one , What is epilepsy?
Primary epilepsy is also called true epilepsy or spontaneous epilepsy, which is a concept relative to secondary epilepsy. If the structural changes and metabolic abnormalities that can explain epilepsy cannot be found in the brain and whole body of dogs and cats clinically or according to the existing medical level, that is, the cause of epileptic seizures cannot be found, which is called primary. epilepsy.
Idiopathic epilepsy is a hereditary disease of canines with high heritability. Most are idiopathic epilepsy. This may also be caused by long-term inbreeding of dogs, which will cause the dog’s cerebral cortex to overreact to the outside world; but it may also be caused by external sound sources, light sources, or other stimuli or fright, resulting in seizures in dogs. The brain structure of dogs and cats with idiopathic epilepsy is normal, but the brain function will be abnormal. Seizures are often manifested as movement disorders, and are more common in adult dogs and cats. With the increase of age, dogs and cats have more seizures. Frequent and more severe.
Secondary epilepsy is also called symptomatic epilepsy. Epilepsy caused by organic brain lesions, viral infections, parasitic infections, metabolic disorders, and poisoning can all become secondary epilepsy. epilepsy. In addition, brain nerve damage, allergies, and overstimulation in dogs and cats may also lead to seizures.
two , Symptoms of epilepsy in dogs and cats
Epileptic seizures are sudden, temporary and recurring, so epilepsy in dogs and cats is also a relatively difficult disease to cure. If divided by clinical symptoms, there are three types of epileptic seizures: grand mal, petit mal and localized seizure, among which grand mal is the most common one.
The grand mal seizures of idiopathic epilepsy can be further divided into three stages: aura, ictal and postictal.
When dogs and cats with epilepsy are in the aura stage, they often show symptoms such as restlessness, constant shaking or nodding, and frantic barking. They also prefer to hide in the dark, but these symptoms usually do not last. Too long, too short to be noticeable.
When dogs and cats are in the epilepsy stage, consciousness will gradually lose, muscle spasms will transition from tonic to paroxysmal, limbs will appear like swimming, accompanied by dilated pupils, salivation, urinary incontinence, Symptoms, such as foaming at the mouth, may persist for seconds or minutes.
In the late stage of epilepsy in dogs and cats, there may be visual impairment, confusion, physical fatigue, and ataxia, but the consciousness of dogs and cats will gradually recover, and this period may continue Days. Seizures in dogs and cats have intermittent periods of variable duration, which may occur several times a day or once in several months, and the intermittent periods usually have no abnormal performance.
Petit mal seizures in dogs and cats are relatively rare, and generally have no aura symptoms, and may be just short-term fainting or subtle behavioral changes. Localized seizures in dogs and cats usually manifest as muscle spasms in one part of the body, and the occurrence is limited to this part and does not spread spontaneously.
Three 、Treatment of epilepsy in pet dogs and cats
In general, dogs and cats suffering from primary epilepsy cannot be cured, which is the same as that of many hereditary diseases. In the future, when medical technology is more developed, there will also be the possibility of a cure. The treatment of secondary epilepsy in dogs and cats should first find out the primary cause. If the primary cause can be completely cured, the epilepsy symptoms can be gradually alleviated. Otherwise, secondary epilepsy in dogs and cats is difficult to cure.
However, pet owners can also give dogs and cats medication to relieve seizures, such as bitoan, also known as phenobarbital, This is a drug specifically designed to treat grand mal epilepsy in dogs and cats. This product can inhibit the continuous discharge of over-discharged neurons and limit the spread of discharge, so that the EEG returns to normal when dogs and cats have epilepsy, and the effect can be seen within one to two hours after taking the drug. Epilepsy caused by encephalitis, parasites, poisoning, overstimulation, etc. can be relieved by taking this medicine, and pet families can also keep this medicine.
Usage and dosage: Direct oral administration, 6-12 mg for dogs and cats weighing 1kg, and so on. However, dogs and cats with hepatic and renal insufficiency, bronchial asthma and other diseases cannot use this drug, and dogs and cats with severe anemia, weakened heart function and pregnancy should use this drug with caution, and it is best to consult a veterinarian before use.
In addition, dogs and cats after epileptic seizures should be managed and given digestible food supplements. If dogs and cats have symptoms such as incontinence and vomiting during epileptic seizures, they can be supplemented with pet electrolytes, such as glucose, amino acids, vitamins and various electrolytes, so that dogs and cats can quickly recover their physical fitness and enhance immunity.
Usage and dosage: 1:1 mixed with drinking water, 50ml/kg for cats, 44ml/kg for dogs weighing less than 8kg, and 44ml/kg for dogs weighing 8-20kg. 33ml/kg, it can be fed in small amounts in the early stage, and after the pet’s condition is relieved, it can be taken freely for 2-5 days.
Notes:
When dogs and cats have epileptic seizures, pet owners should also pay attention to some issues, such as not touching them immediately, which may not only aggravate the symptoms of dog and cat epilepsy, but also may accidentally injure themselves. Know what you are doing. The correct way is to move the items that may cause injury near the dog or cat away, so that the dog and cat are in a more open place, but the pet owner can’t make a very loud noise, let alone scream, let the dog and cat try their best to do it. Keep away from sound and light to avoid persistent seizures in dogs and cats. If dogs and cats vomit during seizures, pets should clean up their vomit in time to avoid vomit blocking the dog’s or cat’s airway and causing difficulty breathing. After dogs and cats have epileptic seizures, pets should take them to the hospital as soon as possible to find out the cause, and carry out symptomatic treatment to reduce the possibility of epileptic seizures in the future.
Poisoning and viral infection are relatively common causes of epileptic seizures in dogs and cats, so pet owners should pay attention to the safety of dogs and cats’ diet. Avoid ingesting poisonous plants, chemicals, spoiled food and other things that may cause food poisoning, and avoid human medicine and veterinary use, which may also cause poisoning in dogs and cats. The most important preventive measure for virus infection is vaccination, so pet owners must vaccinate dogs and cats in time to reduce the possibility of dogs and cats being infected with the virus, so as to avoid seizures in dogs and cats. In addition, no matter what disease the dog or cat suffers from, the pet owner should take them to the hospital for treatment in time, so that they can recover as soon as possible to avoid the deterioration of the condition and cause more diseases.
If dogs and cats have had epileptic seizures, avoid sound and light sources during intermittent periods, otherwise this may make seizures more frequent. Epilepsy is also a disease that can easily lead to the death of dogs and cats, so even if it is difficult to cure, pet owners should try to avoid the triggering factors of epileptic seizures as much as possible, and take measures to prevent various causes of epileptic seizures, so as to avoid tragedy as much as possible happened. If you have questions about seizures in dogs and cats, you can also consult your veterinarian.
