5 Signs of Epilepsy in Dogs (and How to Help)
Dogs experience many of the same health disorders as humans, and epilepsy is one of them. It affects roughly 0.75% of the canine population, making it one of the most common neurological conditions found in dogs.
If your furry friend isn’t feeling well, it has to be difficult to see them suffer through discomfort. Thankfully, there are effective epilepsy treatments available.
To learn more about the signs of epilepsy in dogs, keep reading the information below.
What Is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a severe, long-term condition that triggers repeated seizures.
In many cases, epilepsy is a lifelong disorder. When a seizure happens, there’s irregular electrical activity in the brain that causes sporadic changes in a dog’s behavior and movement. However, the episodes are short.
Some dogs are predisposed to epilepsy and they have a higher chance of having the illness than others, and the root cause is usually hereditary.
Signs of Epilepsy in Dogs
If your dog is suffering from epilepsy, there are few signs that’ll let you know. Below are some of the symptoms to look out for:
1. Aura
Before a dog has a seizure, they’ll usually become restless or behave in an abnormal manner. This stage is called the aura or the pre-ictal stage. The things that dogs are experiencing during this moment is unknown.
However, people with epilepsy say that they see a bright light and spots, smell weird odors, and hear strange sounds. Many of them also experience a tingling sensation, numbness, anxiety, or nausea.
The aura phase usually lasts for a few seconds to several minutes.
2. Seizures
There are different types of seizures, but the most common is a generalized or “grand mal” seizure which affects a large portion of the brain. Dogs that experience generalized seizures will fall down, urinate or defecate involuntarily, stretch out their legs, or become unaware of their environment.
Some canines also have partial seizures known as focal seizures. Many dogs who experience these are aware of their surroundings and their movement is isolated to one area of their body.
For instance, they will kick one of their legs out repeatedly. Just like the aura stage, a seizure can last between a few seconds to several moments.
3. Activity Around the Mouth
Some signs of a seizure may not be noticeable. For example, if your dog involuntarily urinates as a result of a seizure, you might assume it was accidental.
However, there are other symptoms that are more identifiable. Your pup might drool, chomp, foam at the mouth, or chew on its tongue. If this happens, it’s an indicator of a seizure.
4. Post-ictal Phase
After a seizure, a dog enters the post-ictal phase. During this timeframe, they might feel confused, behave abnormally, or have trouble walking. This could last for a few minutes or for multiple hours before a dog returns to normal.
If the seizure lasts for a long period, it could create permanent neurological damage.
5. Other Health Issues
Some dogs have other health conditions that trigger epilepsy. Diseases like kidney disease, anemia, brain cancer, liver disease, or abnormal blood pressure are just a few. A dog could also begin experiencing seizures after a head injury.
Seizure Triggers
To minimize the severity and frequency of epileptic seizures, give your pup CBD on a regular basis. Relief is usually obtained by administering a twice-daily dosage.
Some dogs seem to have triggers that contribute to seizures, while others don’t. Stimulant triggers differ within individual dogs.
Stress is a huge contributor to seizures and it’s brought on by a variety of factors like a different environment, thunderstorms, and more. Also, certain foods or meds also ignite seizures in their dog
Does a Seizure Require a Trip to the Vet?
Believe it or not, every seizure doesn’t warrant an emergency room trip. They’re frightening to watch but your dog can actually bounce back from them.
However, there are a few telltale signs that will let you know if the seizure they’re having is life-threatening, such as:
- Three seizures within a 24-hour period
- A seizure that lasts longer than five minutes
- Seizures that happen in clusters
- When your dog doesn’t recover between episodes
If you notice any of the symptoms above, it’s important to get your dog to the vet as soon as possible.
CBD Oil for Seizure Reduction
All mammals have an endocannabinoid system, which is a system of numerous receptors that stabilize bodily functions. Endocannabinoids are organized by the body to maintain homeostasis.
When an illness like epilepsy interacts with homeostasis, compounds found within the hemp plant help to restore balance.
The two types of endocannabinoid receptors are CB1 receptors, which operate primarily in the brain, organs, nervous system, and glands. Also, there are CB2 receptors that mainly reside in the cells of the immune system.
CBD positively interacts with both types, but its ability to soothe hyperactive neurons and control seizures comes from its interaction with CB1 receptors. When the nervous system is damaged by a disease or injury, CBD can renew homeostasis.
According to a clinical study, 89% of dogs that received CBD had seizure reduction.
When it comes to seizures, full-spectrum CBD is the best solution. It ensures that the product creates the “entourage effect”.
Full-spectrum is filled with the compounds found in the hemp plant and when they work together, they provide a more potent effect.
Relief for Your Dog's Epilepsy
Are you looking for CBD oil to use for your dog’s epilepsy treatments? If so, Mile High Paw Ducts is the solution.
Our oils are available in customized dosages to fit your pup’s size. If you need a little help, we have a dosage calculator to assist you with selecting the correct product.
Also, although our CBD is full-spectrum, it only contains trace amounts of THC. Therefore, there’s no psychoactive effect or “high”.
If you have questions, feel free to contact us, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
We’re here to provide helpful solutions to pet owners noticing signs of epilepsy in dogs. Our goal is to ensure the health and well-being of your furry friend.
