The first signs and symptoms of epilepsy in dogs: treatment, how to stop attacks, types of anticonvulsant therapy. Symptoms of epilepsy in dogs epileptic seizures of a dog what to do

They look very frightened - the dog suddenly falls to the ground, shakes in convulsions, involuntarily twitches his paws. Sometimes even experienced dog lovers, never faced with convulsions, frighten and fall into panic. However, just a panic is unacceptable here. Assist the dog can only be assumed if immediately adequate measures are. Consider what reasons for dogs have convulsions and what to do if they started.

Causes of dog seizures

Cramps as such are not a disease, but only one of the many symptoms, indicating that the animal is sick. Depending on the disease, which caused the appearance of convulsion, this or that treatment is chosen. Probable reasons A seizure is known several. Not worth the cramping with a drunk animal gait

Epilepsy

This is the most common cause of the appearance of the ailment. It is epilepsy that often causes unexpected muscle contractions. In general, epilepsy is very dangerous and severe diseasecharacterized by significant disorders of the functioning of the brain. Distinguish

congenital epilepsy, which is transmitted from one animal to another inheritance,
epilepsy arising due to a dog's head injury
Epilepsy due to tumor or inflammation.

Some of the breeds of animals more often than others suffer from epilepsy, primarily to those belong to long-haired large dogs. It should also be noted that the dogs are found more often than at the bitch.

In general, in very many cases, convulsions become a consequence of epilepsy, which consists in neurological brain dysfunction. The cause of primary epilepsy is genetic disorders. At the same time, the first seizures occur between the ages of six months to 5 years. Secondary epilepsy is caused by various diseases affecting nervous system:

Intoxication poisons and heavy metals.
Snake bites and insects.
Electrotok lesions.
Helmintes.
Heart injuries.
Malnutrition.
Diseases of the kidneys and liver.
Diabetes.
Hyovitaminosis, mining deficiency.
Metabolic factors - cirrhosis, arrhythmia, brain cancer.
Eclampsia - cramps that appear in postpartum period Due to the lack of calcium in the organism of a nursing mother.
Infectious diseases - Chumka, toxoplasmosis, tetanus.

The dog has an epileptic fit consists of 3 stages:

Aura. At this stage, the fiddle of the dog behaves anxiously - wanders, sculits, trying to hide from strangers.
The ICTAL stage with a loss of consciousness - the dog falls, its head and paws are reduced with convulsions, breathing heavy, foam saliva is distinguished in abundant quantities.
The postal stage - the epileptic seizure itself at this stage has already ended, but the pet is still restless and disoriented, wanders.

Usually the duration of the epileptic seizure reaches 5 minutes. However, sometimes the dog does not return to the normal state of half an hour, and occasionally and longer. In such a situation, it is definitely necessary to immediately take the patient of the pet to the veterinary clinic. Transporting an animal fighting in cramps is better to carry out, wrapped it into a warm soft blanket.

Animals included in the risk group must be protected from situations that are able to cause stress, and prevent non-excitation of the dog. If the attack still failed to avoid and came convulsions, the animal must be given the most convenient posture, support his head, not trying to shove into his mouth any foreign object, and holding away from the injury items and acute corners. After all, firstly, you will not be able to open the savory jaws of the PSA for anything, and secondly, when trying to do this, there is a risk of injury to PSA, whereas it is necessary to insure it from injury. Recently, the view prevails in medicine that it is not necessary to touch epileptics, since careless touch can lead to another row.

Hypoglycemia

This is another cause of unexpected convulsions in dogs. Hypoglycemia is serious disease, the main symptom of which is the drop in the content of glucose in the blood. Often, at hypoglycemia, there is a disorder of metabolism leading to liver and kidney diseases. Causes due to hypoglycemia are usually observed in small breeds and puppies, whose body does not grow and finally formed. Sometimes this ailment is hereditary, transfers through generations, because to avoid such situations, it is necessary to carefully familiarize themselves with the pedigree pet before purchasing it.

Eclampsia

For this disease, a strong decrease in the blood of animal calcium content is characterized. Mostly Eclampsia is found in dogs small breedsBut there are also cases of pregnant women and just gave birth to SC. Calcium is involved in the set of processes occurring in the body, it affects the muscle state, so it is not surprising that its deficiency leads to muscle spasms and snoring in a dream.

Infection

Types of cramps

The character of convulsion is determined by their cause - the disease that has become a direct cause of their occurrence. In case of their appearance, it is necessary to try as accurately as possible to describe the veterinarian, all the details of how they passed. This will allow it to quickly determine the cause and proper treatment scheme. The convulsions in nature are divided into several species, between which there are certain differences.

