Seizures
Seizures are the result of abnormal neuron activity in the brain and are relatively common in veterinary patients. Seizure events are usually brief (one to two minutes) and self-limiting, but some animals may have prolonged activity (status epilepticus; seizures lasting more than five minutes) or runs of seizures over a period of less than 24 hours (cluster seizures). Status epilepticus and cluster seizures are particularly concerning and can result in death as they lead to increased body temperature and metabolic changes within the body.
Affected Breeds
High risk breeds include: Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Boxer
Symptoms
Classically, seizures manifest as a loss of consciousness, involuntary convulsions, salivation, urination, and increased heart rate. However, some animals with seizures will not exhibit all of the classical clinical signs, making seizures sometimes challenging to recognize and diagnose.
Diagnosis
There are a variety of causes for seizures in animals. Veterinarians often divide the causes of seizure activity into those that arise from physical problems within the brain (i.e. tumors or brain inflammation), those from metabolic issues outside the brain that make seizures more likely, and those with idiopathic causes (genetic problems with chemicals in the brain).
Physical examination, neurological examination, blood work, MRI, and spinal fluid analysis are often used to discern the cause of seizure activity. While reducing the frequency of seizures is very important, ignoring potential underlying causes for seizures is not recommended.
Treatment
Management of seizures will not necessarily eliminate all seizure activity, but it should decrease the frequency and severity of the events. There are multiple anti-seizure medications available for your pet, and the neurology group works with you to determine the best medication options.