Tonic-clonic seizure – a seizure where the tonic phase is followed by shorter, clonic (jerking) movements stiffening) lasting up to several minutes Tonic seizure– a sustained increase in muscle tone (i.e. Status epilepticus – a serious condition where seizures follow closely on one another without a break, or where a single seizure lasts more than 5 minutes Refractory epilepsy – seizures that occur even during treatment with therapeutic doses of antiepileptic medication, i.e. Postictal period – the time immediately following a seizure, where behavioral changes may be observed Myoclonic seizure – sudden, brief contractions of a muscle or group of muscles Interictal period – the time between seizures Idiopathic epilepsy – epilepsy without an identifiable structural cause, typically assumed to be genetic. Generalized seizure – seizures originating from both hemispheres of the brain A focal seizure can spread to both sides of the brain and become generalized.Īutomatisms – repetitive motor activity that resembles movement under voluntary control, such as lip smacking, licking or chewingĪtonic seizure – a sudden loss of muscle tone lasting several seconds or more, not following a tonic or myoclonic eventĬluster seizures – a group of seizures within a shorter than normal interval clinically defined as 2 or more seizures within a 24-hour periodįocal seizure – seizures originating from only part of the brain and therefore also only affecting part of the body Awareness may or may not be impaired during focal seizures. Focal seizures can present with abnormal motor activity (facial twitches, chewing movements, paddling of a limb), behavioral signs (fear, attention seeking), and/or changes in autonomic functions (pupil dilation, salivation, vomiting). Focal seizures originate in a discrete area of the brain, and are characterized by signs that affect a single side or specific part of the body. During a generalized seizure, an individual’s awareness of the environment is typically impaired, and salivation, urination and/or defecation can occur. Most generalized seizures manifest as bilateral involuntary muscle movements or sudden losses or increases in muscle tone. Generalized seizures involve both sides of the brain at the onset, and are characterized by clinical signs apparent on both sides of the body. There are two basic types of seizures, generalized and focal. Seizure description is the most critical information needed for the diagnosis of canine epilepsies. Using this system, a seizure is primarily classified according to where it begins in the brain, with specific features of the seizure used to further characterize the event. Recently, the International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force proposed a classification scheme for veterinary seizures, which is similar but not identical to the current human classification system 1. For example, while dog owners may notice a specific behavior that typically precedes a seizure and is indicative of a behavioral change, there is no direct way to determine the presence of a pre-seizure event as sometimes diagnosed in humans. This is particularly true of those classification elements which require subjective reporting of symptoms. Human classifications are not always clearly applicable to canines, and there is often confusion about the meaning of specific terminology in the veterinary setting. While human systems are sometimes used to describe canine seizures, this can be problematic. Determination of an appropriate treatment regimen for canine epilepsy depends on an accurate diagnosis of the type and cause of seizures, only after which appropriate therapeutic options can be identified.ĭiagnosing and Classifying Canine SeizuresĪlthough classification systems exist for human seizures, there is not yet a widely accepted classification system available for seizures in dogs 1. The condition can be inherited (genetic or idiopathic epilepsy), caused by structural problems in the brain (structural epilepsy), or stem from an unknown cause (epilepsy of unknown cause) 1. The term epilepsy refers to a heterogeneous disease that is characterized by the presence of recurrent, unprovoked seizures resulting from an abnormality of the brain. Download this article as a PDF document with a Seizure DiaryĮpilepsy is the most common neurological disorder seen in dogs, and has been estimated to affect approximately 0.75% of the canine population 3.
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