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What Is A Seizure?
A seizure is a medical condition where the brain’s neural activity has a sudden and uncontrolled outburst. It also goes by the name of epilepsy or epileptic seizure. The reason for this condition depends on various factors, which might include:
- Stress and anxiety
- Poor Metabolism
- Medication
- Hereditary
- External Injury
- Medication Side Effects
- Other severe medical conditions, which might affect the brain
Dog Seizures And How Is It Different?
Epilepsy in dogs is more common in the animal world. Not much of the other members of the animal kingdom seem to be affected by seizures as compared to the canines. Whilst the condition of seizures in dogs does not differ (abnormal brain activity) from humans, the cause varies a lot from us.
The primary cause of seizures in dogs is hereditary. It has been estimated that 0.5% to 5.7% of the canine population is affected by this medical condition. Also, the breed of dogs seems to play an important role. The dog breed of Belgian Shepherd has a higher rate of epileptic seizures that the other ones.
In addition, metabolic issues or trauma can also result in epileptic seizures with the canine community.
Seizure Types
The most common three types of seizures in dogs are described as below:
- Reactive
When seizures are caused due to some discrepancies in metabolism, they are termed as reactive seizures. Poor metabolic activity usually includes renal or hepatic failure, low levels of blood sugar and many more
- Secondary
The secondary epilepsy is also known as symptomatic epilepsy. The cause of this kind is attributed to trauma like stroke, tumors in the brain and many more
- Primary
This type of epilepsy is also known by the name of idiopathic epilepsy. When an epileptic seizure cannot be fitted into the above two categories, then they are categorized into this section. No specific factor could be determined for this kind of seizure.
Dog Seizure Symptoms
The seizure symptoms in dogs include the below characteristics:
- Involuntarily moving their heads or any limbs
- Uncontrolled drooling
- Anxiety and restlessness
- Inability to move on its own
- Unable to detect the surroundings
- Loss of consciousness
While the above list provides the most common symptoms, there are other symptoms, which are better diagnosed by professional vets.
Do’s and Don’ts In Case Of Epileptic Seizure in Dogs
It is extremely important to handle a seizure episode with being panicked and following the vet’s instructions carefully. The pet should not sense any kind of abandonment because that would deteriorate the situation even more.
Do’s
- Remain Calm
- Make sure the pet is in a lying position
- Provide comfort to the pet
- Take notes of the seizures in terms of their frequencies, duration or any other relevant and important information related to the seizures
Don’ts
- In any situation, do not leave your pet alone
- Make them stay away from hazards like stairs, other animals, fire, water, etc.
- Do not try to hold their mouth in fear that they would ‘swallow their tongues’ thus preventing yourself from getting bitten
