Epilepsy is a neurological condition that can affect pets in the same way it does humans, and it is a condition that is also referred to as seizure disorder. Cats and dogs with epilepsy will be experiencing the same explosive electric activity in the brain, and there are two types of epilepsy that can occur for pets: primary epilepsy and secondary epilepsy. Epilepsy is seen more often in purebred dogs rather than mixed breeds, and in breeds like Beagles, Boxers, Dachshunds, English Springer Spaniels, German Shepherds, and Lab and Golden Retrievers.

What Causes Epilepsy?

Electrical signals going haywire as they pass through neural pathways in the brain is the basic functional explanation for what causes epilepsy in pets. Primary epilepsy will be idiopathic, meaning there is no agreed-upon cause of the disease and it is occurring in an otherwise fully healthy animal. Secondary epilepsy is symptomatic, and in these instances, it is usually the result of structural lesions on the brain. The seizures that occur with either of them may be mild or severe, and this will vary from one pet to another.

Epilepsy Symptoms

When an epileptic seizure occurs for a pet, it is common for them to go through three different phases:

Phase 1 (Pre-ictal Phase):

   
• Being unsettled, pacing, or licking lips
   
• Being increasingly anxious and whining, barking, or hiding
   
• Excessive bodily functions, with salivating and urinating being the most notable of them
 

Phase 2 (Ictal Phase - During Seizure):

   
• Odd sounds emanating from the throat of the animal
   
• Uncontrolled passing of urine or feces
   
• Faster and heavier breathing
   
• Limb rigidity
   
• Jerking or paddling-like movements
   
• Stiffening of muscles
   
• Falling to the floor on one side with head back
 

Phase 3 (Post-ictal Phase - After Seizure):

   
• Staying prone with lack of movement
   
• Disorientation and staggered walking
   
• Temporary vision loss
   
• Excessive hunger and/or thirst
   
• Uncontrolled bowel or bladder activity
 

Epilepsy Treatment

Using anticonvulsant medications for pets is the most standard approach to epilepsy treatment, and ones containing phenobarbital, levetiracetam, zonisamide, bromide, gabapentin, or clorazepate will be prescribed by veterinary doctors most often. For refractory epilepsy treatment, it is more common to look to different types of medications to reduce the frequency and severity of pet epileptic seizures, including topiramate, felbamate, and pregabalin.

There has been recent news of owners with epileptic pets seeing their epilepsy be less of a problem when they give their dog CBD (cannabidiol oil). CBD is effective for epilepsy treatment because it lowers serum alkaline phosphatase levels. Vagal nerve stimulation and acupuncture are other possibilities for alternative epilepsy treatment.