Therapy for epileptic seizures may have side effects that, on rare occasions, can be worse than the seizures themselves. Mild side effects are common when first starting treatment for epilepsy in dogs or increasing the dose with Phenobarbitone or Bromide and include increased thirst and appetite, more frequent urination, mild sedation and mild wobbliness in the back legs. Phenobarbitone can have, on very rare occasions, more serious side effects such as liver toxicity and blood abnormality low red blood cells, low platelets and low white blood cell count.
It is however important to be aware of two points regarding side-effects:. Complete blood profiles liver function test and haematology are recommended on a six monthly basis to monitor for the animal for potential side effects. Bromide is a much safer drug by its nature form of salt despite still causing increased thirst and appetite. It is absorbed, distributed within the body and excreted without interfering with the liver.
Its use as a second choice therapy is attributed to the long time it takes to reach efficient blood levels around 3 to 6 months. What are the options if the animal is not responding anymore to anti-epileptic drugs? The first choice drug for use in refractory epilepsy is Bromide in dogs, used in conjunction with Phenobarbitone.
Some dogs may need to be started on a loading dose five times the usual daily dose per day for five days to rapidly get the blood levels within the therapeutic range. If the dog receiving epilepsy treatment is already on Phenobarbitone and Bromide, Gabapentin and Levetiracetam are two newer human anti-epileptic drugs that can be added to the treatment. Rectal Diazepam can be used at home in dogs with a tendency to severe cluster seizures to reduce the total number of seizure events during a cluster.
It is important not to alter or stop the treatment for epilepsy in dogs without veterinary advice. As epilepsy is a condition that cannot be cured, it is very likely that the animal will have to stay on treatment for the rest of its life. Dosage reduction should only be considered if the animal remains seizure-free for at least a year and should be very gradual over many months to prevent precipitating seizure.
If you are concerned about the health of your pet you should contact your veterinary surgeon. Our Neurology team deals with the diagnosis and management of conditions of the nervous system and brain. Read More. A seizure also known as fit is a non-specific short event with an abrupt start and termination.
Loud or sharp noises may prolong the seizure or make it worse. Other animals in the household may be frightened or threatened by the seizuring dog.
Remove them from the immediate area if this is a concern. If you speak to your dog while he is experiencing a seizure, it may comfort him and may smooth the recovery period. Remember: Your dog is unconscious and may do things he would not normally do. Always have your veterinarian or emergency veterinary center phone numbers available.
Call if your dog has a seizure that lasts more than five minutes. If the seizure lasts more than thirty minutes, permanent brain damage may occur if the seizures are not stopped. A dog may have an isolated seizure unrelated to epilepsy. However, even if your dog has just one seizure, a complete physical and neurological examinations are still in order. If no abnormalities are found, you should watch for further seizures. Your vet may not prescribe treatment unless your dog has additional seizures.
Primary epilepsy is also known as idiopathic, genetic, inherited or true epilepsy. There is no test for primary epilepsy; instead your vet must rule out every other possibility. The first seizure in a dog with primary epilepsy usually occurs between the ages of 6 months and 5 years. While primary epilepsy may be genetic inherited , a diagnosis of primary epilepsy is not proof of a genetic defect; only careful breeding studies could prove that.
The breed, age and the history may suggest a genetic basis for primary epilepsy if there is a familial history of seizures. In secondary epilepsy, the cause can be determined—and there are many causes. In dogs less than a year old, the most commonly-found causes of seizures are degenerative diseases, developmental issues, toxic poisoning , infectious diseases such as distemper , metabolic disorders, nutritional issues, or traumatic injury.
What are the causes of epilepsy in dogs? And what are the causes of seizures in puppies? In dogs years of age, a genetic factor is typically suspected. In dogs 5 years and older, most seizures are metabolic related to issues such as hypoglycemia, cardiovascular arrhythmia or cirrhosis or neoplastic related to brain tumors.
Epilepsy is found in all dog breeds including mixed breeds. A seizure log is the first step in treating and monitoring a seizure disorder. Note the time that the seizure began so that you can determine how long the seizure lasts. Since there is no definitive test for idiopathic epilepsy itself, the diagnosis is made by eliminating all other possibilities via blood work, a brain MRI and a spinal tap. There is no cure for idiopathic epilepsy; however, we try to control the frequency, length, and severity of seizures with medication.
Does my dog need medication? How quickly does medication take effect? It can take months to get seizure activity under control, and your pet can continue to have seizures while on medication.
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