Epilepsy & Seizures

Recurrent seizures from idiopathic epilepsy or an underlying cause; management is highly individual.

What is Epilepsy & Seizures?

A seizure is a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Idiopathic epilepsy (no identifiable cause) usually starts between 1 and 5 years of age. New-onset seizures in dogs under 1 or over 5 often have an underlying cause (metabolic disease, toxin, brain tumour, inflammation).

Common signs and symptoms

Signs vary between dogs and can be subtle at first. Watch for the following, especially if several appear together or persist for more than a few days:

  • Generalised (grand mal) seizure: loss of consciousness, paddling, jaw chomping, urination or defecation, followed by a confused recovery period
  • Focal seizure: facial twitching, one limb moving, unusual staring or 'fly-biting'
  • Pre-ictal phase: restlessness or clinginess minutes to hours before
  • Post-ictal phase: disorientation lasting minutes to hours

Risk factors

Certain dogs are more predisposed. Understanding risk helps you screen earlier and act sooner.

  • Idiopathic epilepsy: Labrador, Golden Retriever, Beagle, German Shepherd, Poodle, Border Collie
  • Onset age 1–5 is more suggestive of idiopathic epilepsy
  • New-onset over 5 warrants a workup for structural causes

When to see a vet

Use this as general triage guidance, not a substitute for veterinary advice.

  • Book a routine appointment if: any first seizure should be seen non-urgently within a few days for baseline bloodwork and history.
  • Seek urgent care if: cluster seizures (more than one in 24 hours) or status epilepticus (seizure lasting >5 minutes) — go to emergency immediately.

Diagnosis and management

Diagnosis usually starts with bloodwork; MRI and spinal fluid analysis are added if suspicion of structural disease. Anti-seizure medications (phenobarbital, potassium bromide, levetiracetam, zonisamide) are used long-term when seizures are frequent (typically more than one every 4–6 weeks) or severe. A seizure diary is one of the most useful tools you can keep.

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