How often do dogs with epilepsy have seizures?

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that can cause unpredictable seizures in dogs and other animals. Seizures are a sign of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, and they can range from mild to severe in their intensity. For dogs with epilepsy, episodes of seizures are typically recurrent and may occur several times a year or more. This can be a cause of distress and discomfort for the affected animal and its family. In this blog post, we will discuss how often dogs with epilepsy have seizures, what factors can impact the frequency of these episodes, and what treatments are available to manage the condition. We’ll also look at the importance of seeking veterinary advice for dogs with epilepsy and how owners can help reduce their pet’s stress levels during seizure episodes. Additionally, we’ll examine the current research and clinical findings related to the frequency of seizures in dogs with epilepsy.

Help! My dog is on medication but continues to have seizures. What should I do?

Anti-convulsants used for seizure control don’t aim to prevent seizures in animals. Although this would be nice, it’s not realistic. However, medication should reduce the frequency, duration, and intensity of seizures. Request a quick blood test if your pet’s breakthrough seizures persist in a quantity that worries you to make sure the medication level is therapeutic.

Ask your veterinarian about adding another medication, such as bromide or phenobarbital, depending on which one your pet already takes. You may also want to speak with a specialist if the level is therapeutic but your pet still experiences seizures.

IS THE EVENT A SEIZURE?

There are numerous actions, situations, and illnesses that resemble a genuine seizure (Table 1).

Table 1. Atlantoaxial subluxation, breed- and drug-induced dyskinesia/movement disorders, cataplexy, narcolepsy, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep disorder, cervical muscle spasm, episodes of neuromuscular disease, exercise-induced collapse, extreme agitation, head bobbing/tremor syndromes, intermittent decerebrate/decerebellate rigidity, and jaw clenching are just a few of the behaviors, events, and diseases that have

Many human doctors believe that electroencephalography (EEG), which records the electrical activity of the brain, is a crucial tool for identifying seizure events (Figures 1-3). EEG is not a commonly used clinical tool in veterinary medicine, and an epileptic human or dog’s first EEG recorded in between seizures only has about a 25% chance of correctly identifying the event as a seizure. 7.

Comparing the observed event to what is thought to be a typical seizure is the most common way to identify a seizure.

Generalized tonic clonic seizures typically last 1 to 2 minutes, and characteristically feature loss of consciousness, muscle tone and movement (tonic/clonic), jaw chomping, and profuse salivation, followed by gradual return to consciousness and normal ambulation.

Partial or nonconvulsive seizures are more difficult to recognize, with the latter requiring an EEG recording during the event.8

While classification of events in human medicine solely based on description (without EEG) is accurate, it also permits the overdiagnosis of nonepileptic events as seizures. Because of these factors, observation has a high sensitivity, low specificity, and a low positive predictive value. Clinicians should be aware that they might be using an AED to treat nonepileptic events as a result. 10.

WHICH AED SHOULD BE CHOSEN FOR THERAPY?

It is still unclear and debatable when and which AED should be used in a clinical setting (see Studies Evaluating AED Efficacy & Safety). Some reasonable guidelines for seizure management are to:

Use one medication at a time

Choose medications with best efficacy, lowest cost/dosing interval, fewest side effects, and lowest risk of toxicity.

In Table 3, AEDs are listed in the order that most of the neurologists in our clinic use them. 11,19.

When to Change. AEDs may need to be changed due to side effects or ineffectiveness. Only about 70% of dogs are well controlled on an AED, according to studies17, and less than half of dogs taking phenobarbital and/or bromide have seizure-free periods without experiencing any unfavorable medication-related side effects. 20.

Although treating with multiple AEDs may be advantageous because they work on a wider range of mechanisms or synergistically, doing so comes with the risk of additive side effects and makes it challenging to determine which AED is most effective. As a rule, I advise using only one AED at a time; as a result, AEDs frequently need to be switched out rather than added.

FAQ

How often is too often for a dog to have seizures?

If your dog continues to experience seizures and their frequency increases to once a month or twice to three times a month, medication will eventually be necessary. Talk with your veterinarian.

How many seizures is too many seizures for a dog?

Consider it an emergency if your dog had their first seizure or if they had several in the space of 24 hours. If your pet is experiencing cluster seizures or prolonged grand mal seizures and does not previously have a history of seizures, Dr. Frione.

What triggers seizures in epileptic dogs?

Owners frequently mention stress as a trigger, and it can be brought on by a number of things, including changes in the environment, shifts in routine, car rides, thunderstorms, and doctor visits, to name a few. Other dog owners claim that some foods or medicines cause their dog to have seizures.

How Long Can dogs live with epilepsy?

The average lifespan of an epileptic dog was two years. 3 years. Females lived longer with epilepsy than males (P = . 036). Primary generalized seizures versus focal seizures did not significantly affect survival time.