Epilepsy—A Storm of Lightning in the Brain
Without any warning, like a bolt from the blue, the first seizure strikes. The animal, which had appeared healthy up to that moment, suddenly exhibits completely unexpected symptoms. It collapses, convulses, foams at the mouth, may lose urine and/or feces, and screams. After a few seconds—which, in the pet owner’s understandable panic, feel like hours—it’s all over. But only for a short while, because further seizures usually follow at unpredictable intervals. Has your pet, who is a full-fledged member of the family, perhaps become epileptic because of these seizures? What lies ahead for you and your pet?
What exactly is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic disorders of the central nervous system. There are certainly countless websites where this disease is described. In this blog post, we’d like to explain epilepsy as clearly as possible: Epilepsy is an electrical discharge that, like a lightning storm, affects individual parts of the brain or the brain as a whole. Imagine the brain as a tightly compressed bundle crisscrossed by many thin, poorly insulated electrical cables. Under certain circumstances, misfires accompanied by sparks can occur within such a bundle. In a healthy brain, these isolated short circuits are not a problem. In a person with epilepsy, however, under certain conditions, a single spark can set off a full-blown fireworks display that can affect individual parts of the brain.
Depending on whether individual or entire brain regions are affected, the seizures are referred to as focal or generalized. Most seizures in cats and dogs are generalized. In this type of seizure, the animal loses the ability to stand, usually lies on its side, and its legs tremble or thrash uncontrollably; trembling and foaming at the mouth may also occur. Sounds such as screams, moans, or gasping may be heard.
Seizures are divided into two stages: First is the prodromal stage, during which the animals exhibit behavioral changes, such as restlessness, fear, or aggression. This is followed by the so-called aura, characterized by dilated pupils, vomiting, and movement disorders; however, these last only a few seconds before the actual seizure, called the ictus, begins. This typically lasts from a few seconds up to 5 minutes. Finally, the cycle comes full circle with the postictal phase, which is characterized by neurological deficits; this can last from a few minutes to several days.
If two or more seizures occur within 24 hours, we refer to this as a cluster. This is a good reason to seek veterinary advice. If the seizures last longer than 5 minutes, or if the animal is unable to regain consciousness between seizures, this indicates an acute, life-threatening condition.
The causes of epilepsy can include: neurotoxins (such as spot-on treatments for parasites), hypoglycemia, vaccinations, liver disease, or synthetic additives in food.
How should I feed my pet with epilepsy?
We recommend feeding a starch-free diet. Highly digestible, high-quality proteins are recommended. It is important to supplement with B vitamins, vitamin E, and zinc. As a preventive measure, cannabidiol can be administered directly into the animal’s mouth over an extended period. High-dose EPA/DHA (omega-3 fatty acids) has also proven effective.
Our conclusion: As frightening as the disease and the diagnosis of epilepsy may be, it does not mean the end. With expert treatment, many animals can achieve a significant reduction in seizure frequency or even become completely seizure-free. Of course, the diagnosis brings about a change in living conditions for both the pet and the owner; one should be attentive to behavioral changes and ensure the correct treatment. Caring for an animal with epilepsy is certainly not easy. However, it is entirely possible, as evidenced by the many animals that have been successfully treated!
