Coping With Epilepsy Is Heartbreaking for This Veterinarian

                                                                                

                        Have you ever had the unfortunate experience of witnessing your pet having a seizure?  If so, you know how distressing it can be.  As owners of an epileptic Border Collie, my husband and I empathize with pet owners who face this common emergency. 

 

                        A seizure may be described as an abnormal electrical pattern in the brain that results in a loss of consciousness, collapse, urinary and/or fecal incontinence, uncontrollable muscle contractions, and excessive salivation.  Seizures are categorized as “grand mal” (generalized seizure associated with collapse) or “focal” (minor seizure associated with minimal activity such as lifting one leg and staring blankly).  When a pet has recurring seizures, it is diagnosed as “epileptic.”

 

                        Veterinarians are frequently consulted by upset owners observing their pet’s first seizure.  While this is very frightening to watch, it usually is not an urgent emergency.  Typically, by time the pet owner makes the phone call for help, the pet is already recovering from the seizure.  Upon arrival at the veterinary office, the pet will act and appear normal. 

 

                        Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical examination and blood tests to rule out metabolic problems such as calcium or blood sugar disturbances.  These tests are likely to be normal, but are necessary for making the diagnosis. Seizures can also be caused by poisons (strychnine or antifreeze), head trauma, and infections, but the cause of the majority of seizures is unknown (“idiopathic epilepsy”).

 

                        Each seizure consists of three stages.  The first stage is called the “aura” because the pet senses something is amiss, acts restless or needy, salivates, vocalizes or demonstrates unusual behavior. Next is the actual seizure event or “ictus” which generally lasts less than five minutes (but will seem like an eternity!).  The final stage is the “post-ictus” or recovery phase when the pet will act disoriented, restless, drunk, blind, and sometimes vicious.  This period is usually five to 15 minutes long. 

 

                        What should you do when your pet seizes?  First, and foremost, remain calm.  Do not put your fingers in your pet’s mouth.  You may be severely bitten.  Cradle or cushion your pet’s head to prevent head injury.  Speak slowly and soothingly to your pet during and after the seizure to minimize stress.

 

                      If your pet is on furniture, carefully move it to the floor and prevent it from thrashing against hard objects.  You may use a large towel or blanket to protect your pet from injury while it is seizing.  Epileptic pets are likely to urinate, defecate, vomit or slobber profusely so have a towel handy and move the pet to an area that cleans up readily (linoleum, bathroom, outdoors).

 

                          Anti-convulsant medication will be prescribed for your pet if it seizes at least once a month, has clusters (greater than one seizure weekly) every six weeks, or experiences a single, long (more than 10 minutes), violent seizure. Phenobarbital is the most commonly prescribed drug to treat epilepsy due to its reliable response and comparatively low toxicity and side effects. 

 

                        Your veterinarian will monitor your pet’s Phenobarbital blood level regularly to assure that your pet is receiving the proper dose.  Timely and proper administration of anticonvulsant medications is a must as epileptic patients become dependent on these drugs to control their seizures. Missed or late doses can result in break-through seizures.  Since epilepsy is treatable, but not curable, the goal of treatment is to lessen the severity and frequency of seizures.

 

                        Owners of epileptic pets should maintain a diary that notes stressful activities preceding seizures, the pet’s activity at the time of onset, date and duration, and any medication administered in response to the seizure.  You should notify your veterinarian when your pet seizes so testing or anti-convulsant dose adjustments may be discussed.

 

                        Certain dog breeds such as Border Collies, German Shepherds, Poodles, Beagles, and Dachsunds are more likely to be epileptic due to the genetic nature of the disease.  Genetic epilepsy is diagnosed when seizures are recurrent and begin between two and five years of age.  On the contrary, pets that begin to seizure in their senior period are likely to be diagnosed with a metabolic disorder or brain tumor. 

 

                        Pets diagnosed with genetic epilepsy should never be bred and a concerted effort should be made to sterilize all carriers of genetic epilepsy.  As the owner of a yet to be controlled epileptic dog, I feel very strongly about not having others experience the heartbreak and imprisonment associated with ownership of a pet with this disease.  I state this with heartfelt determination as my dog, Robbie, has just had her fifth seizure in the last 24 hours as I am writing this column.

By Dr. Bonnie Jones