Idiopathic Epilepsy
Epilepsy is recurrent seizures regardless of cause. This disease can be broadly divided into idiopathic (primary; genetic) and acquired (secondary to another primary disease; cryptogenic) forms. Multiple breeds have a known genetic predisposition to seizures. In these breeds, an alteration to their neuronal excitation/inhibition balance predisposes them to seizure activity.
Age of Onset: Any age of animal can be affected. Dogs typically have their first seizure between 6 months - 6 years of age.
Sex Predisposition: Any sex of animal can be affected
*Some reports suggest there may be an increased prevalence of idiopathic epilepsy in males compared to females (Kearsley‐Fleet et al., 2013)
*Some reports suggest there may be an increased prevalence of idiopathic epilepsy in males compared to females (Kearsley‐Fleet et al., 2013)
Clinical Course:Clinical signs are variable and may worsen over time. The duration of the pre-ictal, ictal, and post-ictal phases can last from a few minutes to over 24 hours. In the inter-ictal period, dogs with idiopathic epilepsy should not have any neurologic deficits noted during the neurologic exam. The duration of the inter-ictal period can vary from a few days to months.
Seizures may present as generalized, accompanied by loss of consciousness and autonomic control, or as focal/partial seizures where the animal has uncontrolled convulsions of a specific anatomic area and typically maintains consciousness. Animals may also present as a mixture with primarily focal seizures that can progress into generalized episodes.
Seizures may present as generalized, accompanied by loss of consciousness and autonomic control, or as focal/partial seizures where the animal has uncontrolled convulsions of a specific anatomic area and typically maintains consciousness. Animals may also present as a mixture with primarily focal seizures that can progress into generalized episodes.
Clinical Signs:
Behavioral/Mental Awareness
Anxious
Behavior changes
“Gazing”
Unresponsive/Loss of consciousness (generalized seizures)
Seizures (focal or generalized)
Posture and Appearance
“Shaking”
Muscle “shivering”
With grand mal seizures often will assume a lateral recumbent position
Focal seizures
Movement
Circling
Falling
“Stiffness” in neck and legs
Turning head to one side
Vigorous peddling/paddling of limbs
Cranial Nerves
Blindness
Contracting facial muscles
Dilated pupils
Nystagmus
Special Functions (e.g. respiration; urination)
Salivation
Defecating
Urinating
Vomiting
Other
Chewing
Status epilepticus (if left untreated, protracted seizures can result in death)
Behavioral/Mental Awareness
Anxious
Behavior changes
“Gazing”
Unresponsive/Loss of consciousness (generalized seizures)
Seizures (focal or generalized)
Posture and Appearance
“Shaking”
Muscle “shivering”
With grand mal seizures often will assume a lateral recumbent position
Focal seizures
Movement
Circling
Falling
“Stiffness” in neck and legs
Turning head to one side
Vigorous peddling/paddling of limbs
Cranial Nerves
Blindness
Contracting facial muscles
Dilated pupils
Nystagmus
Special Functions (e.g. respiration; urination)
Salivation
Defecating
Urinating
Vomiting
Other
Chewing
Status epilepticus (if left untreated, protracted seizures can result in death)
Intracranial- forebrain
Unknown
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