Idiopathic Seizures in Dogs

Watching a dog undergoing a seizure can be one of the most worrisome experiences dog owners may have to endure. The good news is that most of the time, dogs appear to recover quickly as if nothing ever happened. What may concern dog owners in the long run is dealing with seizures of unknown origin. These types of seizures are known in the medical field as ”idiopathic seizures.”

Identification

A seizure is also commonly known as an epileptic attack, a fit or a convulsion. These terms all ultimately depict the same condition. Dr. John McDonnell, a board certified veterinary neurologist, defines a seizure in an article for Pet Place as a physical manifestation of sudden electrical discharge of the neurons in the dog’s brain, causing involuntary contractions and abnormal sensations and behaviors. When the term ”idiopathic” is used to define seizures, it simply means that no identifiable cause has been attributed to the seizure disorder.

Predisposition

There appears to be a predisposition for idiopathic seizures in certain dog breeds. This means that there is a genetic component when it comes to developing these seizures. Breeds predisposed to idiopathic seizures include German shepherds, keeshonds, Belgian tervurens, beagles, Irish setters, Saint Bernards, poodles, wirehaired fox terriers, cocker spaniels, Labrador retrievers and golden retrievers. Because of this condition being heritable, breeders should remove dogs affected by epilepsy and their first-degree relatives from the breeding pool.

Incidence

Statistics show that idiopathic seizures occur anywhere from 0.5 to 5.7 percent of all dogs, according to Thomas K. Graves, a board certified veterinarian who works as a private practitioner in Rochester, New York.

Diagnosis

A vet will have the dog undergo a battery of tests to diagnose seizures. He’ll order these tests to possibly find an underlying cause before defining the seizures as idiopathic. The first step is performing a physical examination and collecting a medical history of the dog. Tests may include complete blood counts, serum biochemistry panels, toxin screenings, urinalysis and fecal examination.

Treatment

When no identifiable cause is found and the diagnosis leans toward idiopathic seizures, treatment aims to reduce the severity and frequency of the seizures. Owners should therefore accept the fact that it is rare to completely eliminate all seizure activity from dogs affected by these type of seizures. The most common method to control seizure activity in dogs is through the administration of anticonvulsant drugs per veterinarian recommendation. The most commonly prescribed drugs are Phenobarbital, Potassium Bromide and Diazepam.