Different Types Of Canine Seizures And Their Potential Causes

Different Types Of Canine Seizures And Their Potential Causes

Seizures are terrifying and can happen to dogs as well as humans. Here’s what you need to know about canine seizures.

Causes

There are countless potential causes of seizures in dogs, including:

  • Poisons or toxins
  • Infection
  • Epilepsy
  • Head injury
  • Brain trauma
  • Brain tumor
  • Encephalitis
  • Liver disease
  • Unbalanced blood sugar
  • Neurological conditions
  • Kidney failure
  • Stroke

Phases

Most seizures have different phases. This is what that’s like for dogs:

  • Stage 1: Prodromal Phase. During this phase, which lasts anywhere from hours to days, which not all dogs have, you may notice minute behavioral changes. This is before the actual seizure happens.
  • Stage 2: Pre-Ictal Phase. Right before a seizure (between hours to seconds), a dog may experience obvious behavioral changes, like salivation, nervousness, whining, trembling, and clinginess.
  • Stage 3: Ictal Phase. This phase is when the seizure actually happens. If it lasts longer than 5 minutes, your dog needs emergency care.
  • Stage 4: Post-Ictal Phase. This is the phase after the seizure and is similar to a “hangover” in that the body is trying to cope with the seizure trauma.

Types of Seizures

There are a few kinds of seizures a dog can have, including:

1. Generalized Seizures

These happen when both sides of the brain misfire, leading to your dog falling to the floor. Atonic, tonic, tonic-clonic, clonic, absence, and myoclonic seizures are all generalized seizures.

2. Partial Seizures

These occur when only one area of the brain encounters an issue. Simple partial seizures usually involve a conscious dog, while complex partial seizures have them more disoriented.

3. Cluster Seizures

These are multiple seizures within a short span of time, usually with regained consciousness between them.

4. Status Epilepticus

These seizures last for 30 minutes or more, or are several seizures without regained consciousness between them.

Bring your dog to a vet immediately if you think they are having a seizure.

Feature Image Source: Pixabay

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