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 propensity or known genetic predisposition to seizure activity. In these breeds an alteration to their neuronal excitation/inhibition balance predisposed 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
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 theoretically not have any neurologic deficits on examination. The duration of the inter-ictal period can vary from, in some extreme cases, a few seconds to minutes, however more commonly a few days to months.
Seizures may be generalized, accompanied by loss of consciousness and autonomic control, or focal/partial seizures where the animal has uncontrolled activity in a body region while maintaining environmental awareness. Animals may also present as focal seizure activity that progresses to generalized episodes.
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 theoretically not have any neurologic deficits on examination. The duration of the inter-ictal period can vary from, in some extreme cases, a few seconds to minutes, however more commonly a few days to months.
Seizures may be generalized, accompanied by loss of consciousness and autonomic control, or focal/partial seizures where the animal has uncontrolled activity in a body region while maintaining environmental awareness. Animals may also present as focal seizure activity that progresses to generalized episodes.
Clinical Signs:
Behavioral/Mental Awareness
Anxious
Behavior changes
“Gazing”
Unresponsive to environmental and or physical stimuli/Loss of consciousness (generalized)
Seizure activity (focal or generalized) manifested through apparently uncontrolled movements and/or automatisms and/or autonomic abnormalities.
Posture and Appearance
“Shaking”
Muscle “shivering”
With grand mal seizures often will assume a lateral recumbent position
Movement
Circling
Falling
“Stiffness” in neck and legs
Turning head to one side
Vigorous peddling/paddling of limbs as though gaiting however in a recumbent position
Cranial Nerves
Blindness
Contracting facial muscles
Dilated pupils
Nystagmus
Special Functions (e.g. respiration; urination)
Salivation
Defecating
Urinating
Vomiting
Other
Chewing
Status epilepticus (continual seizure activity)
Behavioral/Mental Awareness
Anxious
Behavior changes
“Gazing”
Unresponsive to environmental and or physical stimuli/Loss of consciousness (generalized)
Seizure activity (focal or generalized) manifested through apparently uncontrolled movements and/or automatisms and/or autonomic abnormalities.
Posture and Appearance
“Shaking”
Muscle “shivering”
With grand mal seizures often will assume a lateral recumbent position
Movement
Circling
Falling
“Stiffness” in neck and legs
Turning head to one side
Vigorous peddling/paddling of limbs as though gaiting however in a recumbent position
Cranial Nerves
Blindness
Contracting facial muscles
Dilated pupils
Nystagmus
Special Functions (e.g. respiration; urination)
Salivation
Defecating
Urinating
Vomiting
Other
Chewing
Status epilepticus (continual seizure activity)
Intracranial
Unknown
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