3 Common Causes and Epilepsy in Dogs – Dogster

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When your dog has a seizure it’s scary, so educating yourself about the type of seizure they’re having will help you stay calm and act quickly. Here are the three main types of epilepsy in dogs and what causes each type:

1. Reactive or extracranial convulsions in dogs

This type of dog seizure originates elsewhere in the body, but affects the dog’s brain. Most popular reason of reactive seizures are:

• Hypoglycemia – low blood sugar (glucose).
• Hypocalcemia – low calcium levels in the blood.
• Hypothermia – abnormally high body temperature (overheating).
• hypothyroidism – when the thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine, which increases the body’s metabolism.
• Liver failure —many conditions affect the liver, including infections, autoimmune, toxicosis, cancer, and congenital conditions.
• household poison. Products are rich and diverse such as:
  • Chocolate and caffeine
  • Ethylene Glycol (antifreeze)
  • Isopropanol (cleansing alcohol)
  • Xylitol (artificial sweetener)
  • Ethanol is found in alcoholic beverages and raw bread flour.
  • pesticides
  • Poisonous plants in the house.
• Common medications, including pain relievers (aspirin and ibuprofen), antidepressants, asthma medications, antihistamines, cancer medications such as 5-Fluorouacil, Beta-Blockers (heart medications), medications decongestants such as ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, muscle relaxants (Baclofen, Carisoprodol, Methocarbamol, Tizanidine, and Cyclobenzaprine.
• Drugs such as amphetamines, methamphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, and opiates.
• salt poisoning (too much seawater, table salt, even swallowing Play-Dough, common in families with young children.
• Stress and excitement.

2. Structural or intracranial seizures in dogs

This type of seizure is caused by structural or functional changes within the dog’s brain.

• Structural epilepsy, caused by something that directly affects the brain like a tumor
• Brain damaged
• Autoimmune diseases (in which the immune system attacks healthy cells in the body).
• Infectious diseases such as canine disease virus (CDV) and rabies.
• Diseases caused by ticks

3. Epilepsy in dogs

Dr. Jon Naussmedical director at Irvine Valley Veterinary Hospital Primary Care & Integrative Medicine explains that seizures are those “not caused by structural or reactive problems. Instead, it refers to unprovoked seizures that can be inherited and are known as hereditary or idiopathic epilepsy.”

Dr. Nauss explains that epilepsy in dogs can have one of three causes. “First, a direct genetic cause has been identified in some dog breeds. Second, a genetic cause is suspected based on heritage analysis. Third, there is epilepsy of unknown origin, when there is no evidence of a genetic, reactive or structural cause of the seizures,” he added.

Dog breeds prone to epilepsy

Seizures are more common in some dog breeds. Some of the more popular varieties include:

Epilepsy can also affect short-headed (flat-nosed) breeds, such as pug, Boston Terrier And English Bulldog.

My dog ​​is having a seizure! What do I do?

If you think your dog is having a seizure, seek veterinary help immediately. And if your pet has eaten something you’re concerned about, you can seek help from Pet Poisoning Helpline. It’s $85 for a consultation call. https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com TEL. 855-764-7661.