Epilepsy is a recurrent seizure disorder of cerebral origin. When it is due to a blow to the head, or the encephalitis of canine distemper, or bacterial infections of the brain, it is said to be acquired. When it is due to a birth defect, or a malformation of the brain, then it is said to be congenital. Congenital epilepsy, as the name suggests, is really an inherited trait St Bernards, German Shepherds, Poodles and Beagles seem to have a hereditary predisposition for epileptic attacks of unknown causes.
When symptoms of epilepsy begin three to four months after a dog receives a blow to his head, usually it will be found that the dog had been knocked unconscious previously.
If the animal had a bout of encephalitis (an inflammatory condition of the brain), then seizures may appear three to four weeks after the onset of disease. Canine distemper, in particular, is characterized by typical attacks which begin with champing, tongue-chewing, foaming at the mouth, shaking of the head and blinking of the eyes. Later, the dog has a dazed look, and then returns to normal.
To establish a diagnosis of epilepsy, the attacks must be recurrent and similar! A typical epileptic seizure has three phases. The first is called the aura phase. It is recognized by the onset of sudden apprehension and restlessness. There may be bizarre behaviour, such as sniffing in corners or snapping the air. Later on, the champing, chewing, foaming at the mouth, head-shaking and eye-flickering begin.
Then there is the rigid phase, the dog collapses, throws back his head, slobbers, and twitches at the face. His pupils dilate. As the rigid phase begins to pass, he makes running movements with his legs (paddling) as he lies on his side. He may lose control of his bowels and/or bladder.
The third phase is really the post-seizure phase. The dog recovers, but remains confused and wobbly. If stimulated by a loud noise or rough handling, a second seizure can occur.
The first two phases pass quickly (in about three to five minutes)
The post-seizure state can persist for several hours. This might give the impression that the seizure was of long duration. However, a true epileptic seizure is over in less than five minutes.
Stimuli that can trigger a seizure are fatigue, excitement, anxiety, bright lights, loud noises (eg squib explosions), fever, heavy-breathing (hyperventilation) and estrus (when the bitch is in heat).
Not all epileptic seizures are typical. To help make the diagnosis, your veterinarian probably will ask for a description of the attack, and he/she will want to know if the dog has had previous attacks and whether those other attacks followed the same pattern.
Next week we will deal with the treatments of epilepsy.
Please implement disease preventative measures (vaccinations, routine dewormings, monthly anti-heartworm medication, etc) and adopt-a-pet from the GSPCA’s Animal Clinic and Shelter at Robb Street and Orange Walk, if you have the wherewithal to care well for the animals. Do not stray your unwanted pets, take them to the GSPCA’s Clinic and Shelter instead. If you do not wish your pet to have puppies or kittens, you may exploit the GSPCA’s free spay and neutering programme. If you see anyone being cruel to an animal, or if you need any technical information, please get in touch with the Clinic and Shelter by calling 226-4237.
