Epilepsy in Dogs: Vet-Verified Types, Signs, Causes & Treatment

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REVIEWED & FACT-CHECKED BY

Dr. Marta Vidal-Abarca

Veterinarian, BVSc GPCert (Ophthal) MRCVS

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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There are few things as frightening as seeing your dog have a seizure, also called a fit. Not only do you worry about your best friend’s safety, but you’re also gripped by a truly helpless feeling, as it’s nearly impossible to know exactly what to do in such a stressful situation.

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions seen in dogs, though, so if you’ve witnessed your dog suffer from a seizure, you’re not alone. Here, we’ll fill you in on everything that you need to know about this common condition, including what to do the next time that a seizure strikes.

What Is Canine Epilepsy?

Simply put, epilepsy is a disease that causes recurring seizures marked by a loss of muscle control in the affected dog. Seizures can last a few seconds or several minutes, and they may be one-offs or clusters of several seizures back to back.

The seizures are caused by abnormal bursts of electrical activity in the dog’s brain. The condition can be caused by a problem inside the brain (intracranial causes) or secondary to a metabolic or toxic problem (extracranial causes). Epilepsy also can happen for unknown reasons.

Canine epilepsy is similar to human epilepsy, but it’s not identical. Many people use human terms and experiences to describe what happens to afflicted dogs, but this can often create confusion. Canine epilepsy isn’t as widely studied as human epilepsy, and it’s not yet clear whether the causes, signs, and treatments correlate between the species.

It’s also worth noting that by definition, epilepsy only describes recurring seizures. If your dog has a single seizure and never experiences another one, then there is something else at play, but the animal wouldn’t be said to suffer from epilepsy. Also, if the seizure has a clear cause (eating poison, for example), then the approach is different and the dog is not considered to be epileptic.

Epilepsy can be fairly well controlled, or it can be life-threatening, depending on the length and frequency of the seizures. Regardless, you should take your dog to the vet immediately if you suspect that they’ve suffered from a seizure.

Signs of Epilepsy in Dogs

Epilepsy has a single sign and that’s a seizure. However, seizures can manifest in different ways. How do you recognize if your dog is having a seizure, though?

Seizures can occur without obvious warning, but many dogs will look dazed or unsteady right before one starts. They can lose their balance and begin to stagger, or they may fall over completely.

Many dogs also paddle with their legs, giving the impression that they’re swimming.

Once the seizure is over (or once the seizures are over, if your dog suffers from cluster attacks), they may still seem unsteady on their feet. They may also be disoriented, clumsy, and even temporarily blind. Many dogs suffer from uncontrollable drooling for a few hours, and it’s common for them to find a place to hide afterward.

The Different Types of Seizures That Can Afflict Dogs

There are two main different types of seizures that dogs can suffer from, and they present quite differently.

The most common is the generalized seizure (which is also called a “grand mal” seizure). This affects both sides of the brain, so the entire body is also affected as a result. They can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes.

The second type is the focal seizure. In focal seizures, only one area of the brain suffers the abnormal electrical activity, so the dog’s entire body isn’t affected. During a focal seizure, only one part of a dog’s body is likely to be affected, and they usually don’t last long.

However, in some dogs, focal seizures can transition into generalized seizures.

Some sources describe a third type of seizure, called psychomotor seizure or complex partial seizure. These are marked by strange behavior that lasts a few minutes or so. During a psychomotor seizure, your dog might chase invisible objects or attack things that aren’t there. They may also try to attack their own bodies, usually their tails.

Part of the issue with diagnosing psychomotor seizures is that they often resemble normal (albeit strange) canine behavior. One way to tell if your dog is suffering from this type of seizure is if they always demonstrate the same behaviors every time.

What Causes Canine Epilepsy?

The most common type of epilepsy in dogs is called “idiopathic” epilepsy. This is nowadays considered to be an inherited condition, but it’s unclear what causes the condition in the first place. However, certain breeds (specifically Retrievers) seem to be more prone to being afflicted. Frequent inbreeding can play a role in perpetuating the condition in some breeds.

Structural epilepsy, on the other hand, has a clear, identifiable cause in the dog’s brain. This could be due to a blood clot, tumor, infection, trauma, or other condition. This type of epilepsy may or may not be curable; the epilepsy may also be the least of your concerns, depending on what’s causing it.

Another type of seizure is called “reactive seizure”. This type of seizure has a clear and temporary cause, and it’s not considered to be epileptic in nature. However, certain things that can trigger reactive seizures can also cause trauma to the brain, which could lead to structural epilepsy down the road.

