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Epilepsy · Epilepsy signs & symptoms · Epilepsy diagnosis · Epilepsy t reatment · Epilepsy related articles
Diagnosing the existence of seizures is easier than diagnosing the cause. The presence of seizures is clear if the pet has convulsions, and the presence of seizures is suspected if the pet has significant “spaced out” periods—with or without unusual behavior such as fly snapping. Of course veterinarians confirm that the “spaced out” periods are not caused by brain hypoxia (low levels of oxygen) from respiratory or heart disease.
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Diagnosing the cause of seizures can be difficult because:
- So many expensive tests can be necessary to determine the cause that pet guardians cannot afford to have them done.
- We do not know enough about the brain to identify the cause of some seizures—so we say the disease is primary or idiopathic and assume it has a genetic cause.
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Here are some tests used to diagnose seizures:
- Neurologic exam that tests each of the 12 cranial nerves,
- Electroencephalogram or EEG for brain wave irregularity,
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and CAT scans for brain tumors, hemorrhage, or malformations,
- Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) analysis for infections, parasites, white blood cells (granulocytes), and toxins,
- Routine blood tests to measure red blood cells, white blood cells, electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium), liver function, kidney function, and thyroid levels,
- Blood sent for identification of heavy metals and infectious agents,
- Stomach contents sent for identification of heavy metals or poisonous plants,
- X-rays to identify swallowed metal objects such as pennies,
- Urine tests for ketones, crystals, specific gravity, and sugar,
- Blood pressure for kidney disease, heart failure, or intracranial tumor, and
- EKG for cardiac disease that could cause lack of blood flow to the brain.
Seizure diary
In addition to all the laboratory tests, pet guardians are asked to keep a diary that tracks the phase of the moon, physical illnesses, activity, sleep depravation, stressful events, heat cycle, and medication dosages. If a seizure occurs, they describe what happened before, during, and after the event and how long it lasted. A well-kept diary helps identify triggering events so that medications can be increased prior to these events.
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Diagnosing unusual behavior that is not seizure activity: feline hyperesthesia syndrome
Cats can develop a hyperesthesia (hyper = extremely and aesthesia = sensation) syndrome when an area along the back becomes so sensitive it is painful. This is also called “twitchy cat syndrome” and “neurodermatitis.” The muscles along the cat’s back twitch or ripple, and cats vocalize as though in pain. Some cats lick imaginary skin, bite and harm themselves or become aggressive toward others. These behaviors may appear so similar to psychomotor or petit mal seizures that it is difficult to tell whether the problem is seizures or not. Some veterinarians believe these are truly behavior problems; others believe they are neurologic; still others believe this behavior is caused by flea bite sensitivity.
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The articles here were answered by a variety of pharmacists and veterinarians
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Of Grand Mal Siezures
Aura or period with anxiety, hiding, or attention seeking
Convulsions with paddling, drooling, urinating, defecating
Recovery period with disorientation, aggression, hunger, confusion
Of Petit Mal Seizures
Dazed
Disoriented
Drooling
Imaginary gum chewing, tail chasing, or flank sucking
Vocalizing
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If seizures are not treated, they become more severe and more frequent
Potassium bromide is less effective when pets eat more salt than usual
A healthy liver helps decrease the frequency of seizures
Most seizures in dogs occur when they’re resting or sleeping
Seizures in cats are often missed
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Australian Shepherd
Beagle
Belgian Sheepdog
Belgian Tervuren
Bernese Mountain Dog
Border Collie
Bull Terrier
Chihuahua
Cocker Spaniel
Collie
Dachshund
Eng. Springer Spaniel
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
Irish Setter
Keeshond
Labrador Retriever
Poodle
Saint Bernard
Shetland Sheepdog
Siberian Husky
Vizsla
Yorkshire Terrier |
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Primidone
Phenobarbital (PB)
Potassium bromide (KBr)
Diazepam
Clorazepate
Felbatol (Felbamate)
Gabapentin
Keppra (Levetiracetam)
Zonisamide
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