SEIZURES

What is a seizure?

Seizures are one of the most frequently seen neurological problems in dogs. A seizure is also known as a convulsion or fit. It may have all or any combination of the following:

1. Loss or derangement of consciousness

2. Contractions of all the muscles in the body

3. Changes in mental awareness from non-responsiveness to hallucinations

4. Involuntary urination, defecation, or salivation

5. Behavioral changes, including non-recognition of owner, viciousness, pacing, and running in circles

What are the three phases of a seizure?

Seizures consist of three components:

1. The pre-ictal phase, or aura, is a period of altered behavior in which the dog may hide, appear nervous, or seek out the owner. It may be restless, nervous, whining, shaking, or salivating. This may last a few seconds to a few hours.

2. The ictal phase is the fit or seizure itself and lasts from a few seconds to about 5 minutes. During this period, all of the muscles of the body contract strongly. The dog usually falls on its side and seems paralyzed while shaking. The head may be drawn backward. Urination, defecation, and salivation often occur. If it is not over within 5 minutes, the dog may be in status epilepticus or going from one seizure into another without respite.

3. During the post-ictal phase, there is confusion, disorientation, salivation, pacing, restlessness, and/or temporary blindness. There is no direct correlation between the severity of the seizure and the duration of the post-ictal phase.

Is the dog in trouble during a seizure?

Despite the dramatic signs of a seizure, the dog feels no pain, only bewilderment. Dogs do not swallow their tongues. If you put your fingers into its mouth, you will do no benefit to your pet and will run a high risk of being bitten very badly. The important thing is to keep the dog from falling and hurting itself. As long as it is on the floor or ground, there is little chance of harm occurring. If seizures continue for longer than a few minutes, the body temperature begins to rise. If hypothermia develops secondary to a seizure, another set of problems may have to be addressed.

What causes seizures?

There are many of seizures. Epilepsy is the most common and of least consequence to the dog. The other extreme includes severe diseases such as brain tumors. Fortunately, most are due to epilepsy.

Now that the seizure is over, can anything be done to understand why it happened?

You veterinarian will begin by taking a thorough history concentrating on possible exposure to poisonous or hallucinogenic substances or history of head trauma. He will also carry out a full physical examination including blood tests and an electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG). These tests rule out disorders of the liver, kidneys, heart, electrolytes, and blood sugar level.

If these tests are normal and there is no exposure to poison or recent trauma, under these circumstances you may be referred to a veterinary neurologist for further tests and examinations which could, conceivably, involve more sophisticated tests including MRI, CAT scans and an electroencephalogram. Fortunately, these additional tests are usually not needed.

What can be done to prevent future seizures?

Your dog will generally be prescribed 1-2 weeks of anticonvulsant therapy. If there are no more seizures during that time, the anticonvulsants are then gradually discontinued. The next treatment is determined by how long it takes for another seizure to occur. That may be days, months, or years. At some point, many dogs have seizures frequently enough to justify continuous anticonvulsant therapy. Since that means that medication must be given every 12 to 24 hours for the rest of the dog's life, it is not recommended until seizures occur about every 30 days or unless they last more than 5 minutes.

It is important to avoid sudden discontinuation of any anticonvulsant medication. Even normal dogs may be induced to seizure if placed on anticonvulsant medication and then abruptly withdrawn from it.

You mentioned status epilepticus. What does that mean?

Status epilepticus bears special note. It is characterized by a seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes. When it occurs, the dog's life is endangered. Unless intravenous medication is given promptly, the patient may die. If you think your dog is in status, you should seek treatment immediately.

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