Epilepsy in Dogs

If you’re wondering Can dogs have epilepsy? the answer is yes. Epilepsy is the most common long-term brain condition seen in dogs. About 0.6% to 0.75% of dogs are affected by epilepsy,^1,2 making it a condition that many veterinarians help pet owners manage every day.

Keep reading to learn about symptoms and causes of epilepsy in dogs, treatment of dogs with epilepsy, and more.

What is Epilepsy in Dogs?

Epilepsy is a disease of the brain that causes a dog to have repeated seizures. For a diagnosis of epilepsy, a dog must have had at least two seizures that were unprovoked and happened more than 24 hours apart. A single seizure does not mean a dog has epilepsy.³

So what exactly is a seizure? A seizure is a short episode caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. These episodes can look different from dog to dog and can range from a brief change in behavior to dramatic physical signs like muscle twitching or collapsing.⁴

Epilepsy affects dogs in different ways, depending on seizure frequency and treatment. Short-term effects following the seizure include confusion, weakness and behavior changes. Severe or repeated dog seizures can lead to complications like brain damage or injury. Long-term effects may include anxiety but most commonly are due to side effects from medications used to treat epilepsy. With proper care, most dogs with idiopathic epilepsy can live a near-normal life.

Symptoms of Epilepsy in Dogs

Signs of seizures in dogs can vary widely in appearance. Some are dramatic and hard to miss, while others are subtle and brief. Knowing the signs helps you respond quickly and get your dog the care they need.

Signs That May Precede a Seizure in Dogs

Before a seizure begins (sometimes called an “aura”), dogs may show:

• Restlessness
• Clinginess or attention-seeking behavior
• Hiding or seeming unsettled

Signs of Seizures in Dogs⁴

• Loss of consciousness
• Stiffening of the body
• Jerking or “paddling” movements of the legs
• Drooling or foaming at the mouth
• Chewing or biting motions
• Accidental urination or defecation
• Staring or a “blank look”
• Twitching or jerking of certain muscles (face, one limb or a localized area)
• Sudden barking, whining or unusual vocalizing
• Circling or pacing
• Tremors or shaking
• Confusion or disorientation afterward
• Temporary blindness
• Weakness or unsteadiness when walking
• Anxiety, restlessness or aggression after a seizure

Types of Seizures⁴

Generalized seizures usually happen at rest and involve the whole body. Dogs may collapse, paddle their legs, drool, lose consciousness or lose control of their bladder or bowels. Afterward, they often seem confused, tired, hungry or unsteady on their feet.

Focal seizures or focal epilepsy in dogs affects just part of the brain and may look like facial twitching, lip licking or odd behaviors like staring into space. Dogs often remain conscious, and signs can be easy to miss.

If your dog cannot be distracted during an episode, it’s likely a seizure. However, seizures can often be confused with other health concerns. Recording the event can be very helpful for your veterinarian.

The Four Stages of a Seizure⁴

Recognizing the stages of a seizure can help you understand what’s happening and give your veterinarian helpful details.

• Prodrome – This early warning phase can begin hours or even days before a seizure. Some dogs show subtle changes like restlessness or anxiety.
• Aura – The aura occurs seconds to minutes before the seizure. Your dog may pace, drool, lick their lips, hide or seek attention. These behaviors are often repetitive and signal the seizure is about to start.
• Ictus – This is the seizure itself. Dogs may fall over, stiffen, paddle their legs, drool, chomp or lose control of their bladder or bowels. It usually lasts just a few seconds to a couple of minutes.
• Postictal phase – After the seizure, your dog may seem confused, tired, uncoordinated or temporarily blind. This recovery phase can last minutes to several hours.

What to Do if Your Dog Has a Seizure

• Stay calm – Most seizures are short and not painful for your dog.
• Clear the area – Move furniture or objects that could cause injury.
• Do not put anything in their mouth – It won’t help and could cause injury to the dog.
• Avoid putting your hands in or near your dog’s mouth – You could inadvertently get bitten.
• Time the seizure – If it lasts more than five minutes, seek emergency help.
• Record the event if safe – Video can help your veterinarian.
• Speak gently – Stay nearby to comfort your dog as they recover.
• Call your veterinarian – Especially if it’s the first seizure, lasts longer than usual or happens more than once in 24 hours, letting your dog’s veterinarian know is essential.

When to See the Veterinarian

You’ll want to visit your veterinarian if:

• Your dog has a seizure for the first time
• The seizure lasts more than 2-3 minutes
• Your dog has more than one seizure in a 24-hour period
• You are unsure if what you saw was a seizure
• Your dog has a seizure that looks different from previous ones

Bringing a video of the episode to your appointment can be incredibly helpful for diagnosis.

When is it an Emergency?

Dog seizures can be life-threatening in certain situations. Seek emergency veterinary care immediately if:

• The seizure lasts more than five minutes
• Your dog has two or more seizures without fully recovering between them (this is called “status epilepticus”)
• Your dog collapses and remains unconscious
• Your dog is having trouble breathing or shows signs of severe distress

These situations require fast action to prevent brain damage or complications.

Understanding the signs and stages of seizures, along with when to get help, can make all the difference in managing your dog’s health. Many dogs with epilepsy can live full, happy lives with the right care and support.

Causes of Epilepsy in Dogs^​3​

What causes epilepsy in dogs? Epilepsy is not just one condition. It can have different causes depending on the dog. Veterinarians group epilepsy in dogs into several categories based on what they believe to be the underlying cause.

How to Confirm Dog Epilepsy: Veterinary Diagnosis³

So what do you need to know about dogs and epileptic fits? When it comes to diagnosis, there is no single test to confirm epilepsy in dogs. Instead, veterinarians make the diagnosis by carefully ruling out other possible causes of seizures and looking at the overall pattern of your dog’s health, behavior and test results. This is called a diagnosis of exclusion; more information is available here.

Treatment for Epilepsy in Dogs

Once your dog is diagnosed with epilepsy, your veterinarian will talk with you about whether it’s the right time to begin treatment, with options such as those described in this article. This decision is a collaborative process between you and your veterinary team based on your dog’s overall health, the frequency and severity of seizures and how the treatment plan can best fit your dog’s needs and daily life. Many dogs with epilepsy can live happy, near-normal lives, although this depends on proper care.

For more expert tips, explore the causes and diagnosis as well as the treatment of epilepsy in dogs. 

References

1. Kearsley-Fleet L, O’Neill DG, Volk HA, et al. Prevalence and risk factors for canine epilepsy of unknown origin in the UK. Vet Rec. 2013;172(13):338.

2. Heske L, Nødtvedt A, Jäderlund KH, et al. A cohort study of epilepsy among 665,000 insured dogs: incidence, mortality and survival after diagnosis. Vet J. 2014;202(3):471-476.

3. Risio LD, Bhatti S, Muñana K, et al. International veterinary epilepsy task force consensus proposal: diagnostic approach to epilepsy in dogs. BMC Vet Res. 2015;11(1):148.

4. Seizures and other paroxysmal events. In: Nelson RW, Couto CG. Small Animal Internal Medicine [Kindle edition]. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2020.