Our pets can also suffer fits resembling human epileptic seizures. While the notions of epilepsy and of grand mal or petit mal remain reserved for describing the human condition, we do meet convulsive seizures of the same type in dogs, cats and ferrets.
Dogs
Two main forms are distinguished: a generalised form and a partial form.
– The first is the more common and often appears at a young age (from around 6 months old). Its cause frequently remains unknown, in which case the seizure is called idiopathic. Certain breeds and bloodlines of dogs are predisposed, the Labrador among them. Sometimes a metabolic origin can be found, for example congenital conditions such as a portosystemic shunt. These seizures come with loss of consciousness, collapse of the body, convulsions, foaming at the mouth, and loss of urine or even faeces. A dog may behave differently before the seizure, which could suggest it senses a kind of aura. After the seizure, the dog recovers all its faculties. Seizures of this type are not put on medication as long as they occur no more than once or twice a month; if, however, the seizures become more frequent, last longer or come closer together, the dog will be given treatment, often for life. It is invaluable to gather every piece of information surrounding the seizures, which is why you are advised to keep a careful notebook record of everything relating to the hours before each one. Some dogs live for years with these seizures without any effect on their general health.
– The partial form sometimes strikes abruptly, and shows itself in only one part of the body: the head alone may tremble, for example. This kind of seizure is often linked to a problem of metabolic origin (low blood sugar, liver disease, a tumour, etc.). Further tests are carried out to try to find a cause.
– Be aware that telling the two forms apart, and metabolic from idiopathic causes, is not always simple!
– Seizures are not in themselves fatal; status epilepticus, on the other hand — seizures following one another with no recovery phase in between — is an emergency, as it can be lethal.
Cats
Cats more often present convulsive seizures that appear suddenly and carry a more guarded prognosis. Metabolic causes are common and often easier to identify. These causes, however, belong to groups of diseases whose own outlook is guarded. Attempts to control the seizures with treatment often fail in cats, and the onset of convulsive seizures in a cat should generally be regarded as a worrying sign.
Ferrets
Neurological causes are rarer here: the main cause of epileptic-type seizures is low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) resulting from a tumour of the pancreas known as an insulinoma. Certain viral diseases can also be responsible, such as distemper — or, thankfully rarer, rabies or even Aleutian disease.
As a general rule, during a seizure of this kind: avoid putting your fingers in the animal’s mouth (risk of being bitten), calm it by speaking to it softly, switch off the lights and the sound of the TV or radio, avoid noise, make sure the animal is safe (risk of falling), and if you already have suppositories prescribed for this purpose, insert one gently.