{"id":1362,"date":"2017-02-13T06:00:14","date_gmt":"2017-02-13T06:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/?p=1362"},"modified":"2017-11-14T19:32:37","modified_gmt":"2017-11-14T19:32:37","slug":"canine-seizures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/canine-seizures\/","title":{"rendered":"Canine Seizures"},"content":{"rendered":"

Understanding Canine Seizures\"\"<\/a><\/h1>\n

Seizures are temporary involuntary disturbances of normal brain function that are usually accompanied by uncontrollable muscle activity, and they are one of the most frequently reported neurological conditions in dogs.<\/p>\n

Watching a dog experience seizures is one of the most disturbing things a dog parent can ever experience.\u00a0 The first time your dog seizes in front of you it is very upsetting, but as time goes along, you learn how to deal with them and how to react to keep the dog calm and prevent any trauma.<\/p>\n

Seizures often occur at times of changing brain activity, such as during excitement or feeding or as the dog is falling asleep or waking up.\u00a0 Despite the violent appearance of a seizure, they are not painful.\u00a0 Your dog may feel confusion or panic, and contrary to belief, they do not swallow their tongues or become vicious. Dogs usually appear completely normal between seizures.<\/p>\n

A single seizure is rarely dangerous to the dog, but if there are multiple seizures with a short period of time (cluster seizures), or if a seizure lasts longer than a few minutes (as in a grand mal seizure), this signals a serious medical issue with other sets of problems that must be addressed.<\/p>\n

After a dog has a seizure for the first time, it is recommended that the dog be taken to the veterinarian for an examination. A conversation with the vet should include what the test results are, whether they will wait to see if the seizure was a one-time occurrence, or if there will be more, if\/when treatment should be started and what the medical options are.<\/p>\n

Keep a careful journal of the seizures. As soon as possible, write down the exact time the dog started to seizure and the time the seizure ended. A stop watch or watch with a second hand can be helpful. After the seizure is over and you have time, write down all circumstances surrounding the seizure, such as unusual food eaten, activities that happened during the previous day, medications or vaccinations recently given. A detailed journal can be helpful when bringing your dog to a new vet or neurologist.<\/p>\n

The Four Phases Of A Seizure<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Prodrome:<\/em><\/strong> The pre-seizure phase causes subtle behavioral or mood changes and precedes the actual seizure by hours or even days. Your dog may appear restless and pace, may seek affection, salivate, whine, or hide.\u00a0 This phase may last a few seconds to a few hours. This is when your dog senses that something is about to occur.<\/p>\n

Aura:<\/em><\/strong> Your dog may appear restless and pace, may seek affection, salivate, whine, or hide.\u00a0 This phase may last a few seconds to a few hours. This is when your dog senses that something is about to occur.<\/p>\n

Ictal:<\/em> <\/strong>This signals the start of the seizure, which usually lasts less than 5 minutes. Your dog may appear excited, vomit, salivate, run in circles, collapse, and have uncoordinated muscle activity.<\/p>\n

***If your dog experiences a grand mal, or full-blown seizure with loss of consciousness, all of the muscles in the body contract spastically and erratically. The dog appears to be paralyzed and usually falls over on its side.\u00a0 The head will often be drawn backward. Uncontrollable urination or defecation, along with salivating, may occur.\u00a0 This is considered an extreme emergency, and medical help should immediately be sought.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Post Ictal:<\/em> <\/strong>After the seizure, the recovery period begins. Your dog may seem disoriented, uncoordinated, or may occasionally be temporarily blind or deaf.\u00a0\u00a0 This phase can last from hours to days.<\/p>\n

What Causes Canine Seizures?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

After your dog has a seizure episode your veterinarian will want to take a thorough history and will concentrate on any possible exposures to poisonous or toxic substances or any history of head trauma.\u00a0 He will also perform a physical exam, perform blood and urine tests and in some cases, do an electrocardiogram.\u00a0 All of these tests can rule out disorders of the liver, kidneys, heart, and any problems with electrolyte and blood sugar levels.<\/p>\n

Some of the causes of seizures are:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Congenital defects
\nPrimary or Idiopathic epilepsy\u00a0 (There are no tests for epilepsy, but the tests done will rule out all the other \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 causes of seizures)
\nBlood glucose levels that are too high (diabetes) or too low (hypoglycemia)
\nLow oxygen levels in the blood that could be caused by anemia or heart problems
\nKidney disorders
\nLiver disorders
\nInfections such as distemper
\nBrain tumors
\nToxins, like antifreeze, lead, or chocolate
\nPoisons that include chemical sprays, insecticides, and other chemical products
\nFevers and hypothermia
\nBrain damage resulting from head trauma
\nCertain medications
\nLow calcium in female dogs that are nursing (eclampsia)<\/p>\n

What To Do When Your Dog Has A Seizure\"\"<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n