Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes the dog to have sudden, uncontrolled, recurring physical attacks, with or without loss of consciousness. This may sometimes occur for unknown reasons (idiopathic) or due to genetic abnormalities. However, idiopathic epilepsy is often characterized by structural brain lesions and is more likely seen in male dogs. If left untreated, the seizures may become more severe and frequent. One of the most terrifying scenes a pet owner can witness is that of a pet in the throws of a grand mal seizure. Once seen, it will never be forgotten. Epileptic episodes are quite common in dogs and actually show up more often in certain breeds of dogs than in others. For unknown reasons, epilepsy in cats is rather rare. When seen in a cat, epileptic episodes may have more serious underlying mechanisms than when present in dogs. Let’s explore this disorder a bit and we will gain a better understanding of just what is going on during an epileptic episode. What Pets Get Epilepsy ? Dog breeds predisposed to epilepsy: Any dog can be an epileptic. The following breeds are predisposed to this condition: Beagles, all Shepherds (German, Australian, Belgian, Tervuren), Border Collies, Boxers, Cocker Spaniels, Collies, Dachshunds, Golden Retrievers, Irish Setters, Keeshonds, Labrador Retrievers, Poodles (all sizes), St. Bernards, Shelties, Siberian Huskies, Springer Spaniels, Welsh Corgies, and Wire-haired Fox Terriers. Seizures also occur more frequently in staffordshire bull terriers than in many breeds. But those seizures are often related to a specific neuro-metabolic disorder seen in this breed.
The term "seizure" is often used interchangeably with "convulsion" or “fit,” but what do all of these terms really mean is happening? A seizure starts as a result of abnormal, excessive electrical activity in the brain. According to Chelsea Sonius, of the Zimmer Feline Foundation, whether in humans or animals, all seizures:
Start as a result of these electrical misfires in a part of the brain called the cerebrum
The abnormal electrical impulse spreads from cell to cell.
This unregulated activity in one region of the cerebrum causes increased activity in other regions, a phenomenon termed "hypersynchronous activity."
The brain becomes uncontrollably "hyper excitable," which leads to seizures. Convulsions can then cause a cat’s body to shake rapidly and uncontrollably.
How can one cat seizure differ from another? Epilepsy.com says, “Seizures may take many forms.” The outward effect can vary from uncontrolled, violent, jerking movements (tonic-clonic seizure) to a subtle loss of momentary awareness (absence seizure), which may go unnoticed by others. The syndrome of recurrent, unprovoked seizures is termed epilepsy. Seizures can be brought on by either primary brain disorders, or they may develop as a result of a process outside the brain. Conditions like low blood sugar, liver failure (when it leads to “hepatic encephalopathy”) or conditions that make blood thicker (as happens with high red blood cell or protein levels), are examples of processes outside the brain that may cause seizures. In addition, certain cardiac events look a lot like seizures, but don’t predictably alter the brain’s electrical activity in the same way. Temporary loss of consciousness (syncope) or collapse, associated with some heart rhythm disturbances, can be very hard to distinguish from seizures in some cases. How common is a cat seizure? Seizures occur in both dogs and cats, but occur less commonly in cats. Zimmer.com estimates that approximately 2% of all cats are affected by some seizure disorder. To read more on this story, click here:Cat Seizures and Epilepsy 101
