put hard objects in the dog's mouth in order to open it. Such actions can lead not only to damage to the pet's teeth, but also to injury to the owner's hand. At the end of the attack, the animal must be caressed and surrounded by care. At times like this, she really needs it.

That, in principle, is all the first aid for epilepsy in dogs, which the owner can provide to a sick animal. Typically, seizures in dogs do not last long. However, there are cases when the seizure drags on for half an hour or more. In this case, the help of a veterinarian is indispensable. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to call such a specialist at home, so even in this state, the pet will have to be taken to the clinic.

In this case, the mobility of the animal should be limited as much as possible. To do this, it is recommended to wrap the dog in a large blanket or blanket. If there is no way to deliver the pet to a specialized hospital, then anticonvulsant drugs for dogs can be administered to the animal.

Moreover, the drugs for epilepsy in dogs are similar to human drugs for the same disease. Such injections are made intramuscularly.

Sometimes the dog can fall into what is called status epilepticus. In dogs, it can last quite a long time, and the signs resemble one prolonged seizure. If there is a suspicion that the epistatus has begun in the dog, then it must also be hospitalized.

Treatment of epilepsy in dogs

Now it's time to answer the question: how to cure epilepsy in dogs? Before starting treatment, the owner will have to conduct a comprehensive examination of his pet. In the veterinary clinic, the dog will take an x-ray of the abdominal cavity, take blood for examination and analyze the frequency and course of the attacks themselves.

In the event that objective causes of seizures are not identified, it will be considered that the dog has congenital epilepsy. Typically, epileptic seizures in dogs with the congenital form are rare and not intense. The pet quickly gets used to them and easily tolerates them.

In this case, no special therapy is required. If the epileptic seizures in the dog have become more frequent, and their duration has also increased, then the owner must definitely show his pet to the veterinarian. Only a specialist will be able to say unequivocally: how to treat epilepsy in dogs.

It is worth knowing that it is almost impossible to completely cure a dog of epilepsy. The maximum that can be achieved is to alleviate the suffering of the animal during seizures and significantly reduce the number of seizures until they disappear completely.

Therapeutic treatment is necessary for any individual if there are frequent attacks of epilepsy in a dog (more often than once a month). After the examination, the veterinarian will prescribe epilepsy medicine for dogs. In this case, a prerequisite is the strict observance by the owner of the animal of all the instructions of the specialist. First of all, this concerns the dosage of prescribed drugs.

It should be remembered that any "amateur" can greatly worsen the health of the dog. In addition to medication, veterinarians usually recommend that owners of their four-legged patients change their dog's diet. Most often, various vitamin complexes are added to the pet's usual food, primarily containing B vitamins, as well as manganese and magnesium.

Unfortunately, we do not have normal veterinary clinics in every region. Moreover, in some parts of our country it is impossible to purchase even drugs for epilepsy for dogs. However, this does not mean that you need to resort to non-standard methods.

With the diagnosis of epilepsy in dogs, treatment with folk remedies is unacceptable. This can cause irreparable harm to your pet.

Don't despair if your veterinarian has diagnosed your pet with canine epilepsy. Treatment is, of course, possible. With proper care and therapeutic procedures, a dog suffering from epilepsy will be exactly the same as his healthy relatives.

Is there a cure for epilepsy in dogs? Unfortunately no. Even with good treatment, the disease will not go away at all, but it will be possible to get rid of painful attacks almost forever.

Sudden seizures in a pet are terrifying, and many owners panic if their dog is diagnosed with epilepsy.

Can an animal live with this disease fully? What are the causes of the development of the disease? Epilepsy in dogs: symptoms and treatment will be discussed in more detail below.

Epilepsy is a consequence of a neurological disorder that occurs in the brain of an animal. Exists two forms diseases:

• primary (genetic);
• secondary (acquired).

In the first case an attack occurs in individuals aged from six months to 3 years. Until now, scientists cannot figure out exactly how this form of the disease is transmitted.

Attention! Epilepsy can develop in any breed of dog. Most often, the disease manifests itself in young animals (in this case, a genetic factor is more likely).

In pets older than 5 years, epilepsy is usually the result of an injury.

Epilepsy in dogs: treatment, how to stop seizures

The entrance takes place in 4 stages:

• changes in behavior (a few days or hours before the seizure);
• "Aura";
• actual seizure (ictal stage);
• postictal stage.

