See also our Quick-Search Epilepsy Info page.
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a seizure disorder featuring multiple seizures over time. If no underlying cause can be found for the seizures the disease is called idiopathic or primary epilepsy. Primary epilepsy is not a single disease, but several similar ones. Research thus far indicates that no single gene or set of genes causes the disease in every breed.
How do I know if my dog has epilepsy?
Epilepsy rarely arises in Aussies under a year of age. Onset after seven years is also very unusual. Any dog that suffers a major seizure should be taken to a veterinarian for evaluation and testing. Seizures can be caused by many things–injury, a variety of diseases, toxic exposure, as well as heredity. The vet must first rule-out other possible causes before she can come to a diagnosis of primary epilepsy. Any of a variety of tests may be done, depending on the dog’s health history. When all other likely causes of the seizures are ruled out and the seizures continue to occur at intervals, the diagnosis is epilepsy.
Are all seizures epilepsy?
No. Seizures may happen for many reasons. High fever, serious brain injury, some toxic substances, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), heat stroke, brain tumors, liver or kidney disease, toxins that affect the nervous system, and a variety of diseases that interfere with brain function. In Aussies causes of seizures may include hypoglycemia, hereditary cobalamin malabsorbtion or neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis in dogs under a year. In older dogs injury or environmental causes, brain tumors, or thyroid disease may cause seizures.
Not every seizure is the same, depending on the cause. A video of your dog having a seizure may help the vet diagnose and treat it properly. Seizures due to something environmental usually cease once the dog is no longer exposed. Treatment of diseases that cause secondary seizures may reduce or eliminate the seizure activity depending on the disease. Seizures due to brain injury may or may not go away depending on the severity of the damage but this is rare.
If my dog is having seizures, how do I know he didn’t hit his head when I didn’t see?
If you dog had a head injury severe enough to cause ongoing seizures it is highly unlikely you would be unaware it was hurt even if you didn’t see the incident because there will almost certainly be external damage as well.
What does having epilepsy mean for my dog?
Primary epilepsy cannot be cured and will not go away. The dog will seize if untreated. Seizures may occur periodically for the life of the dog even with treatment. They often get worse if not controlled by medication. The drugs themselves may have serious side effects and in some cases they become ineffective. Epilepsy can kill.
How common is epilepsy in Aussies?
Approximately 4% of Aussies have epilepsy.
Is epilepsy inherited?
Yes. The mode of inheritance for epilepsy is complex.
Is there a DNA test for epilepsy in Aussies?
Not at this time.
What does epilepsy mean for my breeding program?
This is a serious, incurable, sometimes difficult to treat disease. It sometimes is fatal. Affected individuals should not be bred. Because of the severe quality of life impacts of this disease, its frequency in the breed, and the long-term emotional and financial burden which care for an epileptic dog can place on owners, first-step relatives (parents, offspring, and full or half siblings) of an epileptic dog should not be bred. Other near relatives might be bred but only to mates without any recent family history of epilepsy. Recent, in this case, means within three steps of relationship in any direction.