What is epilepsy in dogs?

Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder seen in dogs, and has been estimated to affect approximately 0.75% of the canine population3. The term epilepsy refers to a heterogeneous disease that is characterized by the presence of recurrent, unprovoked seizures resulting from an abnormality of the brain.

What triggers epilepsy?

Missed medication, lack of sleep, stress, alcohol, and menstruation are some of the most common triggers, but there are many more. Flashing lights can cause seizures in some people, but it's much less frequent than you might imagine.

What is idiopathic epilepsy in dogs?

Idiopathic epilepsy (IE) is the condition of repeated seizures over the course of a pet's life without an identified cause despite extensive testing (such as bloodwork, MRI, spinal fluid sampling, etc.) Idiopathic epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurologic problems affecting pets.

Is epilepsy a disability?

Epilepsy is considered a disability and it has a listing in the Social Security Administration (SSA) Blue Book. For epilepsy to qualify for disability benefits, it must meet the criteria of the Blue Book listing. There are different listings for epilepsy in the Blue Book.

Is epilepsy in dogs fatal?

What is status epilepticus? Status epilepticus is a serious and life threatening situation. It is characterized by a seizure that lasts more than five minutes. Unless intravenous anticonvulsants are given immediately to stop the seizure activity, the dog may die or suffer irreversible brain damage.

Is there medication for dogs with epilepsy?

Two drugs are licensed for the treatment of primary epilepsy in dogs; Phenobarbital (commonly prescribed under the trade name EpiphenTM) and Imepitoin (prescribed under the trade name PexionTM). Potassium bromide (prescribed under the trade name LibromideTM) is licensed for uncontrolled epilepsy in dogs.

What is the best vitamin for epilepsy?

Vitamin D May Help Seizure Control Supplemental vitamin D may be necessary for people who have these risk factors to maintain normal blood levels. A study published in 2012 showed that correcting vitamin D deficiency reduced seizures in people with epilepsy.

What is the treatment for idiopathic epilepsy in dogs?

Phenobarbital and potassium bromide have been used as first-choice sole drugs for long-term treatment of epilepsy in dogs based on their long-standing history, widespread availability and low cost.

What can trigger a dogs epilepsy?

Causes of Seizures in Dogs

• Epilepsy.
• Heat Exhaustion.
• Nutritional imbalances such as thiamine deficiency.
• Low blood sugar levels.
• Liver disease.
• Tumors.

Is chocolate good for epilepsy?

Abstract. While the consumption of caffeine and cocoa has been associated with a variety of health benefits to humans, some authors have proposed that excessive caffeine intake may increase the frequency of epileptic seizures in humans and reduce the efficiency of antiepileptic drugs.

Are focal seizures epilepsy?

Focal onset seizures are the most common type of seizure experienced by people with epilepsy. For short, the term focal seizure can be used. When the seizure begins in one side of the brain and the person has no loss of awareness of their surroundings during it, it is called a focal onset aware seizure.

Is epilepsy a death sentence?

Each year, more than 1 in 1,000 people with epilepsy die from SUDEP. This is the leading cause of death in people with uncontrolled seizures.

Is epilepsy medication expensive?

Brand-name Carbatrol costs $113.32 for sixty 200-mg tablets. Generic carbamazepine costs $34.94 for sixty 200-mg tablets.

Is idiopathic epilepsy in dogs fatal?

Most dogs and cats with idiopathic epilepsy can live relatively normal lives. However, if seizures are severe and difficult to control, epilepsy can shorten the normal lifespan of a pet.

How to test for epilepsy in dogs?

Getting to a Diagnosis

1. Complete blood count (CBC) analysis.
2. Urinalysis.
3. Eye examination.
4. Chest X-rays and/or MRI.
5. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis (CSF)
6. Lab work on specific serum titers such as toxoplasmosis and neosporosis (when infectious conditions are suspected)