Epilepsy in dogs is no less dangerous than a similar disease that develops in humans. Like any chronic malaise, it requires constant monitoring and careful selection of a treatment mechanism that alleviates symptoms and improves the quality of life.
Epilepsy in dogs - causes
Dogs are more predisposed to this disease than cats, ferrets and guinea pigs. The owner of an animal that has experienced seizures should be aware of what caused the problem. The causes of epilepsy in dogs are diverse:
- dysfunction of brain electrical activity;
- damage to brain cells and the nervous system;
- genetic disorders;
- serious poisoning;
- infection;
- injuries;
- change in the metabolic system.
Types of epilepsy in dogs
The mechanism of the course of the disease depends on the species that is found in a particular dog. There are primary and secondary forms of neurological disorder with seizures. Signs of epilepsy in dogs of a primary nature are clearly defined:
- "True" epilepsy occurs in animals that live with a sick dog and related blood. It has a genetic mutation, so seizures occur at an early age. The first attack occurs in the interval from several months to 2-3 years.
- Congenital epilepsy in dogs is common among breeds such as dachshunds, poodles, collies, boxers, Irish setters, St. Bernards, German shepherds and cocker spaniels .
Secondary form of the disease occurs due to external factors. This means that the pet was not predisposed to her by birth, but one of the diseases so weakened the immune and nervous systems that they came under attack. Secondary epilepsy in dogs is generated by one of the following factors:
- ingestion of salts of heavy metals, poisons and toxins;
- electric shock;
- cardiovascular diseases with arrhythmia and edema;
- brain tumor;
- leaching of calcium from the body;
- worms and other parasites;
- encephalitis and other infections transmitted from ticks or other dogs.
Epilepsy in dogs - symptoms
Some of the signs are manifested in advance, which gives a chance to prevent a full manifestation of an attack. In a healthy pet, their appearance is impossible, so you can not turn a blind eye to them. Signs of epilepsy in a dog begin with an unconsciousness and a sudden drop to the side, and then the symptoms develop in this order:
- contraction of muscles and limbs (convulsions);
- strabismus or sagging of the eyes;
- uncontrolled emptying of the bladder and intestines;
- the appearance of foamy saliva and reflexive compression of the jaw.
How does epilepsy manifest itself in dogs?
Since the seizure can last from a few seconds to 20 minutes, the manifestation of the disease affects the pet differently. Knowing how to determine epilepsy in dogs, the host will understand what she is experiencing:
- Most of them hide from people under the bed or in a dark place. The dog presses his ears and tail, whines, not realizing what is happening to her.
- Together with the cramps comes fatigue: an attack based on - a colossal waste of energy.
- The state of affect that causes epilepsy in dogs can cause it to bite a person, even if she is familiar with it.
Epileptic seizures in dogs
Seizures consist of three stages, but only two of them allow to stop the disease. At first, the use of any medication may not work: the pet should either continually take the medication, or receive them symptomatically. "What to do with epileptic seizures in dogs?" - the answer to this question depends on the stage and symptoms of the disease. Veterinarians classify them as:
- Aura of a fit. Sharp deterioration of state of health and the appearance of anxiety. A dog can refuse food or water, get nervous and wiggle when walking.
- The ictal stage. There is a loss of consciousness and a fall, because the pet limbs are stone, and the head is thrown back. Due to the fact that the paws constantly bend and unbend, it seems that the dog is running.
- The postictal stage. When the attack departs, the dog is lost in space. It can temporarily go blind or become deaf.
Behavior of a dog after an attack of epilepsy
The condition of the pet 30 minutes after the attack is depressing. Weakness and energy costs deprive the dog of the will: appetite at zero, there are no expressions of emotions to the master, and drowsiness makes the animal literally fall asleep standing up. Symptoms of an epileptic attack in a dog should encourage the owner to think that the main thing that she needs is care and comfort. If she stumbles on objects, you do not need to shout at her for it.
How to help a dog with epilepsy?
If the seizure lasts more than 30 minutes, the dog urgently needs the help of a specialist. No matter how strong the cure for epilepsy in dogs is, a serious attack can lead to death. In any case, the owner can help the pet by strength. The first aid algorithm for seizures includes:
- Proper placement of the dog's body during epileptic paralysis. A small pillow or a folded towel should be placed under the head. Since the animal is prone to involuntary bowel movement, it is possible to use a diaper or absorbent diapers.
- Stroking and supporting the pet. The dog already thinks that she is doing something wrong: her movements can not be limited or forced to stand up.
- Reducing the risk of asphyxiation. Some owners think that they will help the dog if they try to open the jaw so that it does not swallow the tongue. In the animal's mouth, foreign objects can not be inserted: epilepsy in dogs can provoke involuntary swallowing of vomit.
How to treat epilepsy in dogs?
The main therapy prescribed by a qualified physician will be aimed at minimizing seizures. Ideally, they should stop completely: but the treatment of epilepsy in dogs is done by selecting the most effective drug. It is not worth hoping for an instant, persistent result, but the following drugs are considered more effective:
- Diazepam. Provides control over the depth of seizures and helps to stop them in the second stage of development. From the point of view of health, it is absolutely non-toxic.
- Phenobarbital. The drug is considered prescription in many countries, but it does not have such a side effect as drowsiness. Among the consequences of taking the medicine are thirst and frequent urination.
- Primidone. Available in the form of tablets, which slightly complicates the reception. A wide choice of dosage is suitable for both small and large dogs.
Epilepsy in dogs - treatment at home
Folk methods are not used separately from medical methods, because they show the effect of prolonged use. Herbs that help to find the answer to the question of how to stop epilepsy in dogs and complement the treatment, have a calming and normalizing blood circulation to the brain:
- succession;
- liquorice root;
- the root of the pion;
- mint;
- lemon verbena;
- Melissa.
What to feed a dog with epilepsy?
Any disease in the animal will progress if it is fed with heavy food that is difficult to digest. Attacks of epilepsy in dogs should be the reason for making the following adjustments to the diet:
- food should be strictly dietary;
- dry food should consist of a milk-vegetable base;
- Natural food can not be salted or add to it other seasonings;
- the amount of meat and drinking water is temporarily limited.
Prophylaxis of epilepsy in dogs
Measures to protect the animal depend on the manifestations of symptoms. Prevention of primary seizures lies entirely on the shoulders of breeders and clubs that sell puppies to future owners. If they come to the conclusion that the male or female are the carriers of the epilepsy gene, then in good faith they must breed the pet from reproduction. Sometimes such a measure is the only way to control the production of sick animals: for example, myoclonic epilepsy in dogs of coarse-wool breeds (taxis and bassets) is provoked by genetic deformation in 4 individuals of 5 born to a sick mother.
Secondary epilepsy can be regulated only under the condition of excluding the factors that cause aggravation of the disease-catalyst. After the first attack or during the interval between them, the pet should be taken for detailed diagnosis to an experienced veterinarian. The types of epilepsy caused by external factors can be controlled by dogs in a number of cases:
- If the seizures cause regular stress, the animal is created as comfortable as possible for a sensitive psyche - do not introduce it to strangers, do not often change stool and feed, do not scare them for jokes or dressing.
- When the worms cause pain in the digestive tract, the dog begins to get nervous and cramps appear. Once every six months she needs to give a vermilion, and if the pet is in contact with someone during walks, it is advisable to conduct a general analysis of feces every 3-4 months.
- With any of the secondary epilepsies in dogs, the host should not be intimidated by what happens to the dog. She feels the mood of the owner, so his fear will frighten her more and aggravate the state of things. A person with sound mind and strong nerves will be able to fully appreciate the situation and provide assistance.