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Understanding Types Of Seizures In Dogs

If you’ve ever witnessed your dog having a seizure, you know how scary and overwhelming it can be. As a caring dog parent, understanding the different types of seizures can help you better support your furry friend and communicate effectively with your veterinarian.

What Exactly Is a Seizure?

A seizure happens when there’s abnormal electrical activity in your dog’s brain. Think of it like a power surge that causes the brain’s normal functions to go haywire temporarily. These episodes can look very different depending on which part of the brain is affected.

Generalized Seizures

Generalized seizures affect both sides of the brain and are often what people picture when they think of seizures. The most common type is called a grand mal seizure (also known as tonic-clonic). During this type of seizure, your dog may:

Fall over suddenly
Have violent, jerking movements in all four legs
Paddle their limbs
Drool excessively or foam at the mouth
Lose control of their bladder or bowels
Lose consciousness completely

Other types of generalized seizures include tonic seizures (where limbs become stiff and extended), clonic seizures (with bent, non-jerking limbs), and atonic seizures (where dogs stand and stare but don’t respond).

Focal Seizures

Focal seizures are quite different from generalized seizures. They happen when the abnormal brain activity stays in just one small area of the brain. These seizures can be much harder to recognize because they’re often subtle. Your dog might:

Snap at invisible flies (called “fly-biting”)
Make repeated chewing motions without food
Have twitching in just one eyelid, lip, or ear
Remain somewhat aware of their surroundings

While focal seizures usually don’t require emergency treatment, it’s important to watch your dog closely because they can sometimes develop into generalized seizures.

The Three Phases of Seizures

Most seizures happen in three phases:

Pre-ictal phase: Before the seizure starts, your dog might seem restless, anxious, or behave differently
Ictal phase: This is the actual seizure, usually lasting from seconds to a few minutes
Post-ictal phase: After the seizure, your dog may seem confused, tired, or disoriented. Some dogs even crave food during this recovery period

Classification Based on the Underlying Reasons

When we talk about seizures in dogs, veterinarians also often classify them based on their underlying cause. Given are three important types:

Idiopathic Seizures This is the most common type in dogs. “Idiopathic” means we don’t know the exact cause – there’s no underlying disease or brain injury we can identify. These seizures seem to happen because of the dog’s genetics or brain chemistry. They’re also called “primary epilepsy.” Dogs with idiopathic seizures are usually otherwise healthy and normal between seizure episodes.

Symptomatic Seizures These seizures are a symptom of another health problem. They happen because something is affecting the brain, like:

Brain tumors
Head injuries
Infections in the brain
Liver or kidney disease
Low blood sugar
Poisoning

With symptomatic seizures, treating the underlying cause often helps control the seizures.

Reactive Seizures These seizures are the brain’s reaction to something happening outside the brain. They’re caused by temporary problems like:

Very low blood sugar
Severe dehydration
Heat stroke
Eating something toxic
Severe stress on the body

Once you fix the immediate problem causing reactive seizures, they usually stop happening.

It’s important to note that only your veterinarian can determine which type of seizures your dog might be having. They’ll need to do tests like blood work, possibly brain scans, and examine your dog’s complete health history.

If your dog has had a seizure, it’s crucial to get professional veterinary care right away. Your vet can help figure out what type it is and create the best treatment plan for your furry friend.

When to Seek Emergency Help

Some seizure situations require immediate veterinary attention:

Any seizure lasting longer than five minutes
Multiple seizures within 24 hours (called cluster seizures)
If this is your dog’s first seizure

These situations can be life-threatening and need professional medical intervention right away.

What You Should Do

During a seizure, keep yourself and your dog safe. Move dangerous objects away, time the seizure, and avoid putting your hands near your dog’s mouth. Consider recording a video if possible – this can be incredibly helpful for your veterinarian.

Remember, while seizures can be frightening to witness, many dogs with seizure disorders live happy, normal lives with proper veterinary care. Always consult with your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan tailored to your dog’s specific needs.

Understanding these different types of seizures helps you become a better advocate for your dog’s health and ensures they get the best possible care.

The post Understanding Types of Seizures in Dogs appeared first on Animal Wellness Magazine.

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