Types of Dog Seizures. Dogs, like humans, can also experience seizures. Epilepsy in dogs can be acquired by any type of breed. Though there are breeds that are more prone to this illness, research shows that there is no exception to the rule. According to one research, dog seizures usually happen when they are excited but there are no exact findings as to what really causes epilepsy in dogs.
Excitements that usually cause dog seizures are being heightened whenever there is a cue that a play is about to start. It was also found out that dog seizures can also happen when a dog is asleep. However, barking or shaking during sleep should not be mistaken with a seizure for it may only mean that the dog is just dreaming. If a seizure is in occurrence, the dog is very unlikely to be awakened.
Classification of the types of canine seizures
Epilepsy in dogs can be classified as primary or secondary. A primary type of epilepsy usually occurs between 6 months to 5 years of dog age. A primary epilepsy, however, is not to be considered a proof of genetic defect. Factors that may suggest genetic basis on primary epilepsy includes the breed, age and the history (only if there is a family history of dog seizures). This can be carefully and accurately done through a very careful breeding. A secondary type of epilepsy in dogs are those that can be determined by some other causes.
There are different type of dog seizures that are classified according to its severity and duration. These types of seizures can be considered as mild or petit mal, moderate or grand mal, status epilepticus and cluster seizures. Symptoms of a mild type of seizure are blank stares and upward eye movement.
A moderate type of seizure, on the other hand, is a time wherein a dog suddenly falls down and looses consciousness. There will also be an experience of rigidity in the legs and bumping around following the seizure. The status epilepticus is the most severe type of seizure that usually lasts up to ten minutes or more. Cluster seizures are considered to be a series of seizures happening in a day and can be confused as status epilepticus.
Epilepsy in dogs should be taken seriously. If you have observed your dog experiencing some seizures, you should seek help from a veterinarian immediately. There are natural and medicinal treatments available for your dog that could help prevent or at least lessen the severity of the dogs seizure.
