Grand Mal Seizures in Dogs

Do Grand Mal Seizures Occur in Canines?

Dogs are just like a member of the family. This especially holds true when they get sick or injured. A sick or hurt dog can be devastating, especially when the cause of the illness or injury is unknown. Usually a trip to the vet will take care of the problem, but sometimes the problem is more severe than first thought. Grand mal seizures are a fairly common occurrence in dogs, but often the symptoms go unnoticed or misdiagnosed until much later. These seizures can leave a loved one debilitated, disoriented, or sometimes barely any visible symptoms exist. No matter the breed, size, or age of the animal, grand mal seizures can strike. It is important to understand what the symptoms are, how to stop or slow the progression of grand mal seizures, and what treatment to seek for the puppy.

Most owners will notice if their companion has a seizure attack. In the first phase of a grand mal, the dog can become disoriented and fall to the ground. After a few moments, they can become rigid and lie prostrate for several seconds up to several minutes. After the attack, the pup may hop back up and go about its way, or it may act tired and lethargic. This lethargy may last for up to a day or so.

The exact nature of seizures in dogs is not exactly known, but vets do believe that these episodes are inherited and tend to run more in certain breeds. If they suffer from an obvious convulsion there are some things that the owner should immediately do. Much like with human occurrences, objects that are moveable should be moved away from the seizing dog. The area should remain as quiet as possible. If it is the first time, a call to the vet is in order. Most likely the vet will advise the owner to make an appointment, but sometimes an event is followed quickly by another. In these rare back to back episodes, their life may become compromised and an emergency trip to the vet could be in order.

Grand mal seizure prevention can only happen after a professional diagnosis. Upon an initial consult, the vet will most likely order a battery of tests such as; bloodwork, X-rays, or even a Cat-Scan. These test are more to check to see the extent of the damage that has been caused. If the vet determines that the animal is suffering, there are several courses of treatment available. One, of course, is medication. This medication is a form of potassium bromide, which has been shown to slow the frequency of occurrences in dogs and humans. This medication can be very expensive and sometimes out of the price range of the owner. If that is the case, it is possible to try and keep the furry friend from becoming too excited. Sometimes, seizure prevention is as much about reducing the dog’s stress factors as anything else.

There is much to still be learned about seizure activity in canines. Many will simply begin having convulsions and leave the family feeling helpless. There is medication available as well as reducing noise, excitement levels, and stress when possible. No matter the reason, there is hope and prevention for any one suffering from grand mal attacks.

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