The company of a dog brings us great joy and their companionship is invaluable, but at the same time it also carries many responsibilities. When we hear that our pet suffers from a disease such as epilepsy, it is normal to feel sad and upset.
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that results in abnormal electrical activity in the brain's neurons and is often manifested by repeated seizures and other sensory-motor symptoms. If your pet experiences more than two epileptic seizures in a 24-hour period, then you should visit your veterinarian immediately so that he can take the necessary steps to diagnose the condition and, if necessary, administer appropriate antiepileptic treatment.
What are the symptoms of epilepsy in dogs?
The most common symptoms include physical collapse, rigidity, convulsions, muscle twitching, loss of consciousness, drooling and even uncontrolled urination and defecation. They most often fall on their sides and make cycling movements with their legs. Some animals may appear confused and/or dizzy at the end or just before the onset of the seizure.
Epilepsy categories
There are several reasons why a dog may be epileptic, but they generally fall into 3 categories.
1. Structural epilepsy: It is caused by an underlying cause in the brain (bleeding, infection, trauma, tumor, degenerative brain diseases, etc.).
2. Reactive epilepsy: Occurs as a result of a temporary organic problem. It can be due to metabolic changes or poisoning. The condition is most often reversible once the cause of the problem has been treated.
3. Idiopathic epilepsy: When there is no clear cause for the epileptic seizures. However, we believe that it may be a combination of hereditary and environmental causes but the exact cause is difficult to determine. It usually occurs in young animals from 6 months to 7 years of age, but can also occur at older ages. The diagnosis is usually made when the above two categories (structural and reactive epilepsy) have been excluded.
What can trigger an epileptic seizure:
• Stress
• Fatigue
• Toxins
• Medication / Absence of medication
What should I do if my dog has an epileptic seizure?
If you haven't already visited your vet, this is the first thing you should do. Your vet will try to identify the source of the problem and at the same time provide the appropriate treatment for your four-legged friend. Also, after a seizure, it is very important to make sure that you do everything you can to make your dog feel comfortable and safe. It is certainly a traumatic experience for both of you, but you need to gather your strength and remain calm.
Some simple guidelines on how to manage an epileptic seizure:
• Stay calm.
• If possible, move the dog to a safe place so it doesn't get hit.
• Do not get too close to your animal because there is a chance it may exhibit aggressive behavior.
• Keep a diary of the time, day, duration and intensity of the seizure so you can present this information to your veterinarian.
• If seizures are repeated within a 24-hour period or last longer than 3 minutes, contact your veterinarian immediately.
• Remember that at that time the animal is not in pain or suffering.
Why can petchef's cooked food help animals with epilepsy?
What is more important than a delicious and balanced diet? In epileptic dogs without serious underlying health problems e.g. hepatic encephalopathy, azotemia, etc., a balanced cooked food is beneficial. Especially in cases where the animal is on permanent medication for epilepsy, the drugs used, such as potassium bromide or phenobarbital, dehydrate the body leading to deterioration of their health. Petchef's cooked food has higher moisture content compared to conventional kibble and this makes it easier to digest, keeping your animal hydrated for a longer period of time.
Start this nutritional journey with your dog here. 🧡
Enjoy your meal!
Spyrliadis Alexandros DVM MSc
Christou Eugenia DVM
Athens Vet - Modern Veterinary Clinics