Convulsions in the dog are periodic ripped weak muscle contractions that resemble twisting. They occur often and occur for quite a few reasons. During convulsions, the animal retains consciousness and ability to respond to the voice of the owner and his team.

Tonic convulsions do not represent a serious threat. They serve as a sign of certain disorders in the work of the body. Tonic cramps are short-term, but constant muscle contractions. The muscles are slowly twitching at certain time intervals. An animal in tonic convulsions retains consciousness and experiences pain, due to which he can whine and feel fear.

Clonic convulsions are a variety of convulsion with periodic relaxation and muscle abbreviations, between which can be the gap from half a minute to 2 minutes. The dog in the gap can rise and even try to go somewhere, but the next fit forces it to fall again, because the muscles again do uncontrolled cuts.

The last type of cramps is an epileptic seizure. This is the most dangerous option that is fraught with negative consequences. During the epileptic seizure, the pet loses consciousness, his muscles are tense all the time and relax only for a few seconds. Such a fit can occur with closed, and with open eyes from the dog, as a result of which he looks awesome.

What to do if a dog cramps

In convulsions, the dog needs to immediately take it to the veterinarian to determine the diagnosis and treatment. Easy the suffering of a pet can anticonvulsant drugs for dogs. Before this, you can only slightly help your favorite on your own. First of all, it is necessary to try to pour a dog into a tongue of a few drops of Corwalola or valocardine who can weaken muscle spasms through some relaxation. Then the meter should be measured, so that it can be informed of its veterinarian immediately after arriving in the clinic.

It is necessary to carry out temperature measurement in breaks between spasms when the state of the dog is calm, otherwise there is a risk of damageing the animal and / or break the thermometer. In case of epileptic seizures, the dog needs to hold for the avoidance of blows about the floor and furniture. It is advisable to transfer a pet to an extremely safe place in which there are no sharp corners and solid objects.

With very strong spasms, the muscles should not strive to break the dog to fall in an attempt to pour into it the drug. It is unlikely to do, besides, such actions are able to entail injuries from the dog. For transporting a dog, which has been seized, you need to burst into the blanket and press.

It is necessary to note the character of convulsion and their duration, the veterinarian will definitely be asked about this and on the basis of your replies will choose a suitable medicine. Often a dog that suffers from convulsion is primarily introducing anticonvulsant drugs for dogs and magnesium sulfate, helping to eliminate spasms and reduce the suffering of the animal. Then, analyzes and surveys should be made that allow you to diagnose. It is important to strictly fulfill all the recommendations of the veterinary doctor, otherwise the attacks can recur and the life of the dog will be threatened.

Since the dog cramps can be caused by a variety of diseases, you need to identify a specific disease and treat it. For example, meningoencephalitis, in which, besides convulsion, there are some other symptoms - the rigidity of the cervical muscles, the expansion of pupils and an increase in body temperature is treated with various veterinary drugs that are convulsions that prevent brain edema and supporting water-electrolyte balance.

In the event that convulsions occur very often (more often than twice a day) or begin immediately after the series of already past convulsions, it is extremely serious reason to refer to the veterinarian. It is important to keep calm, as well as pay attention to the duration of the seizures. The duration of convulsion is an important factor, the doctor always asks for which the help for the dog is asked. Timely appeal increases the chances of a pet for recovery and the owner's chances of having a healthy and funny dog, which he used to usually see his pet.

Determination of the cause of convulsion in the dog in veterinary medicine

Lack of minerals and hypovitaminosis - one of possible causes cramp. For example, convulsions rear paws Sometimes appear due to lack of calcium. Facial spasms of the paws are found in nursing either lurking burg and those dogs that have suffered different diseases. Excessive unbearable exercise stress Also able to lead to the seizures of the extremities in PSA. If the cause of convulsion was the lack of calcium, veterinarian Assigns intramuscular injections Calcium gluconate.

If the dog split convulsions, only a veterinarian can diagnose the cause after the correct inspection, which may be accompanied by different studies, in particular, this is:

x-ray;
magnetic resonance imaging;
Ultrasound abdominal cavity;
blood tests, urine, feces;
inspection of a neurologist veterinarian.

Epilepsy is a structural or trophic disorder in the work of the brain, which causes spontaneous patients, uncontrolled and regularly repeated seizures with loss or without loss of consciousness. The causes of the occurrence and morphology of such seizures are often unknown ( idiopathic epilepsy dogs), or caused by genetic anomaly. One way or another, for idiopathic form of epilepsy, structural damage to the brain is characteristic. The disease is most likely gender-dependent, as the epilepsy is more likely to suffer from males. Epilepsy is incurable; The number and intensity of attacks over time only increase and affect their intensity is either very difficult or impossible.

