Having a dog with seizure issues can become very difficult and worrisome. There are many different causes for seizures, and researchers have not yet identified all the different causes of dog seizures. There are several distinct types of seizures, and knowing what kind of seizure your dog suffers from is an essential first step towards helping your vet determine your dog's diagnosis.
There are two different categories of seizures in dogs, generalized and focalized seizures. These refer to the parts of the brain that are affected by the seizures. Generalized seizures affect the entire brain. There are also focalized seizures, which affect a small amount of the brain. Each of these broad categories has two separate divisions.
In the generalized category of seizures, the first sub-category is the major motor seizure. This refers to what is considered a classic epileptic seizure and consists of an overwhelming amount of activity in the dog?s brain, which causes the dog?s motor abilities to become uncontrolled. The muscles generally become tight and rigid, and the dog will twitch. These seizures can be very alarming to witness.
The second type of generalized seizure is the absence seizure, which is when the brain activity has a lull, causing the dog to become unable to respond or notice outside stimuli. The identifying characteristic of this type of seizure is that the dog will be unresponsive, and his gaze will be fixed and staring.
There are two kinds of focalized seizures as well. The first, the simple focal seizure, refers to a motor seizure. This is similar in affect to the major motor seizure that is common with generalized seizures, but on a much smaller scale. In most cases, only a single part of the dog is affected by a simple focal seizure.
The other kind of focalized seizure is the complex focal seizure. This creates a psychological issue in the dog because the part of the brain affected is the part that controls behavior. The dog will then react as though it is a different dog altogether. In some cases this means that the dog is behaving in an erratic and frenzied manner. In a few cases, some dogs have been known to become violent during a complex focal seizure.
No matter how hard it is to watch, it is essential that you be carefully observant during your dog?s seizures because only by being able to identify what kind of seizures your dog is having will you be able to give the vet the information they need in order to diagnose and treat your dog.
Dog seizures are common in some breeds of dog and all breeds have been known to experience seizures. Despite the unpleasantness, your dog can go on to lead a normal and healthy life with appropriate care and treatment.
There are two different categories of seizures in dogs, generalized and focalized seizures. These refer to the parts of the brain that are affected by the seizures. Generalized seizures affect the entire brain. There are also focalized seizures, which affect a small amount of the brain. Each of these broad categories has two separate divisions.
In the generalized category of seizures, the first sub-category is the major motor seizure. This refers to what is considered a classic epileptic seizure and consists of an overwhelming amount of activity in the dog?s brain, which causes the dog?s motor abilities to become uncontrolled. The muscles generally become tight and rigid, and the dog will twitch. These seizures can be very alarming to witness.
The second type of generalized seizure is the absence seizure, which is when the brain activity has a lull, causing the dog to become unable to respond or notice outside stimuli. The identifying characteristic of this type of seizure is that the dog will be unresponsive, and his gaze will be fixed and staring.
There are two kinds of focalized seizures as well. The first, the simple focal seizure, refers to a motor seizure. This is similar in affect to the major motor seizure that is common with generalized seizures, but on a much smaller scale. In most cases, only a single part of the dog is affected by a simple focal seizure.
The other kind of focalized seizure is the complex focal seizure. This creates a psychological issue in the dog because the part of the brain affected is the part that controls behavior. The dog will then react as though it is a different dog altogether. In some cases this means that the dog is behaving in an erratic and frenzied manner. In a few cases, some dogs have been known to become violent during a complex focal seizure.
No matter how hard it is to watch, it is essential that you be carefully observant during your dog?s seizures because only by being able to identify what kind of seizures your dog is having will you be able to give the vet the information they need in order to diagnose and treat your dog.
Dog seizures are common in some breeds of dog and all breeds have been known to experience seizures. Despite the unpleasantness, your dog can go on to lead a normal and healthy life with appropriate care and treatment.
About the Author:
I'm a veterinarian's assistant with a special passion for educating others about canine epilepsy.
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