If you have questions about the most common causes of epilepsy in dogs, speaking to a vet may help.

What Can Trigger Seizures in Dogs?

Many seizures strike without warning and have no apparent cause. This is especially true in dogs that suffer from idiopathic epilepsy.

Many dogs also have triggers that are unique to them, so you may identify an issue that affects your pup that’s not listed here.

If your dog suffers from epilepsy, it’s important to try to minimize the risk of a seizure as much as possible by following your vet’s guidance. This can mean reducing their stress levels whenever possible, making sure they follow a routine, take their medication, and having regular check ups at the vet.

If your vet prescribes medication to treat their epilepsy, it’s absolutely critical that you never miss a dose, and if you do so, that you contact your vet for further instructions.

What to Do If Your Dog Has a Seizure

If your dog gives you advance warning that a seizure is about to occur, take advantage of the heads-up to try to remove the furniture around them or take them away from any hazards where they won’t hurt themselves while in a seizure. For example if they are too close to a step, staircase, or a swimming pool.

This could mean moving furniture, taking breakable items off of shelves, or blocking stairs with a baby gate. Your dog will lose control of their motor function, and they can seriously injure themselves by accident if you’re not proactive.

Once the seizure begins, unless your vet has given you medication to stop the seizure, stay away from your dog. Remember, they’re not themselves during the seizure—they’ve literally lost control of their own brains—and they could bite you if you get too close. Dogs can’t swallow their tongues, so there’s no need to worry about that.

You should time the seizure as well. If it lasts longer than a few minutes, their temperature will rise, putting them at risk of overheating. Turn your air conditioning or a fan on, or spray them with cool water.

If the seizure continues for more than 5 minutes or if they have several back to back, you should get them to the vet immediately. You may have to transport them mid-seizure, in which case, you should protect your skin with thick gloves or other clothing. The vet will give them drugs to stop the seizure, and they may need supportive treatment to bring down their body temperature or help them breathe.

Are Seizures Painful for Dogs?

Seizures are tremendously distressing but not necessarily painful, unless your dog accidentally hurts themself while convulsing. You should try your best to keep your dog’s immediate area free of hazards, to avoid any accidents.

However, once the seizure is over, the dog may be extremely scared or disoriented. This can put them at risk of injury, especially if they escape your home or yard as a result.

Try to comfort your dog after the seizure, but understand that a panicked dog is more likely to lash out, and pay attention to any signs that they don’t want you around.

What Treatment Options Are Available for Epileptic Dogs?

Assuming that there’s no clear underlying medical condition causing the seizures, most vets won’t treat seizures in dogs until the animal has had several episodes, sometimes more than one a month, clusters of several seizures, or grand mal seizures that last longer than 5 minutes.

If your vet decides to treat your dog, chances are that your pup will be given either phenobarbital, imepitoin, and/or potassium bromide to decrease the amount of future seizures.

Generally speaking, once a dog begins taking anticonvulsant medication, they take it for the rest of their lives. There is evidence that discontinuing such medication puts dogs at risk of more severe seizures in the future. Also, it’s important to understand that epilepsy will likely be something your vet will manage, but not cure.

If you start giving your dog epilepsy medication, you’ll need to try to give it to them at the same time every day, never missing a dose. You should also give them the prescribed dosage every time (meaning, don’t double up if you miss a dose). You will need regular vet appointments to make sure the medication is working correctly, the dose is right, and any side effects from the medication are detected on time.

Many people believe in using natural methods, such as improving your dog’s diet, to treat epilepsy. There is no clear evidence that this works, and there are dozens of diets that claim to be useful for this purpose. As a result, all we can do is urge you to do your own research and ask your vet for advice.

What Is the Prognosis for a Dog With Epilepsy?

It’s difficult to give a single, over-arching answer to this question, as it depends on a variety of factors.

With structural epilepsy, the prognosis will depend in large part on the nature of the underlying trauma. If it’s something serious, like a brain tumor, the prognosis can be quite grim. In other cases, though, your dog’s length and quality of life may be largely unaffected by the condition.

The length and severity of the seizures are other important factors. If the dog suffers from a single, short seizure, they’ll have much better odds than an animal that has cluster seizures or ones lasting longer than 5 minutes.

Final Thoughts

Seeing your dog have a seizure is a horrifying experience. It can be made even worse if you do not know what to do when they happen. We hope this article has shed some light on canine epilepsy and what seizures look like so that you can have an informed conversation with your vet should your dog experience them.

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Featured Image Credit: SeventyFour, Shutterstock