Symptoms of epilepsy in dogs

Often, epilepsy attack the dog can be predicted in advance - the dog can without visible reasons Show an alarm, fear or, on the contrary, actively try to hide. At the beginning of the seizure dog The side falls, its body becomes coward, shows active savage (salivation), constant chaotic movements of the jaw, spontaneous urination and defecation; An animal is sculitis, intensively moves his paws. Usually, such attack lasts from 30 to 90 seconds. The seizures most often arise when the sick animal rests or sleeps - at night or early in the morning. Therefore, very often signs of epilepsy Disappear before the moment when the dog owner leads her to a reception to a veterinary doctor.

According to statistics, epileptic seizures are most difficult to flow in young dogs. As a rule, an animal under the age of 2 years has a positive response to drugs treatment of epilepsy. Dog status after an attack of epilepsy Call post-enclosure. In this state, the dog has a temporary loss of orientation and coordination, confusion, aimless walking, blindness, an increased thirst and an increased appetite (nervous bulimia). All of these post-fitness symptoms are either immediately or during the next 12-24 hours.

Dogs with a diagnosed diagnosis of epilepsy attacks are group with intervals from 1 to 4 weeks. This applies mainly large breeds.

Causes of epilepsy in dogs. What are dog breeds in the risk zone?

The idiopathic form of epilepsy in many breeds of dogs is genetically predisposed, that is, some breed more susceptible to this disease. Among the most susceptible rocks, you can allocate such: Beagle, Kishond, Belgian Tervure, golden retriever, Labrador Retriever, Sheltie. In the category of potentially exposed epilepsies, such rocks such as Berkin Zennenhund and Irish Wolfhound can be attributed. It is also known that the English springer-spaniels are inherited, but this does not concern the entire family of spaniels, in general. There were insignificant in character, individual attacks from Finnish Spits.

Often, signs of epilepsy in dogs are manifested between the ages of 10 months to 3 years, but there are cases when the disease was registered in animals in early age (up to 6 months) and in rather mature (after 5 years). But still such cases are rarity, and they make up about 3-5% of the total attacks in dogs.

Diagnosis of epilepsy in dogs

The two most important factors when diagnosis of epilepsy Dogs are the age in which the attacks began, as well as their frequency, duration and form of the flow. If your dog had more than 2 attacks in the first week after the first seizure, then, most likely, a veterinary doctor will not consider the diagnosis as epilepsy idiopathic. If the attacks arose in the dog whose age is 6 months. and less than or more than 5 years, then the reason may be metabolic or trophic intracranial origin. Hypoglycemia can contribute to this in an elderly dog. Focal cramps (in contrast to group) or the presence of other neurological violations of a focal nature indicate the diseases of the structural genesis (origin).

Treatment of epilepsy in dogs

Treatment of epilepsy The dogs are most often outpatient. If the course of treatment is quite long, then dog May gain weight (this is due to the technique of specific anti-epileptic drugs). Therefore, with similar therapy, special attention should be paid to the planning of the diet of the animal, to draw up a diet balanced in all nutritional characteristics and (which is very important in this situation) and, if possible, the larger-calorie to prevent obesity.

The most commonly used drugs in the suppression of epileptic attacks are: phenlepsin, carbomozpin, hexamidine, diphenin, clonazepam, sodium Valproat, Sibazaz, trimetin, phenobarbital, etosuximide, middokalm. The use of their long and most often is lifelong.

Dog Accommodation Conditions

Most important during treating epilepsy It is constant control of the level of medication drugs in the patient's blood. For example, if the dog was given drugs containing phenobarbital, then a blood test should be carried out on the components of the drug immediately after the start of the course, and then on the 2nd and 4th week of their use. Then repeat the check after 6 months and year. Special attention Deserve older dogs. They can arise renal failure Against the background of constant use of drugs.

Prevention of epilepsy in dogs

As epilepsy, often, the disease transmitting genetically, then in any way to prevent it is not possible. The only thing that the responsible owner can make is to ensure the relatively comfortable life of the sick animal. If the dog passes the course of treatment, the sudden cessation of the preparation of the drug can cause a relapse and only aggravate the situation. In addition, from the diet of sick dogs, products and preparations containing the potassium bromide should be eliminated. His getting into the body can provoke epilepsy attack At the dog.

From one name of the disease - epilepsy, many of us frost runs on the skin. Indeed, this disease is terrible, many incomprehensible and even mysterious. And it turns out, not only people are subject to her, our four-legged friends can also suffer from terrible attacks. Therefore, we propose to talk about what is epilepsy in dogs. What are the signs of an approaching attack and what to do the owner, whose pet suffers from an unpleasant illness.

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What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a functional brain disorder, which becomes the cause of spontaneous, often uncontrolled seizures and seizures that may be accompanied by loss of consciousness. Epilepsy is associated with spontaneous occurrence of a series of pathological pulses in the brain, the result of which the epileptic seizure becomes.

Epilepsy occurs in all breeds, but some predisposition is noted in such dogs:

Taxes;
Bigley;
Boxers;
German I.
Collie and cocker spaniels;
and retrievers;
Senbernara;
Padel;
Husky;
West Highland.

Does not bypass the epilepsy and dogs-metis. It is noted that approximately 5-5.7% of the dog population suffer from the disease. Epileptic seizure can cover both the whole body of the animal and individual parts of the body. For example, only limbs can be twisted or only head. The frequency of seizures can also be varied - all these factors are taken into account when the causes of the epilepsy of dogs and when prescribing treatment.

Causes of occurrence

The nature of epilepsy may be different. It is customary to divide on the primary and secondary. Primary or idiopathic epilepsy in dogs is associated with genetic predisposition and can be inherited. In this case, changes in the structure of the brain may not be observed. The attacks may occur due to disorders of the mechanisms of excitation and the oppression of the nervous system. The first attack in idiopathic dog epilepsy can happen between the ages of 6 months to 5 years.

Secondary epilepsy in dogs is not associated with genetic predisposition and is caused by a number of other reasons.

It may be associated with diseases. internal organs: Renal or liver failure, diabetes, cardiac arrhythmia, hypoglycemia, cirrhosis.
Epileptic seizures may be against encephalitis or chumba.
Among the possible causes of epileptic seizures, the diseases of the brain or head injury are separately allocated. Tumor processes, neoplasms, congenital defects, Degenerative changes in the brain - all this can cause epilepsy attacks.
In addition, convulsions may arise due to poisoning to toxins, poisons, due to exposure electric current Or insect bites or snakes.

Sometimes the dog may have convulsions or loss of consciousness not related to epilepsy.

For example, very similar symptoms have such problems as diseases of the middle ear and violation of the activities of the vestibular apparatus. With these disorders, the dog can often tilt the head of the side, disorders of coordination. Problems with the respiratory and cardiac system can also cause so-called respiratory cramps, loss of consciousness and severe weakness from the animal.

Epilepsy attack

The attack of epilepsy is almost always unpredictable and uncontrollable. From this he causes fear and misunderstanding from the owner, especially if you are faced with epilepsy for the first time.

Types of attacks

Epileptic attacks are made to divide 4 types:

A full or generalized attack when the whole body of the animal is "involved" in the cramps. Generalized attacks are more characteristic of primary epilepsy.
Small epileptic attack. For a small attack, a rare frequency and shortness is characteristic. Sometimes a small attack runs even unnoticed for the owner.
Partial seizure when twitching individual muscle groups is observed. Such attacks are at secondary epilepsy.
Partial attack, for him more characteristic change behavior, hallucination or unreasonable fear of the animal.

Also, some attacks are accompanied by loss of consciousness, and some are not. Easy attacks and in their duration. On average, the seizure lasts a minute and a half, but it can continue and much longer. If the attack does not stop more than 30 minutes - a dog is urgently needed veterinary care.

What does the attack look like?

In principle, the attentive owner will be able to "calculate" the approach of the epileptic attack from his dog for a number of characteristic features.

In its "formation", the seizure passes through such stages:

Changes in animal behavior. His signs are fixed by the dog even a few days before the event itself, but more often in a few hours. An animal can worry, fear, clogged into a distant corner.
Next, the phase with the poetic name "Aura" is directly started the seizure. Her symptoms are trembling, breach of coordination, increased salivation, excessive nervousness, breaking and so on.
After "Auura" you can observe the attack itself, it can flow in different ways. In most cases, such symptoms such as the convulsions of the limbs are noted, the animal falls on the back or side, heavily throws the head, and the jaws make involuntary bustard and convulsive movements. Breathing is suspended, the pupils are expanding, saliva and foam is abundantly released. In the process of the attack, an animal may be involuntarily aimed due to the strong overvoltage of the abdominal muscles. Gradually, convulsions are reduced and for 1-5 minutes go to no.
After such a seizure follows the stage of general oppression and disorientation of the dog. To come to themselves, the animal may need from a few minutes to several days, during which the dog will remain accurate or, on the contrary, apathetic. Flash may be observed unreasonable fear, as well as temporary blindness. It is noted that sometimes the owner sees only the consequences of the attack, because most often the seizures are observed at night and early in the morning.

First aid for a convulsive fit

On the owner of the dog, subject to epileptic sections, is a big responsibility. First, if your pet is recorded by repeating attacks, you must remember that any additional stress can provoke them, so try to contain a sick animal in the atmosphere of mutual trust and love. Secondly, during the event of a happening attack, you should not be afraid of the dog. For an animal, it is important to create comfortable conditions, you can put a pillow under the head.

However, be careful, during a convulsion, when the jaws of the dogs are spontaneously declining, it may be inadvertently damaged. In addition, unauthorized objects are not worth it in your mouth, the opinion that the dog can swallow their own language and suffocate - erroneous.

Do not hold the dog, do not try to control its convulsive movements, they are performed involuntarily. Just are near and call the animal by name. Not always on the side of the dog there are some responses, but it can help speed up the process of stopping the attack.

Try to indoors with a sick dog there were no sharp objects, sharp sounds or bright color. Also in the room with sick animals there is nothing to do other dogs or cats that can be frightened and attack him. If the attack lasts a very long time or has several repeating seizures, urgent hospitalization is necessary. As a last resort, when there is no possibility to deliver a sick animal to the hospital, he is injected with anticonvulsant drugs on their own. But only that drug, which was appointed by the attending physician and only in the recommended doses!

What is the epilepsy treat?

The treatment of convulsion is impossible without clarifying the causes of their occurrence. Naturally, the renal failure as the cause of epilepsy will be treated in its own way, and the brain tumors in their own way. Alas, but it is not always possible to completely stop the attacks, in which case they try to reduce the frequency of their manifestations as much as possible. Treatment of epilepsy is always individually and sufficiently long. And for diagnostics, such expensive research may be needed as MRI or the analysis of the spinal fluid.

If the diseases of the internal organs, the brain and the poisoning toxins in the animal recognize the primary idiopathic epilepsy. With this diagnosis, the treatment of the animal is required for life. It will be in constant reception of anticonvulsants. At the same time, drugs with proven effectiveness are not so much. These include phenobarbital - a medicine that is not so easy to get in the CIS, and expensive Keppra.

Note that if convulsions are renewed, despite the reception of anticonvulsants, it is necessary to revise the treatment regimen and make additional analyzes. Please note that even one epileptic attack is a reason to appeal to the hospital and a detailed examination. After all, each seizure is a serious test for the dog, entailing damage to the nervous system.

Diseases that our pets suffer often are often similar to people's diseases. One of such diseases is epilepsy in dogs.

Epilepsy is a violation of the communication between the brain neurons, accompanied by the attacks of convulsion. Nature this disease It has not yet been studied to the end, and scientists are not ready to give a response to 100%, what reasons cause epilepsy in dogs.

At the moment it is believed that the attacks occur as a result of non-attorneys nerve cells, More precisely, the process of the occurrence of the nerve impulse and transmission between cells is disturbed. Perhaps in the neurotranisers - substances responsible for the procedure for transmitting pulses, there is a violation chemical reactionsthat, in turn, prevents the proper functioning of nerve cells.

Types of epilepsy in dogs

Depending on the origin of the disease, the primary and secondary form of epilepsy is distinguished.

Primary (idiopathic) epilepsy arises as a result genetic predisposition. This form of epilepsy is more often found in dogs of certain breeds: Golden Retriever, dachshund, Shepherd, Poodle, etc.

IN this case Epilepsy may suffer several puppies from one litter or close relatives, such as mother and son. The primary form is manifested quite early - under the age of one year, but, sometimes, the first signs are manifested at older age (3-6 years).

Secondary (epileptiform) epilepsy in dogs occurs as a consequence of any disease, infection, injury, toxic damage to poisonous substances, nervous overvoltage.

Epilepsy attacks in dogs may appear as a result:

transferred infectious diseases - Chumki, Encephalitis, etc.;
hydrocephalius (water) of the brain;
head injuries;
heart problems;
liver damage;
brain tumors;
lack of glucose in the blood of a dog;
hypoteriosis - reduced thyroid function.

Secondary epilepsy is more often manifested in adult dogs, since after 4-5 years of life they may have diseases of cardio-vascular system, liver, kidneys.

Causes, most often associated with epilepsy, can be a manifestation of some other disease, so when they appear it is necessary to show the dog to the veterinarian to make a diagnosis.

Sometimes the owner mistakenly considers convulsive syndrome with a symptom of epilepsy, and in other cases it does not notice the attacks of the disease and relates them to the unusual behavior of the pet. Exists different types Manifestations of epilepsy.

Small attack (Absanx) belongs precisely to those who are difficult to see, even if the dog has epilepsy. It is expressed in the dog's fading for a few seconds, with her glance becomes meaningless and still. If the animal is at rest, it does not fall, the muscles are not spashed, therefore the absax is not always noticed by the owner.

