Treating epilepsy in dogs
Epilepsy can be a source of distress for dog owners, especially the first time the pet experiences a seizure.
Idiopathic epilepsy can appear in dogs aged 6 months to 6 years old and is considered a hereditary disease. Certain breeds have a greater predisposition to epilepsy (for example Cocker Spaniels, Beagles or Belgian Shepherds), so dogs diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy should not be used for breeding purposes.
Phases of epilepsy in dogs
- Aura: moment leading upto seizures. The most common signs are changes in the dog’s behaviour, usually subtle, and include attention seeking, restlessness and anxiety.
- Ictal: this is when the epileptic seizure occurs. It can last from a few seconds to several minutes. The dog becomes stiff and falls to the ground with spasmodic movements. It will lose consciousness and in many cases sphincter control.
- Post-ictal: the period after the seizure. The dog may be disorientated. The patient may sometimes suffer temporary blindness, deafness or other neurological deficits.
Diagnosis
The tests recommended to identify a possible underlying cause of seizures include:
- Anamnesis
- Complete physical and neurological examination
- Blood test: blood chemistry, blood count and pre- and postprandial bile acids
- Abdominal ultrasound and chest X-ray
- Magnetic resonance imaging
- Cerebrospinal fluid analysis
- PCR tests: to rule out infectious diseases
- DNA tests: to rule out genetic conditions
Treating epilepsy in dogs
There is no cure or preventive treatment for epilepsy, butdrug therapy reduces the clinical signs of the disease. The treatment objective is to restore a normal life for the dog and its owner by fully controlling seizures and minimising any side effects. The aim is to reduce the frequency, severity and duration of seizures until acceptable for the owner.
Advising and educating owners about the disease is vital to treatment success. Owners must understand that epilepsy is a chronic health problem and its prognosis is hard to predict. They must make an emotional and economic commitment and invest time to achieve positive results.
Ideally, a single antiepileptic agent should be used to avoid drug interactions and facilitate administration by the client. The two most commonly used drugs for treating epilepsy in dogs are phenobarbital and potassium bromide. There are alternatives such as gabapentin, levetiracetam or zonisamide; but they are much more expensive and do not seem to be any more effective than the previous two options.
Regular follow-ups should be scheduled to measure serum concentrations of the antiepileptic drugs, blood counts and blood chemistry. If the patient gains weight or suffers diarrhoea, liver function should be assessed to adjust the dose. These check-ups at the veterinary clinic will also give owners the chance to ask any questions that come up.
