Epilepsy in Animals

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Epilepsy can occur in animals apart from human being. It is characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. Like humans, Epilepsy in animals is really just abnormal electrical activity inside the brain.Canine epilepsy is often genetic. Epilepsy in cats and other animals is rarer, because there is no hereditary factor towards epilepsy in these animals. Epileptic seizure is not a disease but a clinical sign which generally is an indicative of forebrain disorder.

Epilepsy is the name given to seizure disorders for which no cause can be found. It is not a unique disease in and of itself. In dogs epilepsy is a common diagnosis but in feline complete diagnosis is needed.

Causes of Epilepsy in Animals

In dogs, epilepsy is often an inherited condition. These partial seizures may be shown by either bizarre behavior or a complete lack of movement, accompanied by facial tics or excessive salivation. Generally there is no specific reason or cause of epilepsy.

In dogs, generalised seizures (with impaired consciousness and bilateral motor activity) are the most common type. Cats relatively commonly exhibit focal seizures, which may be motor or psychomotor events.

Treatment of Epilepsy in Animals

According to recent research treating epilepsy prone animals with anticonvulsant drug prior to the development of chronic epilepsy can significantly reduce the number of seizures the animals experience even after the treatment stops. By using gene therapy to modify signaling pathways in the brain there could be reduction in the development of epileptic seizures in animals.

Signs and Symptoms of Epilepsy in Animals

• Loss of consciousness
• Initial rigidity followed by tonic/clonic activity
• Autonomic dysfunction such as salivation
• Vocalisation

Care for Epilepsy in Animals

Epilepsy is not uncommon and can strike without any warning. Just make sure you are able to afford the care and treatment your pet needs from the vet. If you are going in excess and the trips are getting frequent you need pet insurance which offers a good option for saving.