A partial attack is expressed by twitching a limited muscle group - on the face, back, withers, etc.

The generalized form is the most severe type of epilepsy, accompanied by a seizure in two stages:

The first stage, lasting about a minute, is a tonic, in which the dog is unconscious and it has a spasm of muscles on the paws, due to which they cannot be bent or dispersed. This stage is often accompanied by stopping breathing.
The second stage is clonic, during which the dog that is unconscious, begins to pull the paws, make fast chewing movements. Animal's eyes are semi-closed and not react to light, involuntary urination can occur and / or defecation.

Associated with a change in animal behavior (partial attack):

the dog performs frequent chewing movements;
chmokat lips and grind up his teeth;
aggressively behaves even in relation to the owner;
howl and sculits;
an animal tries to hide from everyone in a secluded place;
the dog loses the orientation in a familiar place and seems to be lost.

Combination aggressive behavior And abundant salivation with such a seizure makes it look like symptoms of rabies. In addition, during an attack, a temporary loss of vision may occur, a strong spasm of abdominal muscles, an animal may have vomiting, diarrhea, a strong thirst.

Such an attack can occur as a consequence of a generalized seizure and continue for several hours. Multiple (mixed) attacks are manifested by a combination of different forms of the seizure within a few minutes. If the dog is in a state, like a multiple row, a few hours in a row, such a disease is called epileptic status.

Diagnosis of epilepsy in dogs

If your pet has alarming symptoms that are similar to the signs of epilepsy, the main thing is to complete an animal survey and establish an accurate diagnosis. This is necessary in order not to harm the dog, because anticonvulsant drugs that are treated with epilepsy are dangerous for the animal in any other cases.

To start a veterinarian appoints various methods Research:

EEG (electroencephalography) - when it is conducted, electrical impulses emanating from different parts of the brain are recorded. EEG is the most informative way to diagnose epilepsy.
Head X-ray to eliminate crankny injuries.
Ultrasound abdominal cavity.
Clinical I. biochemical analysis blood.
ECG Hearts.
CT or MRI brain - make it very desirable.

In order for the doctor to have a complete picture of the disease, it is necessary to describe in detail how the attack of your pet passes - its duration, the behavior of the dog before, during and after the seizure. Also, the vet should be aware of dog diseases and injuries, since all this data helps to put the correct diagnosis.

What if the dog has epilepsy?

Earlier, the diagnosis of "Epilepsy", delivered by the dog, sounded like a sentence, and meant that the animal is waiting for a quick death. Modern diagnosisNew medicinal products And the methods of treating epilepsy in dogs allow you to extend the life of a sick animal and make it a full one.

True epilepsy is not applied and currently, but veterinarians have the opportunity to choose adequate therapy for a dog, which will reduce the number of attacks to a minimum or completely eliminate them. Selection of medicines is a long process, because doctors are forced to try different medicines in turn to find the best option.

Sometimes even a complex of several drugs is used at the same time, if one drug does not bring the desired result.

Currently, drugs are most often used as:

"Phenobarbital".
"Bromide potassium."
"Fentonin".
"Diazepam".
"Primidon".

If the treatment of epilepsy does not help with one of these drugs, then most often, the combination of "phenobarbital" and "potassium bromide" is used.

In order for the effect of the preparations taken to be maximally, it is necessary to carefully comply with the prescribing of a doctor and give medicines in the exact dosage and at the same time, not missing a single day. The passage of reception of the drug, non-compliance with the dosage can lead to the fact that the disease will manifest itself in a more severe form. Get ready for the dog's tablets will have all her life, since the animal will die without treatment.

All anticonvulsant drugs have serious side effects. For example, a dog can become a drowned, oppressed, it can have problems with gastrointestinal tract and with a concentration of attention. This is necessary to inform the veterinarian so that he prescribes medicines, shooting such symptoms, or picked up another drug that will have an equivalent effect without side Effects.

How to help a dog with epilepsy?

First of all, let's give your pet as much care and love as possible, do not scold him for pranks, so as not to cause a nervous breakdown.

Often, a special diet with a reduced protein content is prescribed for sick dogs. It is useful to use food with a partially split protein that is quickly absorbed.

In order for the dog to be hurt during an attack, which can occur in your absence, organize a fenced aviary in the apartment. In this avoire there should be no furniture and any dangerous items.

The dog should lead a full life: walk, communicate with other dogs, but it is within reasonable, since excessive physical activity can provoke an attack. The owner of the dog, which is not the first day by epilepsy, most often can notice the approach of the seizure and eliminate provoking factors in order to prevent its development.

What should I do if the dog begins the epileptic attack?