Signs of Epilepsy in Dogs and Seizure Stages

Before the attack the animal behaves restlessly, suffers from insomnia, experiences headaches. The onset of the seizure is called "Aura": the dog is agitated, trembling, trying to hide or run away, whining, drooling profusely.

Actual seizure stage (ictal) lasts up to 3 minutes. During it, the pet falls, breathes heavily, the muscles contract involuntarily and strongly, the paws twitch, the eyes roll back. These are typical signs of epilepsy in dogs. During a seizure, the animal can bite its tongue, so blood impurities are observed in the saliva. Convulsions lead to involuntary bowel movements.

postictal stage ends the epileptic seizure. During it, the animal is confused, walks from corner to corner, does not recognize the owners. Some individuals are temporarily blind.

Important! The postictal stage is different for everyone: some pets sleep, others behave restlessly, whine and rush from side to side.

The symptoms of epilepsy in dogs vary depending on the type of seizure:

1. generalized seizure- the dog falls unconscious, the limbs become "stone". After 10-30 seconds, the paws begin to move, the pet makes chewing movements. At the same time, the pupils dilate, saliva flows profusely, the animal can urinate. This type of attack usually indicates the primary form.
2. Small epileptic seizure (absence)- this type is rare. The dog's eyes are bulging, sometimes they can roll back.
3. Partial attack- begins in only one part of the body. Muscles twitch, head may turn involuntarily. This type often develops into a generalized one.
4. Partial seizure (behavioral)- the dog behaves strangely and unusually, may experience fear or other emotions. This type is accompanied by hallucinations, so the pet hides, shows aggression, howls and demonstrates other unusual behavior for him.
5. Multiple seizures- several attacks in a row are repeated in a short period.
6. Epileptic status- lasts more than 30 minutes, consciousness is not restored, such a state is life-threatening.

What to do if an attack starts?

Epilepsy in dogs: treatment, how to stop seizures will be described in detail below. If your pet has a seizure, Remove children and pets from the premises as soon as possible. Try to lay the dog on a soft surface, remove objects from it that it can be injured during a seizure. Don't touch the animal's mouth and do not try to get the tongue - the pet does not control itself and may bite you. Dim the lights in the room, moisten the pet's stomach with cool water.

Important! Record the beginning and end of the seizure. After it is over, take the animal to the veterinary clinic (this should also be done if the attack lasts more than half an hour).

If the pet has had seizures before, prepare anticonvulsants in advance (the name and dosage will be prompted by the veterinarian) and inject them into the muscle at the next attack.

Treatment of epilepsy in dogs

Epilepsy cannot be cured permanently, but with the help of drugs to really minimize the risk of seizures. Treatment of epilepsy in dogs is carried out using medications:

• Phenobarbital (inhibits the activity of the central nervous system);
• Potassium bromide (used in severe cases);
• pagluferal();
• Cavinton (improves blood circulation in the brain);
• Enap (reduces blood pressure to normal levels,);
• Magnesia (expands blood vessels, has an anticonvulsant effect);
• Ketanov (for pain).

Treating epilepsy in dogs at home according to the scheme, which is selected exclusively by the veterinarian. The course is prescribed after examining the animal and studying the duration and nature of the attacks. Drugs are selected gradually, starting with the minimum dosages. Gradually increase them (the goal is to maximize the time interval between seizures).

Attention! A dog with epilepsy takes drugs for life.

How to care for a dog with epilepsy?

The room should be safe, because you will not be able to stay with your pet around the clock. If it is necessary to leave the animal alone, first remove all sharp, breaking and other dangerous objects, as a seizure can occur at any time.

A pet suffering from this disease excessive emotional and physical stress is contraindicated. Constantly monitor the condition of your dog: if suddenly she starts to worry, immediately call the doctor who observes her. Foods containing magnesium and vitamin B should be included in the animal's diet.

Epilepsy is not a death sentence. If the veterinarian correctly selected the regimen for taking drugs, you will forget about seizures for a long time, and your pet will live a long and fulfilling life. But don't forget that a seizure can happen at any time, so note any changes in your pet's behavior.

For more information, check out the video on diagnosing and treating epilepsy in a dog: