Seizures in animals are a neurological problem that is mostly caused by epilepsy or a brain tumor. Feline epilepsy is the most common cause of seizures in cats. The cat can get confused or bewildered due to the seizures but occurrence of such convulsions does not cause any pain despite the dramatic signs that are displayed. However, if a seizure continues for more than a few minutes, it can lead to hyperthermia (abnormally high body temperature) and trigger another set of problems.

Cats are more susceptible to Complex Partial Seizures (CPS) than generalized convulsions. Complex Partial Seizures are epileptic attacks that involve greater damage to awareness and consciousness than simple convulsions.

During the period immediately preceding a seizure, the cat is likely to appear nervous, hide or look for the owner. This normally lasts for a few seconds. During the actual seizure that may last from a couple of seconds to about five minutes, all the muscles in the cats body contract. It is likely that the cat will fall by his side with the head drawn backwards and appear as if a paralytic attack has occurred. Involuntary urination and defecation is common during seizures. If a feline seizure does not get over within five minutes, it is indicative of prolonged epilepsy that is characterized by continuing attacks without intervals of consciousness. This can lead to brain damage and ultimately death.

Cats continue to behave abnormally even after the seizure is over. During the post seizure period there may be confusion, disorientation, salivation, restlessness or temporary loss of vision. However, the severity of the seizure and the duration of post seizure symptoms are not related to each other.

If the cat is at ground level there is little chance of the cat hurting himself. Cats, however, like to perch themselves on higher platforms. If you perceive a pre seizure stage, it is important that the cat is prevented from falling down and hurting himself.

In most cases, there is an underlying cause behind feline seizures. Proper diagnosis is expensive and may take some time before any medicine can be prescribed. When you present a cat that has suffered a seizure to a veterinarian, a battery of tests along with a physical and neurological examination is likely to ensue. The laboratory tests may include one or all of the following to help in understanding whether the episode was actually a seizure and to establish a cause, if one exists.

-        Complete blood count

-        Serum chemistry profile

-        Urinalysis

-        Bile tests

-        Thyroid function tests

The veterinarian may also ask you to keep a record of future seizure, if any, and note the severity, timing, length and recovery of each seizure along with any changes that may have occurred in the cat’s diet or environment. Despite this, feline seizures continue to baffle most veterinarians. Many episodes of seizures are due to epilepsy and anticonvulsant drugs provide only symptomatic treatment without addressing the underlying cause.

By Tess Thompson

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References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epilepsy_in_animals

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/seizures.html

http://www.thedogbowl.com/PPF/category_ID/0_135/dogbowl.asp

http://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-treat-a-cats-convulsions-seizure.htm

What triggers canine is not exactly known but the general observation is that seizures usually happen when animals are excited. This excitement may increase during play or a cue that signifies that play is about to begin. It is also not uncommon for dogs to have seizures during sleep; however, this should not be confused with barking and shaking while sleep. A dog may bark or shake in his sleep if he is dreaming. But if the dog is having a real seizure, he is not likely to be awakened.

Seizures are classified according to their severity and duration as mild, moderate, clustered and severe.

Mild or Petit Mal

• Momentary seizure with symptoms limited to blank stares or upward eye movements.

Moderate or Grand Mal

• This is characterized by the dog falling down, loss of consciousness and rigidity in the legs. Grand mal normally lasts for one to three minutes, followed by a period of restlessness, running around and bumping into objects.

Status Epilepticus

• The severest type of seizure that lasts for ten minutes or more at a time or as a series of continuous seizures in a short time without regaining consciousness.

Cluster Seizures

• Multiple seizures within a day, as serious as and difficult to distinguish from status epilepticus

Seizures are unpredictable and can occur at any time. Status epilepticus and cluster seizure can prove to be fatal. Normally the pre-seizure period, known as aura, lasts only for a few seconds and is not easily noticeable. The dog may appear restless or be excessively affectionate, whine, wander or hide or snap at the air during the pre-seizure period.

The actual seizure is known as ictus, a sudden occurrence, or recurrence of a disease. This period may last a couple of seconds to several minutes. Depending on the severity of the attack, the dog experiences involuntary urination or defecation, loss of control of the limbs, convulsions. In such a state the dog may paddle as if he is swimming, at times. The post seizure period is marked by confusion, loss of bladder control, distress and disorientation.

Seeing your dog in a seizure can be a harrowing experience for owners, especially if it is the first time. Although the dog himself does not feel any pain, he is in an agonizing state wherein he has no control over his movements. Even when conscious he is not likely to be aware of what his going around him.

It is advisable to keep a distance from the dog and approach him only from behind to gently pat his back. Do not panic and make sure to note the details of the various symptoms that appear during the seizure. This will be of great help to the veterinarian and will aid him in arriving at the type of seizure that has occurred.

Apart from canine epilepsy, any physiological disease that disturbs the neurological impulses from the brain can also cause seizures. All types of seizures, even those you are not very sure of should be reported to a veterinarian. Left untreated, there is a great likelihood of the condition aggravating and resulting in recurrent and cluster seizures.

By Tess Thompson

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References:

http://ak.essortment.com/seizuresdogsca_rfmm.htm

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061120172125AA4VBUx

http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/seizures_overview.htm

http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/Why.html

http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/underlying.html

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1828&articleid=433

Posted in Dog Seizures, Dogs and Puppies Tagged: Dog Seizures ]]> http://bethvetnurse.wordpress.com/2009/10/31/types-of-dog-seizures/feed/ 0 bethvetnurse Bookmark and Share http://bethvetnurse.wordpress.com/2009/10/25/does-your-pet-fear-the-firework-season/ http://bethvetnurse.wordpress.com/2009/10/25/does-your-pet-fear-the-firework-season/#comments Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:42:31 +0000 bethvetnurse http://bethvetnurse.wordpress.com/?p=73 ]]> Have you noticed that we don’t just have one firework night anymore….we have a firework season! As well as the organised professional displays that we love, you can buy fireworks from the local supermarkets, so many people have their own displays at home and we now see and hear many fireworks at very unpredictable times and unpredictable places which seem to run up to Christmas and New Year.

Unfortunately many pets today are frightened of many different loud noises, such as thunder & traffic. We call this noise phobia.

Halloween and the  firework season is upon us so no doubt you will want to keep your pets indoors away from the bangs and flashes. But if this is not enough to keep your pet happy, consider a natural calming remedy.

Reishi Mushroom is a tonic, sedative herb that relieves pain, improves heart and liver function and stimulates the immune system. Chamomile is frequently recommended by homeopaths for its calming and soothing properties. Both these ingredients are found in this herbal remedy. This one for your anxious dog and this one for stressful cats.

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Wild dogs use biting as a tool to assert their dominance over other dogs within the pack. Even within a litter of puppies around the mother, it is common to see some pups trying to assert dominance and biting each other. Dogs tend to bite without provocation only when they start assuming the family as the pack and see a situation where they feel that can dominate and become the ‘alpha’ dog.

While any type of aggressive dog behavior is difficult to tolerate, dog biting assumes more significance in the light of the problems that are associated with it. In many cases, dog biting arises out of fear or when a dog finds him in an inescapable situation. If this behavior is not corrected in its early stages, dog aggression may assume unmanageable proportions.

Young puppies that are less than six weeks old seldom bite hard and are not able to break skin. However, these are the initial signs of an aggressive dog and should not be ignored as playful behavior. In fact, having moved to a new environment, the puppy is trying to assess his status in the new ‘pack’ to understand to what extent he can dominate the family.

Under no circumstances should puppies be allowed to bite playfully at human skin. Puppies that are young may also feel compelled to bite due to teething. Their mouths need stimulation, which is provided by biting. In such cases, provide chew sticks and bones for the puppy to chew on.

If your puppy has not spent enough time with the litter, he probably has not learned not to bite playfully. The natural way to check this habit is to yelp just as another puppy would in case he is bitten and withdraw from play. If this does not work try the following after every time he bites:

* Isolate in a crate for a couple of minutes.
* Hit gently on the nose.
* Spray some water lightly.

The puppy should also be trained to socialize. The more he gets used to strangers, in the house as well as outside, the better it is. Initially, put the puppy on leash when some one comes to deliver something or meet you. Let him sniff and get acquainted with the stranger. Also let your puppy interact with children as much as possible. Puppies brought up among only adults tend to snap and bite children.

Healthy and matured dogs do not normally bite humans but the potential exists. If your dog is prone to biting humans or neighboring animals, the best course of action is to first get him checked for any underlying disease. Consulting a veterinarian is the right way to rule that out medicals conditions that are causing discomfort.

If medical conditions have been ruled out, then dog biting may require some re-training. Dog aggression usually arises from dominance and territorial related aggression or out of fear. Try telling all strangers coming to your house to keep away from the dog house and his bed.

If you observe that it is fear that makes your dog bite, try to identify the fear factors and take corrective measures by insulating him from them.

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But it is not uncommon to hear about cats losing their homes due to aggressive behaviors like biting. Physical distress and fear are factors that can drive cats to indulge in biting in a manner that it provokes aggressive dog behavior .

However, it is only when aggression is encouraged or ignored that a cat tends to behave aggressively. A delivery man, who hides or runs away on seeing a household cat that shows aggressive body language, is sure to instill enough confidence even in an otherwise docile cat. He will remember it and every time a delivery man comes knocking he is liable to face an increasingly aggressive cat every time.

Cats are actually very predictable animals and seldom do anything without a reason. Cats that bite or indulge in excessive scratching often develop the habit due to human negligence. Playful biting and scratching are integral parts of cat behavior. This behavior can commonly be observed in a litter where the winner takes it all.

They also tend to indulge in aggressive play with a toy mouse or a human who happens to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. When you do not teach a cat that human hands are not toys, they are bound to bite or scratch them whenever they feel like playing.

One of the major reasons behind cat biting is the inability of humans to understand body language in cats. Normally cats love petting and would allow you to do it for hours. But some cats can get over stimulated by petting and usually signal that they want you to quit. Such a signal may be in the shape of narrowed eyes with ears pulled back and ultimately, tail lashing. If you ignore these signals, you are most likely to be bitten by the cat. Watch out for such signals well in time and stop petting.

Indoor cats are liable to vent their frustration at whosoever is nearby on seeing a potential prey outside. If it is another cat that he sees outside he may be afraid. In either case you should allay his fears by playing with him and giving extra treats to redirect his attention.

Sometimes a medical cause may disturb a cat and lead to biting. Make sure to pay attention to any wounds or lacerations or cracks in the skin that you see. Parasites like mites or fleas can cause extreme distress and cause abnormal behaviors in cats, including scratching and biting. A docile cat may become aggressive if her hormonal balance is disturbed due to any underlying disease. The veterinarian is the right person to consult in such cases.

Kittens and young cats are used to rough play with each other. During the process they get used to the protective fur of other cats and do not realize that human skin is delicate and easily damaged. While dog biting is normally reported, cat biting is somewhat a domestic concern, but a concern nonetheless.

Handing cat biting mostly involves getting familiar with the cat, avoiding rough play and understanding his body language.

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