Idiopathic epilepsy, including epilepsy of unknown origin in Dogs

Category: Nervous System & Behavioral
Breeds documented: 47
Published sources: 17

Overview

Seizures that recur without an identifiable underlying cause may be described as idiopathic epilepsy. These episodes result from excessive activity among brain cells and can involve the whole body or a smaller area. Inherited factors are known or suspected in some dogs. The gaps between seizures vary widely, and many affected dogs need ongoing care once treatment starts.

Signs to watch for

Loss of consciousness during convulsions
Stiffening followed by paddling leg movements
Uncontrolled twitching in one area of the body
Heavy drooling during an episode
Unexpected urination or passing stool during a seizure
Confusion and tiredness after the episode

The first seizures usually occur between six months and six years of age.

When to get help Contact a vet promptly after a seizure; go to an emergency vet immediately for a seizure lasting more than five minutes or two or more seizures within 24 hours.

Diagnosis and tests

Vets diagnose idiopathic epilepsy by investigating other possible causes of seizures. Blood and urine tests assess general health. An MRI scan and testing of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord may help exclude inflammation, tumors and other disease.

Breeds with documented risk

47 breeds

By breed size

2 Toy
7 Small
24 Medium
10 Large
4 Giant

All 47 breeds, A to Z

Australian Shepherd Source vetmed.illinois.edu

Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound Source bmhs.org.uk
Beagle Source vet.cornell.edu
Belgian Laekenois
Belgian Malinois
Belgian Sheepdog Source link.springer.com
Belgian Tervuren Source link.springer.com
Bernese Mountain Dog Source vet.cornell.edu
Border Aussie
Border Collie Source vet.cornell.edu
Border Terrier Source pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Boxer Source vet.cornell.edu

Collie Source assets.ctfassets.net

Dachshund Source vetmed.illinois.edu
Dalmatian Source assets.ctfassets.net
Drentsche Patrijshond Source frontiersin.org

English Springer Spaniel Source vetmed.illinois.edu

Finnish Spitz Source vetmed.illinois.edu

German Shepherd Source pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
German Spitz Source vetmed.illinois.edu
Golden Retriever Source vet.cornell.edu
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Source vetmed.illinois.edu

Irish Doodle Source petmd.com
Irish Setter Source assets.ctfassets.net
Irish Wolfhound Source vetmed.illinois.edu

Keeshond Source vetmed.illinois.edu

Labrador Retriever Source pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Miniature Poodle Source vetmed.illinois.edu
Miniature Schnauzer Source assets.ctfassets.net
Mudi Source jalostus.kennelliitto.fi

Norwegian Buhund Source buhund.no
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Source assets.ctfassets.net

Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Source onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Pomeranian Source vetmed.illinois.edu

Saint Bernard Source assets.ctfassets.net
Shepadoodle Source petmd.com
Shetland Sheepdog Source vetmed.illinois.edu
Siberian Husky Source assets.ctfassets.net
Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer Source slovakianroughhairedpointerclub.org.uk
Spinone Italiano Source onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Stabyhoun Source frontiersin.org
Standard Poodle Source vetmed.illinois.edu
Standard Schnauzer Source akcchf.org

Toy Poodle Source vetmed.illinois.edu

Vizsla Source vetmed.illinois.edu

Wetterhoun Source frontiersin.org
Whoodle Source petmd.com

Inheritance

Not yet known
None of the sources we use states how this is inherited in dogs yet.

We've gathered what published sources say about this condition, so you can talk it through with your vet. It isn't veterinary advice: you and your vet know your dog best.