17 Causes Of Seizures In Dogs

A specific gene in dogs, called the LGI2, is primarily responsible for canine epilepsy. And, not all dogs start showing the symptoms at the same time; the signs can commence in dogs as young as 6 months to 5 years.

While, in many cases, epilepsy can be genetic, it’s not the only way a dog can contract this condition. The illness can also develop as a result of other health conditions, including but not limited to brain tumors, brain injury, and kidney failure.

Brain tumors, whether primary or lymphoma, can change the brain’s neurological activity, eventually triggering an episode of seizure. Tumors, which can impact the supratentorial nervous system, have a greater possibility of triggering seizures than those on regions of the brain.

In its essence, diagnosing brain tumors in dogs as the cause of seizures can be a costly procedure; you will have to spend money on expensive imaging techniques such as MRI or CT scans. To be more certain, try linking the episode with additional symptoms like vision problems, behavioral change, and difficulty walking.

When it comes to brain infections, encephalitis and meningitis are the two key reasons for dog seizures. Characterized by the redness of the brain tissues, encephalitis obstructs normal brain function and increases intracranial pressure.

Meningitis, on the other hand, injures the brain and the spinal cord, thus affecting the protective membranes. After brain infection is narrowed down as the source of seizures, a combination of antibiotics and antiviral medications can be applied to alleviate the infection and brain swelling.

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is an essential liquid present in the brain, responsible for supporting and holding delicate parts of the brain. But, when the liquid is produced in excess, it can enter the brain through its cavities.

The condition, known as hydrocephalus in dogs, is an underresearched subject and many things about how it works are yet to be known. Though vets can help to stop the overproduction of CSF, a complete cure for hydrocephalus is yet to be developed.

When harmful toxins enter a dog’s bloodstream, it ceases the normal functioning of the immune system and can even trigger seizures. Foods and everyday items, that are safe for humans, can be poison to dogs.

Chocolates and xylitol, a sugar substitute, are two seemingly harmless foods for humans that can wreak havoc on the dog’s nervous systems. These poisonings can’t be treated at home; contact your vet immediately after your dog shows any signs of toxins.

Metabolism is a vital process carried out by every living organism- it converts the food into energy for normal physical functioning. When this process is disturbed, it can trigger a series of conditions, including confusion, weakness, and even seizures.

Disorders like hypoglycemia and diabetes are common metabolic diseases, directly linked to their food consumption. Normally, these conditions are diagnosed through a series of blood tests and other procedures to pinpoint the actual issue. The road to recovery begins once the underlying cause is discovered.

Genetic disorders in dogs can play a significant role in causing seizures in dogs, with certain breeds being more inclined due to inherited genetic factors. Paroxysm is one of the most common genetic conditions associated with seizures.

Seizures occur without a recognizable cause, and the condition often takes over in a breed-specific manner. Other genetic disorders that can cause seizures include inherited metabolic disorders and certain structural brain abnormalities.

In dogs, strokes are less common than in humans but can still occur and lead to important neurological signs. Seizures following a stroke may be revealed as sudden onset spasms, disorientation, or uncoordinated movements. Other signs might include sudden changes in behavior, difficulty walking, or vision problems.

Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying causes of stroke, such as managing blood clots or controlling bleeding, and providing supportive care to the affected brain regions.

For perfect locomotion, electrolytes like Phosphate ions need to have at least the proper amount in a dog's body. When these inner salts are out of balance, the brain might face difficulty in transmitting neurons to other parts of the body.

This lack of mobility can often turn into distressful episodes of seizure. Besides phosphorus, calcium imbalances should also be handled effectively without delay.

Also referred to as renal failure, kidney failure causes the collection of harmful substances in the body. When the kidneys are fully functional, these toxins get filtered out as urine.

But, in the absence of functioning kidneys, these waste products can remain in the system for a long time. Called uremia and kidney disease in dogs, this condition can be diagnosed through the identification of symptoms like excessive peeing, vomiting, and weight loss.

Extremely difficult to diagnose, brain inflammation is usually tested through the reduction technique. It means the usual causes of seizures need to be disproved before diagnosing brain inflammation, or encephalitis.

An immune-mediated condition, where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks brain tissue, brain inflammation takes a long time to recover. Early diagnosis has a higher chance of treatment; consult your vet at the first signs of this issue.

Do you live somewhere with regular exposure to hot weather? If yes, your pet pal could be at a considerable risk of heatstroke. A common problem for dogs in summer, heatstroke can be avoided by simply keeping a cool environment.

Don't leave your pet in placed where it can get extremely hot, including parked cars or poorly ventilated spaces. You may think leaving your dog without AC or cooling for a few minutes is okay but it could turn out to be a disastrous experience for your dog.

Check your dog's body temperature constantly during summer. If it exceeds 104°F (40°C), an ongoing heatstroke may be in progress.

Head trauma, especially those caused by a blunt object, might not leave a scar on the outer part of a dog’s head. Even when there is no visible wound, a head injury can be identified if you know how to identify the symptoms.

Your perfectly healthy will appear weak and may sleep more than usual. Seizures triggered by head trauma might take weeks or even months after the initial injury to develop. This delayed onset is often due to the gradual accumulation of scar tissue or chronic inflammation affecting brain function.

Hypothyroidism isn’t just linked to seizures in canines, it is also responsible for other serious medical conditions like infertility and heart problems. Identified as insufficient thyroid hormone production, modified brain digestion, and decreased neuronal sensitivity are some of the few dangers of this condition.

With appropriate treatment, the seizure frequency can be significantly dropped but the condition can’t be fully cured.

Overdose or adverse reactions to any medications can cause single episodes of seizures.

When the dog is medicated, it might lose coordination between muscles and the nervous system, entering a seizure-like state.
Epilepsy medications, along with those used to treat pain or anxiety, are more likely to cause seizures. Meanwhile, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines can also develop involuntary twitching movements.

While all parasitic infections can turn deadly, the ones affecting the nervous system or lungs are mostly to blame for seizures. These infections damage the vital parts so badly that the dogs start to bleed internally.

If the internal hemorrhaging affects the brain, the normal progression is a seizure. But, bleeding near eyes can turn your pet blind, while also causing seizures.

Imbalances of essential diet and nutrition can affect the normal working of a dog’s neuronal health. The lack of these nutrients is a grievous circumstance, frequently ending in seizures.

Thiamine, or vitamin B1, is a particularly important nutrient, without which the body is unable to metabolize effectively. Dogs that are mostly fed a sweet potato diet are the most vulnerable to seizures as the canines are unable to burn food into energy.