Canine Seizures: What You Need To Know
Posted on 11. Nov, 2017 by admin in Canine Health
Canine Seizures: What You Need To Know
There are several different types of canine seizures that you may want to know about. A partial only affects a small area or just one side of the body. The most common type is a grand mal. The dog will fall over, go into convulsions, salivate, urinate and defecate involuntarily, and be unaware of surroundings. In a petit mal, the animal looks like it simply passed out, as there is no convulsing.
Three distinct stages of a seizure can be observed if you watch closely. In the first stage, the aura, the animal will seem restless, pace, salivate heavily, or whine. The fit itself is called the ictus. Look for the dog to collapse, have body spasms, vomit, etc. During the postictal stage, or recovery, he might appear disoriented and uncoordinated. Sometimes there is also temporary blindness. This phase will last anywhere from minutes to several days.
Even in current times, we do not know the exact triggering of these episodes. It has been observed by many owners and veterinarians that attacks are most often triggered while the dog is in a state of excitement. Being happy to see people come in the door or just in general play is sometimes enough for those affected. Some dogs have also been known to seizure while asleep.
Many various conditions can be the cause of episodes of this sort. One of these culprits is called diabetes mellitus. Like humans, canines can have this metabolic disease. The pancreas doe not produce enough insulin, causing dangerously elevated glucose levels. Or sometimes they’re too low, which is called hypoglycemia.
Taking in or being exposed to any number of toxins can also be a contributing factor. One example would be antifreeze, also known as ethylene glycol. Attractive to pets due to its sweet aroma and taste, it is highly dangerous and can kill even a large dog with a very small dose. It does this by forming crystals on the kidneys, systematically shutting down the body. Also avoid giving chocolate due to it toxicity.
There is a very deadly virus called canine distemper that also causes fits. Highly contagious and often fatal, it will thoroughly ravage every system in the dog’s body in time. It’s excruciatingly painful for the animal. However, the virus can easily be avoided if your pet is given the proper vaccination each and every year.
These are common culprits of seizures but certainly not all of the possibilities. If a veterinarian runs multiple tests and still cannot find a direct cause, he will usually diagnose your pet as having epilepsy. This only means that the animal is repeatedly seizuring without it being caused by another condition. It is thought that a chemical imbalance in the brain leads to misfiring of neurons which causes the episode. It usually shows up between the ages of six months to five years.
If your dog goes into canine seizures, the best thing you can do is remain calm. Remove any other animals or small children from the room. To prevent injuries from a fall, put him on the ground if he isn’t already and away from sharp objects. It’s a myth that they will swallow their tongue, so avoid putting your hand in their mouth; you might get bitten. Observe your pup closely so you can describe the episode to your vet. They should be called immediately if it goes on for over three minutes or has an immediate repeat.
Sandra DeMers is the author of Cory’s Story, the tale of just how one dog overcome canine epilepsy that’ll unquestionably AMAZE you. Visit her website for a great deal of know-how and helpful information on canine seizures.
