Epilepsy in dogs or canine epilepsy is a disease that, while consistent with the life of the animal, is a great concern and shock for people who live at home, but don’t worry, there are many people who suffer as much as you do.Do.
In this Animal Expert article we will explain everything you need to understand this disease, its treatment and give you some basic tips on how to act in the event of a crisis.
- Remember that there are many other dogs in the world that suffer from this disease and that live in the best possible way with owners like you.
- Keep fighting and move on!.
Epilepsy is a neuronal disease that occurs when there is exaggerated and uncontrolled electrochemical activity in the brain.
It must be made clear that in the brain of dogs, as in humans, functions are performed by electrical stimuli that go from one neuron to another, in the case of epilepsy these electrical stimuli occur improperly, causing abnormal brain activity.
What happens in the brain is also reflected in the body, the electrochemical activity that occurs in neurons sends contraction orders to the muscles, which is characteristic of the symptoms of an epileptic crisis, where muscle activity is completely uncontrolled and involuntary.Other symptoms such as excessive salivation and loss of sphincter control may also be observed.
The causes of an epileptic seizure can be multiple: tumors, poisoning, liver failure, trauma, diabetes, …
But the cause of epilepsy (not one secondary seizure to another) remains hereditary, not only is it an inherited disease, but also affects certain breeds, such as the German Shepherd, the St. Bernard, the Beagle, the Setter, the Poodle., the Teckel and the Basset Hound.
However, this can also affect other breeds.The onset of the first epileptic crisis occurs between 6 months and 5 years.
A seizure lasts about 1 or 2 minutes, although for the human family of the animal it may seem like an eternity, it is very important that you know that in any circumstance you should try to pull your tongue, as it could bite you.
You must place the animal on a comfortable surface, such as a pillow or dog bed, so that it does not hurt or hurt against a surface.Keep your bed away from walls to avoid trauma.
After the attack, the dog will be exhausted and a little disoriented, give it maximum rest and recovery, many times the owners of the animal can see that the dog will suffer a seizure because it is more nervous, agitated, with tremors and difficulties of coordination..
Many sources claim that epilepsy can be a trauma to children living at home, but fortunately many seizures occur overnight, however, it is considered convenient to explain to the child what is happening to their dog, while specifying that they should not suffer for the life of the animal.
As mentioned above, an epileptic seizure can be like many other diseases or a real epilepsy, if your pet has had such a seizure, take it immediately to the veterinarian, only he will be able to make a proper diagnosis.
Epilepsy is not a danger to the life of the animal, although precautions must be taken to ensure that it does not suffer any harm. Treatment is with medications that reduce brain activity, such as phenobarbital, and can also be treated with muscle relaxants such as diazepam.
Owners involved and attentive to the care needed by an epileptic dog is undoubtedly an important factor in improving the quality of life of the animal.
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any type of diagnosis, we suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any condition or discomfort.
If you would like to read articles similar to, we recommend that you visit our Mental Health Issues section.