Introduction
Pets are innocent creatures who enjoy everything like eating, walking, naps, etc. Even they eat things that are not healthy for them. Also, their bodies are complex as ours, with complex systems and organs like kidneys, blood, nerves, and the stomach that all work together to keep them healthy. Sometimes, even after loving and caring for them, they get ill, epilepsy is one of those illnesses. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder caused by imbalances in the brain’s activity.
The genetic factor is also responsible for causing epilepsy. This is one of the common abnormalities that has been reported in many dogs and cats. The terms seizures, fits and convulsion all are associated with epilepsy and are often used to describe epilepsy. The word seizures are used to describe a single and temporary episode of brain disturbance, while epilepsy is repeated seizures. Seizures can happen anytime, either one or multiple episodes at once. Also, the time and duration are not predictable in seizures in epilepsy. A seizure episode can last about 30-90 seconds and even longer in some pets.
The initial sign of epilepsy is a sudden stumbling in the pet. They appear confused and disoriented as if they are losing control of their bodies. Most of the time, this goes unnoticed, but if this happens to your pet, be aware that it is an indication of a seizure.
What are the symptoms of seizures?
- Collapsing
- Stiffness
- Involuntary movements
- Twitching in muscles
- Jerking
- Unconsciousness
- Tongue chewing & chomping
What does a seizure episode look like?
Vomiting and foaming appear at the corners of the mouth. During a seizure, pets may fall on their sides and make paddling-like motions with their legs. They may also pee and faeces involuntarily in some situations. They experience unconsciousness and don’t stay in their senses, they also appear confused, unstable, and dazed as if they are in a different world. They feel confused and disoriented after a seizure episode. They may also collide with objects due to their confusion. They will also try to hide out of fear after experiencing the epilepsy incident.
What causes epilepsy in pets?
There can be the following causes of epilepsy:
- Liver diseases
- Consuming poisonous medicines, plants etc.
- Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels)
- Hypoglycemia ( low blood sugar levels)
- Accumulation of toxins in the body
- Anaemia
- Electrolyte disturbance
- Heart & Lungs disease
- Head injury
- Stroke
There may also be unknown reasons for a severe seizure episode or epilepsy. Epilepsy with no obvious reason is called idiopathic epilepsy. It is the most common type of epilepsy in dogs and cats, where no predictable causes are present.
Is epilepsy painful to pets?
It’s a topic of concern for pets’ parents. But pets do not feel pain while having an epilepsy attack. They are not physically harmed, however, it might appear a dangerous condition. But pets don’t feel pain due to the uncontrolled massive activities in their mind at once. They may bark, whine, or make a loud noise, but not due to pain. Epilepsy has no permanent cure in either pets or humans. It can only be prevented with medications and treatment. In the case of pets, they need extra care and love during their harsh conditions.
External Source: View Pdf on researchgate.net about Canine idiopathic epilepsy
Read all the Health News, and Get news straight to your email through our Newsletter.
