CANINE EPILEPSY

Abnormal electronic activity in brain that triggers uncoordinated and senseless messages to the body causing involuntary contractions of muscles is epilepsy. When epileptic symptoms occur on canine breeds it is canine epilepsy. Canine epilepsy is broadly divided as idiopathic epilepsy (primary epilepsy) and symptomatic epilepsy (secondary epilepsy).

In idiopathic epilepsy, no external symptoms or brain damages other than the epileptic symptoms can be seen. Idiopathic epilepsy is mostly hereditary. First seizures of idiopathic epilepsy usually occur within the first five years of the dog’s life. In Symptomatic epilepsy, external symptoms and brain damages other than epileptic symptoms can be seen and a specific cause for the seizures can be found. Idiopathic epilepsy is common among Beagles, Belgian Nervures, Keeshonds, Dachshunds, British Alsatians, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and Collies but symptomatic epilepsy is common for all breeds.

Epileptic seizures can be divided broadly into two categories as Grand mal (Tonic-Clonic) and Petite mal (partial or focal) seizures. Grand mal seizures affect the whole body of the canine. It is the most serious type of seizure. The symptoms of a Grand mal seizure can be divided into five phases or specific steps.

The first phase is the pre-ictus. A very slight change of the behavioral pattern of the dog takes place and can be seen only if observed carefully. This phase starts about 30 minutes before the actual seizure. The next phase is the Aura. It gives a warning of the oncoming seizure. Baseless fear, salivating, vocalizing, shaking of ears, unorganized breathing and unfocused eyes are the basic symptoms of the aura.

The actual seizure starts with the Tonic phase. The dog falls down to the ground and vocalizations increase. The body gets rigid and the head is turned upwards. Next the seizure moves to the clonic phase. In this phase, the muscles of the dog start to move rhythmically. Head and limbs jerk to a rhythm during this phase. Vocalizing lessens and salivating increases. This phase may end suddenly by the dog falling unconscious. The consciousness is regained within few minutes. The clonic phase ends the actual seizure.

The last phase of the seizure is the post-ictus. This phase may last from 2 hours to 48 hours. The dog may get temporarily arrogant or blind. It may not answer your calls and it may get senselessly scared. Taking food senselessly also is a common symptom of the post ictus. During the post ictus, even a small excitement can trigger a seizure so the dog must be looked after with care.

Partial seizures are affected to a certain part of the body only. They can be divided into two categories as simple focal seizures and complex focal (psychomotor) seizures. In simple focal seizures the consciousness is not altered. Only a specific organ is affected by the seizure. Usually a limb or a part of the face is affected. The seizure can gradually spread to a Grand mal seizure but such instances are very rare. The dog usually gets very alert after a simple focal seizure.

In psychomotor seizures the consciousness is slightly altered and may shiver slightly and even salivate slightly. Psychomotor seizures affect only a part of the brain and the other parts of the brain are working in the normal order while the seizure is taking place. This increases the risk of a possible brain damage. Common symptoms of psychomotor seizures are trying to catch imaginary flies, bumping senselessly, trying to climb walls and trees and repeating senseless activities for a few minutes.

Canine epilepsy cannot be prevented easily, but can be controlled by regular medical treatment. Therefore it is the duty of the owner to give proper medical treatment and care for the pet if it shows any epileptic symptoms. Most of the hazards of seizures can be prevented by taking simple safety measures.

References: http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/

Indike Perera
Grade 11-E
Dharmaraja College Kandy

Date : 5/28/2009