Canine epilepsy

by Dr. Mikel Delgado, PhD

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a disorder where an individual has recurrent seizures. Epilepsy can have a known cause (e.g., a brain tumor) or an unknown cause (known as idiopathic epilepsy). 

Seizures happen when electrical signals in the brain cause neural cells to become too excited. This imbalance leads to physical and behavioral changes, known as a seizure. Seizures can be caused by many things, including systemic disease, brain disorders, exposure to toxins, and low blood sugar.

Seizures are a sign that there is something wrong with how the brain is functioning, but seizures are a symptom, not a disease. Seizures can be focal (affecting one part of the body) or generalized (affecting the whole body).

What are the signs of seizures and epilepsy?

Most dogs with inherited or idiopathic epilepsy begin having seizures as young adults (1-3 years of age).

Focal seizures may lead to twitching of a specific body part (e.g., facial muscles, chewing, paw movements), fearful behavior, or even salivation and vomiting. Generalized seizures may include convulsions, stiffening of the body, loss of control of bladder and bowels, falling over, and severe shaking or trembling. Seizures usually last one to two minutes.

Seizures can happen when a dog is sleeping or at rest, or during activity.

Some dogs may have signs of fear or anxiety before they experience a seizure. After a seizure (known as the postictal period), dogs often experience disorientation, anxiety, and blindness. Other dogs will behave normally after a seizure. Some dogs are neurologically normal between seizure episodes.

Are some breeds more likely to experience epilepsy?

There are several breeds at higher risk for seizures. Some of the more commonly affected breeds include Beagles, Pugs, Border Collies, Boxer Dogs, Cocker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Poodles, Springer Spaniels, and Rottweilers.

What to do if your dog is having a seizure

• Make sure your dog is safe and can’t injure themselves (e.g., fall down stairs)
• Close doors to restrict your dog’s movements during and after
• Stay calm and avoid handling your dog’s mouth - they will not swallow their tongue, but they could bite you
• Do not place anything in the dog’s mouth during a seizure
• Start a timer: If the seizure lasts more than five minutes, your dog needs emergency veterinary care

After a seizure

• Your dog may be disoriented or even unable to see for several hours – contact your veterinarian if this is prolonged, especially if they are behaving aggressively
• Try to keep your dog in a quiet, low-stress environment
• Make note of the seizure in a calendar so you can track episodes, including duration, circumstances (to help identify any possible triggers), and your dog’s behavior before and after
• If your dog has three or more seizures in one day, seek emergency veterinary care

Diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy

Idiopathic epilepsy is generally a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning other causes for the seizures have been ruled out.

Treatment options for epilepsy

If the epilepsy has a known cause (e.g., a brain tumor), in some cases, surgery may reduce or eliminate seizures. For most dogs, some type of medication will be prescribed to control seizures. The goal is to first control seizures, then to find the lowest effective dose for maintenance.

Antiepileptic medication is generally needed for the lifetime of the dog, and some dogs may need multiple medications. Many dogs will require their dose of medications to be increased over time as they develop a tolerance. Medications can have side effects, such as lethargy and digestive upset, so it is important to work closely with your veterinarian to give your dog the best possible quality of life while minimizing the seizures.

Dogs with epilepsy will need routine blood work. If your dog has severe epilepsy, you may also want to work with a veterinary neurologist to support your treatment plan.

Prognosis

Many dogs can live a long and active life with epilepsy medications and routine veterinary care. It is estimated that over two-thirds of epileptic dogs can be well-managed on medication. Some dogs may continue to have seizures, which is why regular veterinary visits can help you monitor and adjust any medication as needed.

Research has shown that caregivers of dogs with epilepsy experience heightened levels of stress, due to the unpredictable nature of seizures, and because they found their dog’s seizures upsetting to witness. If your dog has epilepsy, it may be helpful to find an online support group and to create a local network of friends and family who can support you in your care for a dog with special needs.

Breeding decisions

Dogs may develop seizures after reaching breeding age, making it challenging to prevent all breeding of epileptic dogs. Once diagnosed, dogs with epilepsy should not be bred; epilepsy is believed to be heritable, even though candidate genes have not yet been identified. Based on pedigree analysis in several breeds, close relatives of dogs (siblings, parents, offspring) with epilepsy are also considered at high risk for developing epilepsy themselves and should not be bred.

Resources

Erlen, A., Potschka, H., Volk, H. A., Sauter‐Louis, C., & O'Neill, D. G. (2018). Seizure occurrence in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK: prevalence and risk factors. Journal of veterinary internal medicine, 32(5), 1665-1676.

Heske, L., Nødtvedt, A., Jäderlund, K. H., Berendt, M., & Egenvall, A. (2014). A cohort study of epilepsy among 665,000 insured dogs: incidence, mortality and survival after diagnosis. The Veterinary Journal, 202(3), 471-476.

Kearsley‐Fleet, L., O'neill, D. G., Volk, H. A., Church, D. B., & Brodbelt, D. C. (2013). Prevalence and risk factors for canine epilepsy of unknown origin in the UK. Veterinary Record, 172(13), 338-338.

AAHA: Epilepsy in dogs is harder on owners than we thought. Veterinarians can help.

Canine Epilepsy Network

University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center Canine Idiopathic Epilepsy

VCA: Epilepsy in Dogs