2023-08-02 02:20:36
Hyemi Park 24 Hours Bundang Leaders Animal Medical Center (veterinary hospital)
Head of Severe Internal Medicine Center
When a pet suddenly has a seizure one day, the owner is very surprised and embarrassed. Therefore, I would like to introduce whether the appearance the guardian witnessed is a seizure, and if the companion animal has experienced a seizure, what kind of diagnosis and treatment are needed following that.
Seizures are symptoms of abnormal excitation of cerebral nerve cells. Before the onset of a seizure, patients may exhibit abnormal behavior, such as being agitated or restless. Prodromal symptoms immediately before the onset of a seizure include ▲ head down or hiding ▲ walking around in the same place ▲ licking ▲ drooling ▲ vomiting ▲ howling ▲ abnormal behavior such as excitement.
When a seizure is seen, ▲fainting ▲muscle tension ▲jawing and chewing ▲drooling ▲involuntary defecation and urination may occur. Seizures usually last from a few seconds to a few minutes. After the seizure, abnormal behavior may persist for up to several hours. Epilepsy refers to a condition of chronic recurrent seizures.
With the exception of some cases of visiting the emergency room, most cases of seizure symptoms are rare during examination, so the information obtained from the guardian is important for veterinarians. If the owner can describe the symptoms and approximate time from the onset to the end of the seizure, whether this is the first seizure, whether the symptoms are the same if multiple, the age at which the first seizure occurred, the interval between seizures, and the conditions before and following the seizure, the veterinarian help in diagnosis
Most seizures in dogs and cats are tonic-clonic and are generalized muscle seizures. The muscles are tense and the body is rigid as the legs are stretched out on the side and bent in an arch shape. Paddling or masticatory movements that move the legs as if riding a bicycle appear due to the regular contraction of the muscles.
During a seizure, there is usually no consciousness, but in some patients the seizures are of low intensity and remain conscious. The causes of these seizures can be largely classified as idiopathic, intracerebral, or extracerebral.
▲ Idiopathic Epilepsy =Seizures in dogs are common and the cause of seizures is not clear. Relatively rare in cats. German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Beagles, and Dachshunds are genetically predisposed to it, but it can also appear in other breeds. The first seizure usually begins between the ages of 6 months and 3 years, although onset may occur later. The frequency of seizures varies from patient to patient, but usually occurs at intervals of weeks or months. It responds well to oral anticonvulsants.
▲ Intracerebral disease =Cerebral disease usually causes seizures. With these diseases, congenital and inflammatory diseases are most common in young animals, and tumors are often identified in dogs and cats over 6 years of age.
▲ Extracerebral disease =Metabolic disorders such as hypoglycemia, hepatic encephalopathy, hypocalcemia, and hyperlipidemia can cause seizures in dogs and cats. Diseases that increase the viscosity of the blood, such as multiple myeloma and polycythemia, severe electrolyte imbalance, increased osmolality due to diabetes, hypertension, heat stroke, and uremia can also cause seizures.
Therefore, patients who visit with seizures should always be evaluated for epilepsy or extracerebral factors together with discrimination for epilepsy or intracerebral factors. This is why a full body examination, such as a complete blood count (CBC), serum test, urinalysis, and radiology/ultrasound, is performed before deciding on an MRI scan.
After diagnosis, seizures in dogs and cats can be controlled with anticonvulsant treatment. Not all patients require immediate anticonvulsant treatment, but anticonvulsant treatment is recommended in the following cases:
(1) Seizures are observed 2 or more times in 3 months.
(2) Seizures were induced by progressive brain lesions.
(3) Cluster seizures or status epilepticus occur more than twice a year.
(4) Increased frequency or intensity of seizures.
Seizures in dogs and cats are difficult to fully control. Reducing the frequency or severity of seizures is the goal of realistic treatment. In the case of idiopathic epilepsy, regarding 70-80% of patients can be controlled. After initiation of anticonvulsant treatment, caregivers should record the frequency and severity of seizures and consult with the attending veterinarian to determine the effectiveness of the drug. The veterinarian can adjust the dose of the drug, taking into account the side effects of the drug and the blood level of the drug.
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