Epileptic seizures in dogs: causes, symptoms, diagnosis

Epilepsy doctors call the sign of presenceneurological dysfunction present in the brain. Symptoms of epilepsy in a dog often indicate a certain imbalance in the body's bioelectric system, which leads to disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system. Nerve cells in one part of the brain dramatically lose electrical stability, resulting in an electrical discharge. It quickly spreads to the surrounding cells. It is natural therefore that their work is disrupted.

Symptomatology

Signs of epilepsy in dogs oftenmanifested in convulsive twitching of the extremities. Their strength can range from relatively weak movements of the paws to real seizures, during which the entire body of the animal beats convulsively.

Accompanying illnesses

Veterinarians note that epileptic seizuresdogs are often observed against a background of diseases such as heart disease, brain tumor, diabetes, as well as in the presence of problems with the liver and kidneys. True epilepsy, that is, nothing provoked, depends primarily on hereditary predisposition. The reasons for it have not yet been established.

Epilepsy in dogs. Causes and types

As noted above, there are twoa variety of diseases. Doctors say that there is primary and secondary epilepsy in dogs. So, the causes of the disease can be related to external factors, and may be due to genetic disorders. It must be emphasized that epilepsy is to some extent related to the breed of the animal. Most often, seizures suffer from seizures, German shepherds, labradors, husky, poodles, St. Bernards, spaniels, collies, and also coarse-haired terriers.

Diagnostics

Most often the first fit of epilepsy in a dogis observed at the age of up to six years. Of course, such a diagnosis can not be considered a proof of a genetic defect. Confirm it can only be through a thorough examination of the animal. Avoid this disease is currently not possible, but most breeders try to minimize the risks, using for mating only those dogs in whose genus there was not a single carrier of the disease.

Secondary epilepsy

As for secondary epilepsy, in thisthe cause of seizures can be established. Most often, factors such as infectious diseases (for example, plague or encephalitis), chemical poisoning, brain injuries, malnutrition, the presence of parasites (especially helminths) in the body, as well as long-term overvoltage, become the determining factors.

Attacks

In a dog, seizures of epilepsy are divided into threecomponents. The state that precedes the attack is called an aura. The animal behaves very nervously, whimpers, tries to hide. Salivation increases. The next stage is ictal, during which the dog loses consciousness, all of its body is tense, its head is thrown back, breathing is difficult, all limbs jerk convulsively. The postictal period can be accompanied by disorientation and temporary blindness. If the seizure lasts more than half an hour, you need to see a doctor.