Canine seizures can be a scary occurrence for the pet and the owner alike. Seizures generally present themselves as a sudden series of abrupt convulsions, twitches or spasms caused by impulses from the brain. They are usually caused by some type of disease or condition, and are especially common in older dogs. To learn more about canine seizures in older dogs, read on.
What Does a Seizure Look Like?
When your dog experiences a seizure, he will likely begin to have sudden and unexpected spasms and twitches. Sometimes these spasms are so mild that they are practically unnoticeable. Other times, they are severe enough to cause violent and forceful movements. Other signs of a canine seizure include the following:
- Running in place, or moving limbs
- Strange jaw movements
- Dilated and unresponsive pupils in both eyes
- Drooling or salivating
- Urinating or defecating on oneself
What Causes Seizures in Older Dogs?
The most common cause of seizures in older dogs is a chronic disease. Epilepsy is among the most common of these diseases. Epilepsy is a disease that causes recurring and frequent seizures in dogs, and is caused by a chemical imbalance of neurotransmitters in the body. A dog who suffers from epilepsy will have recurring periods of uncoordinated firing of neurons in the brain, causing frequent seizures.
- Head trauma
- diseases of the organs
- heart disease
- congenital defects
- diabetes mellitus
- hypoglycemia
- anemia
- low oxygen levels
- kidney disease
- liver conditions
- canine distemper
- tumors in the brain
- hyperthermia
- fever
- brain damage
- medications
- vitamin deficiency
- low calcium levels.