Epilepsy in Animals

Epilepsy in animals - is a chronic disease of the brain characterized by recurrent seizure syndromes are not provoked.

Epilepsy refers to one of the most common diseases of the keppra to buy online here central nervous system occurring in dogs and cats.

Types of Epilepsy:

The true (idiopathic), is inherited. The first attack of idiopathic epilepsy in dogs can occur between the ages of 6 months. up to 5 years earlier crises up to 6 months. or after 5 years is not considered to be idiopathic epilepsy.False (acquired) can be caused by many reasons:

metabolic disorders (hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, hypoxia, kidney and liver);
EFFECTS Development (hydrocephalus, Lissencephaly);
toxic (lead poisoning, arsenic, organophosphates, strychnine);
infections (rabies, plague, encephalitis, parvovirus, toxoplasmosis, etc..);
TBI (traumatic brain injury in cats often lead to epilepsy than in dogs);
brain tumor;
malnutrition (lack of thiamine);
intestinal parasites;
heatstroke.

There is a breed predisposition to idiopathic epilepsy, have the greatest breed as Beagle. dachshund, poodle, Welsh - Corgi, terriers, German shepherds, Irish Setter, Golden Retriever, Siberian Husky, St. Bernard, Keeshond, Tervuren, Springer Spaniel, Cocker - Spaniel.

Stages of an epileptic seizure.

Changing behavior can occur aggression towards others in a few hours or even days before the attack. "Aura" - the beginning of the attack - nervousness, irritability, whining, trying to hide. The attack - increasing muscle tone, selection of mouth foam, vacant look, involuntary urination and defecation.

After the attack the animal can not get up, disoriented in space, possibly temporary blindness. Most attacks happen at night or early in the morning, perhaps this is due to the low level of brain activity in the deep sleep period that allows the epileptic focus to show their pathogenic properties and cause a crisis.

Sometimes convulsive effects may not be apparent: small dog can twitch his head, and the cat - frantically to catch imaginary flies.

Manifestation of the disease depends on the location of focus of seizure activity in the brain and from the spread of "improper" driving on the nerve cells of the cerebral cortex.

The owners should be very attentive to your pet, what would define an attack coming on stage "aura". It is desirable to isolate the animal from other pets and family members, to put the animal on a soft absorbent litter, possible to impose soft pillows. During the attack to keep your hands away from the mouth of the dog, specially decompress jaw during an animal attack is not necessary. If your pet after an attack does not recover the normal breathing or attack happened the first time you need to seek emergency medical attention or call him at home.

Recognition of the owner of the clinical symptoms of epilepsy is important for diagnosis. At the doctor's owner must describe in detail the behavioral response of the animal, talk about housing and feeding conditions, vaccination, about past illnesses and injuries. Share this history of seizures - the age at which appeared, duration, frequency, presence of aura. In order to correctly install the diagnosis and adequate treatment is necessary to conduct a number of studies:

examination of the heart and lungs (auscultation, ECG, X-ray of the chest cavity);
blood tests (general clinical analysis, biochemical analysis, blood serology virus feline leukemia, feline infectious peritonitis, toxoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, distemper, infectious hepatitis, etc.);
Analysis of urine
neurological research (determine the state of the cranial nerves, the test expression and the same reflexes determine motor function and limb reflexes in idiopathic seizures frequently observed neurological deficit in the period between the attacks and in some dogs it is celebrated for several days after the attack..);
Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (cell number, protein concentration, pressure);

On the basis of these studies conducted by the physician provides an opinion - true or false epilepsy. In the case of false epilepsy after removing the cause, if it can be treated, seizures may stop. Animals with idiopathic epilepsy condition can only be controlled. Treatment involves the use of anticonvulsants with individual selection of doses under the constant supervision of the attending physician. Similarly, diagnosis and treatment of carefully selected achieves good results - to reduce the frequency of attacks and prevent disease progression. In the absence of timely assistance to the animal may be a complication of epilepsy - status epilepticus. Status epilepticus - a condition in which there is a row 2, and more seizures attack without the recovery period or duration between the attack is greater than 30 minutes. If assistance in status epilepticus is not provided in time, it may lead to death, so in such cases must urgently deliver the pet to a veterinary clinic.