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Convulsions in Pets.

A convulsion is the violent irregular motion of limbs or body caused by involuntary
contraction of muscles. Common signs are loss of consciousness, incontinence and
vocalisation. Other terms that may be used are seizures or fits, with "epilepsy" confined to disorders characterised by repeated fits of unknown origin.

Common causes include:

1. Infections e.g. distemper and tetanus.
2. Poisoning e.g. metaldehyde (slug bait) and ethylene-glycol (anti-freeze).
3. Head injury e.g. following a road accident.
4. Metabolic disease e.g. low circulating levels of blood calcium in, for example, eclampsia (milk fever).
5. Pressure on the brain e.g. cancer and blood clots.

However, the commonest type of convulsion, known as idiopathic epilepsy is of unknown cause.

Should your pet have a fit, DON'T PANIC! It is usual for a fit to last several seconds only. Approach the animal with care. Roll him/her onto a blanket away from furniture and drag clear from harm e.g. an open fire. Do not handle your pet. It is important to remove all stimuli e.g. dim the lights, switch off the radio and keep quiet. Observe the patient well as your observations can be of great assistance and help your vet to make a diagnosis. It is usual for the convulsions to settle after 1 to 3 minutes and recovery is usually complete within minutes to hours. During this time there is little that you, the owner, can do to help.
Telephone your vet at a suitable time for an appointment to have your pet examined should this be necessary.

Your vet will try to find an identifiable cause of the convulsions so that specific treatment can be given. However, as previously mentioned most cases do not have an identifiable cause and anti-convulsant therapy may be instituted. This may not happen straight away and will be started at the discretion of your vet.

The following are important points to note in the treatment of epilepsy:

1. Your vet's instructions on the frequency of treatment must be followed exactly. Missing a treatment may cause a fit in a controlled case.
2. Medication may have to be given for the rest of your pet's life.
3. If a fit occurs ask your vet's advice.
4. Some medication must be given over several days before it becomes effective.
5. Record the date and duration and severity of all fits since the pattern of altered behaviour is very helpful during veterinary assessment.

In conclusion it must be understood that medication for epilepsy is not given in order to cure, but rather to control the disease and your pet may still continue to have fits on a regular basis. It is hoped that medication will reduce the number and severity of future fits.

The first fit is always the most unnerving for the owner and once an understanding of the medical situation is gained, the pet’s health can be maintained very satisfactorily in most cases.