Try to abide by calm, do not fuss, do not make noise, because loud sounds Can enhance the attack and its duration.
Sometimes the appeal to the dog by the name allows you to prevent seizures.
Create conditions for a dog under which it will not be able to be injured: you do not need to carry it on a soft litter or sue a blanket for it, it is enough to put a hand or a flat pillow under the head and push it from dangerous items.
Turn the dog's head on the side to saliva or vomiting could flow out of the mouth. It is not necessary to squeeze the jaws with a spoon, as it is unlikely to succeed, and the animal can be injured. There was no danger of suffocation of a dog with their own tongue in the attack of epilepsy, there was no such incident in veterinary practice.
Due to the fact that there are no dogs sweat ironAnd the fitness is accompanied by strong muscle tension and high heat release, ensure the cooling of the animal. You can send a fan to the dog, wave a newspaper, rub the paws and belly-cool water, this is especially true for long-haired rocks.
If the attack continues more than half an hour, then urgently cause veterinarian, as such a state threatens the life of your pet.
After a generalized attack, a dog can be in a state for a long time, in which it can harm yourself or spoil any things, so it is better to limit its movement around the apartment.
If there are other dogs in the house, they should be closed in another room, since there is a possibility that they will throw on the sore animal.
After the end of the attack, try to calm the dog, but do not impose her communication and do not swear if the dog behaves aggressively.
Write down in a diary when and because of what the attack began, how much did it last and how it went, and call the veterinarian.

Do not despair if your dog was diagnosed - epilepsy, she has every chance to live a long, full life if you help her in this!

Friends Our four-legged are stronger health than people, no wonder they say - "heals like on the dog." But they are capable of sick, including epilepsy. Why does epilepsy develops in dogs, and what should the owner do when his favorite has an attack?

Among the main factors - epilepsy provocateurs in pets, veterinarians allocate nervous tension. It is believed that the presence of a pet in a long stressful situation increases the risks of the occurrence of an attack.

In addition, there is a congenital type of pathology and acquired. The disease can develop after severe generic activity, attacks of other animals, separation with your beloved owner, family change. Naturally, in different dogs the reaction to such situations is individual.

What is epilepsy? As a rule, demise is associated with the failure of the links between neurons in the brain, which is manifested in the form of convulsive seizures. The nature of pathology is not fully studied, this applies not only to dogs, but also people. But in accordance with the main hypothesis, non-coordinated spontaneous reductions in various muscle groups are developing against the background of inconsistency of pulses between cellular structures brain.

One of the specific features of this pathology in the POS is the frequency of convulsive seizures. When the pet is experiencing the first epileptic attack, and the veterinarian confirms the diagnosis, the owner should prepare - the disease is able to progress, and then the attacks become more frequent and intense.

According to statistical data, more often, the primary signs of epilepsy in dogs are manifested between the ages of six months to 5 years. Heriffest pathology tolerate animals for 2-3 years. Then the symptoms of the disease are preserved until the end of life. In addition, often doctors fail to identify the cause of the development of epilepsy, in this case the disease is considered idiopathic.

Symptoms of epileptic attack

There are 4 types of seizures arising from pets suffering from epileptic ailment:

The loss of consciousness, convulsive cuts of the muscles is quite weak or there are no at all.
The emergence of generalized convulsion convulsions affecting the whole body is possible loss of consciousness.
The development of focal motor convulsions that are often generalized. The convulsions are addressed first a certain portion of the body, and then apply to nearby. In rare cases of cramps, all parts of the body of the animal affect.
Partial convulsions arise. The main sign of epilepsy in this situation is the strange behavior of the pet. Most often, the dog begins as if catching non-existent flies. Cauls can be absent, so and affect all the body of the pet.

Experts sharpen attention to what it is important to determine, we are talking about ordinary seizures or epileptic. But the disease must diagnose the disease, and not the owner of the animal.

The epileptic attack proceeds according to the following algorithm:

the pet begins to bore, worry, looking for a secluded, quiet placewhere no one disturbs him;
saving (saliva) is enhanced;
a convulsive attack occurs, accompanied by urination and defecation; Often, during an attack, an animal bites a tongue or part of the cheek, because of the pain, the dog is sculitis, squeal.

Even after the termination of the attack, the enhanced saliva is preserved, the salivary liquid becomes a foam. An animal mood can be both oppressed and too excited.

Among the main signs pathological state You can note the following:

The owner should pay attention to the pet, if muscles begin to twitch on the face - this phenomenon refers to the primary signs of epilepsy.
Gradually convulsions cover all the body.
In some cases, the state is accompanied by an increase in temperature indicators.
In the process of attacking the animal limb move, the dog firmly squeezes the jaw, the head throws back.
Proteins rolled out, pupils are significantly expanding.
Stridor arises - breathing, accompanied by whistling, hissing sounds.

