by Sandra DeMers
Treating the disease of epilepsy dogs will develop is not an unusual problem. It is a disease that causes seizures. Not all seizures are caused by epilepsy, but epilepsy will always cause seizures. These seizures are due to an imbalance in the electrical impulse in the brain. It is believed that most cases of epilepsy are genetic.
The disease is broken down into two categories. The first, and most common, is idiopathic. Idiopathic epilepsy means that it is a genetic condition. There will often be a history of the disease in the dog's lineage.
The other type of the disease is often caused by a lack of nutrients, or a toxin in the environment. Lead and other toxic substances can trigger the epileptic seizures, as can a lack of certain vitamins.
The primary symptoms of epilepsy are the seizures. There are many types of seizures. People familiar with epilepsy in humans will recognize these categories. There are the grand mal seizures. In the grand mal seizure the dog might collapse, lose consciousness and exhibit other extreme behaviors. This type of seizure is associated with the first form of epilepsy.
Seizures come in all degrees. There are some seizures which are very slight. The dog may appear to be shaking and or twitching. It may not appear to even be a seizure to many people.
Having a dog with epilepsy can present many problems, however you can find ways to help treat the dog. While there is no cure for epilepsy there are medications that can treat it. These medications can limit the amount of seizures or limit the degree to which the seizures occur. Some of the medications are the same medications that humans use. Valium is used in some instances, as well as neurontin, are some of the medications.
If you happen to see your dog go into a seizure, it is important to remain calm. You should also try and remember what happened before the seizure. How the dog was acting is important in helping with the diagnosis.
You will also want to observe what your dog has been eating and what materials they have been exposed to. Being observant will help determine if the dog has primary Epilepsy or if perhaps the seizures are caused by some secondary environmental factor.
After the seizure, you should take your dog to a veterinarian. The vet will perform tests including blood work and brain scans. This will look into whether the seizures have been caused by a toxic presence in the dogs life, or rather is primary epilepsy.
It is important to keep the dog's environment as clean and free of toxic substances as possible. Also, once the dog is put on medication, there are concerns about side effects that must be watched. Certain drugs that treat epilepsy can lead to side effects and live damage.
It is also unwise to stop the drugs without lowing the dose. Like many medications for humans, suddenly ceasing all intake can itself cause a problem. Because of this you will often be told by the vet to gradually lower the dose.
Even though the disease is never cured, it can be controlled. The comfort level of a dog with epilepsy is now much better then it was in previous years. Medications can ensure that a dog can have limited effects and live a happier and more peaceful existence.
The disease is broken down into two categories. The first, and most common, is idiopathic. Idiopathic epilepsy means that it is a genetic condition. There will often be a history of the disease in the dog's lineage.
The other type of the disease is often caused by a lack of nutrients, or a toxin in the environment. Lead and other toxic substances can trigger the epileptic seizures, as can a lack of certain vitamins.
The primary symptoms of epilepsy are the seizures. There are many types of seizures. People familiar with epilepsy in humans will recognize these categories. There are the grand mal seizures. In the grand mal seizure the dog might collapse, lose consciousness and exhibit other extreme behaviors. This type of seizure is associated with the first form of epilepsy.
Seizures come in all degrees. There are some seizures which are very slight. The dog may appear to be shaking and or twitching. It may not appear to even be a seizure to many people.
Having a dog with epilepsy can present many problems, however you can find ways to help treat the dog. While there is no cure for epilepsy there are medications that can treat it. These medications can limit the amount of seizures or limit the degree to which the seizures occur. Some of the medications are the same medications that humans use. Valium is used in some instances, as well as neurontin, are some of the medications.
If you happen to see your dog go into a seizure, it is important to remain calm. You should also try and remember what happened before the seizure. How the dog was acting is important in helping with the diagnosis.
You will also want to observe what your dog has been eating and what materials they have been exposed to. Being observant will help determine if the dog has primary Epilepsy or if perhaps the seizures are caused by some secondary environmental factor.
After the seizure, you should take your dog to a veterinarian. The vet will perform tests including blood work and brain scans. This will look into whether the seizures have been caused by a toxic presence in the dogs life, or rather is primary epilepsy.
It is important to keep the dog's environment as clean and free of toxic substances as possible. Also, once the dog is put on medication, there are concerns about side effects that must be watched. Certain drugs that treat epilepsy can lead to side effects and live damage.
It is also unwise to stop the drugs without lowing the dose. Like many medications for humans, suddenly ceasing all intake can itself cause a problem. Because of this you will often be told by the vet to gradually lower the dose.
Even though the disease is never cured, it can be controlled. The comfort level of a dog with epilepsy is now much better then it was in previous years. Medications can ensure that a dog can have limited effects and live a happier and more peaceful existence.
About the Author:
Sandra DeMers is the author of Cory's Story, the story of how one dog conquered canine epilepsy that will absolutely AMAZE you. Visit her website to learn other epilepsy dogs and Sandra's secret to good canine health--you'll be surprised when you learn the truth.
