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If your pet is experiencing active seizures, cluster seizures, or status epilepticus, these are considered \u201cRED\u201d \u2013 or true emergencies \u2013 on our Fast Track Triage system. We advise you to seek immediate veterinary care. Please call ahead of your arrival so the veterinary team knows to expect you!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Note that a single seizure that lasts less than five minutes with full recovery is considered a “GREEN” case on our Fast Track Triage system. This means emergency care isn’t needed, but your pet should be evaluated by your family veterinarian within the next few days.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n This is the second part of a two-part series on seizures in dogs. If you have not yet read Part I, click here<\/a>. As a reminder from Part I, a seizure is the result of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that interrupts normal brain function.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0\u00a0What causes seizures?<\/strong> Problems with liver or kidneys and poisoning are the main causes of extracranial seizures. Certain types of pesticides, antifreeze, snail bait and rat poison are all toxins that cause seizures.<\/p>\n 4. How do you tell what is causing my dog\u2019s seizures?<\/strong> 5. How do you treat my dog\u2019s seizures?<\/strong> 6.\u00a0Does my dog need medication?<\/strong> Every patient is different, but often, these are the factors that your veterinarian considers when deciding whether or not to prescribe medication for your pet\u2019s seizures.<\/p>\n 7. How quickly does medication take effect?<\/strong> 8.\u00a0What do I do if my pet has a seizure?<\/strong><\/p>\n If your pet is having seizures, don\u2019t despair. 70% of dogs can be well-controlled with treatment. Please ask your family vet for help or a referral to the\u00a0Neurology Service<\/a>\u00a0at AERC.<\/p>\n\n
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\nActivity inside the brain (intracranial) and outside the brain (extracranial). Intracranial disorders that cause seizures include birth defects, degenerative diseases, immune-inflammatory diseases, infectious agents, cancer, trauma, and strokes.<\/p>\n
\nIf, after extensive testing, a cause for your pet\u2019s seizure is not obvious, then idiopathic epilepsy is diagnosed; remember, this means your pet was born with a seizure condition. Since there is no definitive test for idiopathic epilepsy itself, the diagnosis is made by eliminating all other possibilities via blood work, a brain MRI and a spinal tap.<\/p>\n
\nThere is no cure for idiopathic epilepsy; however, we try to control the frequency, length, and severity of seizures with medication.<\/p>\n
\nCurrently, the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine recommends starting anti-seizure medication if there is\/are:<\/p>\n\n
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\nIt can take months to get seizure activity under control, and your pet can continue to have seizures while on medication. Based on your pet\u2019s seizure activity and the therapeutic blood levels of the medication, adjustments in dosage may be necessary. Remember, these medications are not a cure for seizures. The seizures will likely continue, but hopefully, they will be less severe and happen less often. About 70% of dogs are able to be well-controlled; unfortunately, that means there is additional 30% of dogs that are not able to be well-controlled.<\/p>\n\n
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