There are several different types of canine seizures that you may want to know about. A partial only affects a small area or just one side of the body. The most common type is a grand mal. The dog will fall over, go into convulsions, salivate, urinate and defecate involuntarily, and be unaware of surroundings. In a petit mal, the animal looks like it simply passed out, as there is no convulsing.
If you are watching very closely, you will see that there are three stages to a seizure. The aura, or pre-phase, is the beginning of the episode. Your pet may whine, seek affection, pace and appear generally restless. Next is the fit itself, known as the ictus. Symptoms include collapsing, vomiting, salivating, and convulsions. The recovery phase, or postictal, can last anywhere from minutes to possibly days. You might notice temporary blindness and the animal seeming to be disoriented.
Even in current times, we do not know the exact triggering of these episodes. It has been observed by many owners and veterinarians that attacks are most often triggered while the dog is in a state of excitement. Being happy to see people come in the door or just in general play is sometimes enough for those affected. Some dogs have also been known to seizure while asleep.
There is a long list of conditions and diseases that are known to cause fits like these. For instance, the metabolic disorder diabetes mellitus affects the animal world just as it does humans. It is caused when the pancreas produces too little insulin. This leads to higher glucose levels in the system than are normal. They can also be too low, something known as hypoglycemia.
Ingestion or overexposure to various toxins can also be a contributing factor. For example, chocolate is highly toxic to dogs. You should never give them any. Another big toxin to watch out for is antifreeze. Also known as ethylene glycol, it has a sweet taste and aroma that is attractive to pets. Even the smallest amount can kill a large canine. Crystals will form on the kidneys, shutting them down and eventually killing the pet slowly.
Another major culprit is the canine distemper disease. This virus is devastating and known to be fatal in over seventy-five percent of cases. The body is slowly and thoroughly ravaged over time. The condition basically attacks and shuts down every system in the body. It is highly contagious and excruciating to the infected animal. However, it can be avoided with a yearly vaccination.
These are common culprits of seizures but certainly not all of the possibilities. If a veterinarian runs multiple tests and still cannot find a direct cause, he will usually diagnose your pet as having epilepsy. This only means that the animal is repeatedly seizuring without it being caused by another condition. It is thought that a chemical imbalance in the brain leads to misfiring of neurons which causes the episode. It usually shows up between the ages of six months to five years.
Should your animal have a seizure, there are things you should be prepared to do. First, try to stay calm. If he's not on the floor, put him there so he can't get hurt from a fall. The dog will not swallow his tongue, so don't put your hand in his mouth; you may be bitten. Clear the room of other pets and children. Carefully observe the dog so you can accurately report it to your vet. If it lasts more than three minutes or immediately repeats, call your vet immediately.