In most cases, convulsions arise at night and in the morning hours. Typically, the owners of a pretty pet eventually can predict the development of the next attack in advance. And if their favorite became sluggish, trembles and hides, it means there is a reason to worry.

First aid four-legged friend

Although the epileptic attack is not dangerous for the life of the animal, he may not joking the owner of the dog. But from a person at this moment, on the contrary, a clear mind is required and correct actions, so you should not panic.

Since convulsions are an unfortunate sight, when they occur from the room it is desirable to remove other pets and children. In addition, it is important to remove all items about which the dog can bother. Under his head it is desirable to put a small pad.

Veterinary doctors advise follow the following recommendations:

if there was no pillow near the pillow, you can maintain the head of the patient;
it is impossible to limit the mobility of an animal beating in convulsions, holding part of the body to stop convulsions;
specialists denied the opinion, according to which during the seizure in the animal, there may be a language, thereby causing a stroke; In fact, it is impossible and you should not torment the pet, sulking his jaws by force;
if the duration of the attack is 25 minutes and more, then the PSA should be delivered to the Cabinet of the veterinarian;
when there is no opportunity to visit the clinic, and the attack does not pass, the dog is introduced by a medication with an anticonvulsant action.

To make a doctor more precisely and in a short time to diagnose, the owner is recommended to record data on all attacks. It is advisable to record dates, duration, as well as the situation, after which the pet has a convulsion.

Diagnosis of epilepsy in dogs

Epileptic seizures are similar to other convulsive attacks, so the diagnosis is extremely important. To determine the diagnosis, the vet is appointed comprehensive examinationincluding:

EEG (electroencephalography) - during the procedure there is a register of electrical pulses from different areas of the brain; To date, this method is the most informative way to diagnose this disease;
radiography - eliminates the presence of cranial injuries;
ultrasound examination of the organs of the peritoneum;
blood for clinical and biochemical analysis;
electrocardiography;
computer or magnetorezonance tomography.

In addition, the doctor collects detailed history. The owner should describe the condition of the animal as much as possible - before and during convulsion. It is also worth focusing on the overall health of the pet and the concomitant diseases.

Treatment of epilepsy

First of all, the owner should understand that epilepsy is a serious violation in which the right approach is required. And even knowing about the preparations that help animals in this case, the owner should not apply them to their own for the treatment of a pet.

If certain ps is helping certain pills, then the other can cause severe complications. These medication tools Possess a large number of contraindications and side effects, so only a qualified specialist should be appointed.

There is another nuance, often in epilepsy for therapeutic purposes it is recommended not to receive one, but several anticipant drugs.

Unfortunately, this disease, especially its true form, is incurable. Therefore, it is impossible to completely deliver a pet from the manifestations of epilepsy. Modern medicine It offers techniques to reduce the duration of attacks and their number, but still the risks of their appearance are saved.

Some pets receiving competent treatment, full nutrition and contained in good conditions, Epileptic seizures may not be absent for years, no way let him know. Selection of drugs is carried out individually, so it is not always possible to immediately assign a medicine that helps 100%. Perhaps it will be necessary to change the diagram of the reception or even the most medication.

Initially, the minimum dosage of the anticonvulsant drug is prescribed, gradually it increases until it is possible to achieve the desired result. Veterinarians warn that if you dramatically stop giving a pet medication or to reduce the dose yourself, it is possible to achieve an exacerbation of epilepsy, causing more frequent and long-lasting attacks.

Most often doctors prescribe the following drugs with an anticonvulsant effect:

Phenitoin - effective toolwhich does not have a sedative effect and side manifestations. But the medicine is quickly excreted from the animal blood, causing severe thirst and abundant urination.
Phenobarbital is characterized by high efficiency and fast action. But there is a long sedative effect, the dog constantly wants to drink and urinate, becomes excited and often annoyed.
Primidon - quickly helps, but has a strong sedative action, against the background of his reception, the pet begins a lot there are a lot, drink. The drug requires strict adherence to the application scheme.
Diazepam is a drug that controls the aggravation of attacks and the state of the epilepticus. Compared to other drugs, the safety and high speed of action is distinguished. But only a short-term effect ensures, does not cope with strong epileptic attacks, the animal may become restless and hot-tempered.

The owners of a pet suffering from epilepsy, it is recommended to take care of its safety, removing all objects from the aviary or premises about which the dog can be born.

Epilepsy from the dog is not a sentence, and the subsequent life of the pet largely depends on the owner. Yes, ailment requires treatment and more good care for animals, but the rest of the dog remains devotees, true frienddeserving best conditions and relationships.