Focal or Partial Seizures in Dogs Focal seizures in dogs (sometimes called partial seizures) only affect one half of the brain, and within a particular region of that half. These seizures are described as either simple or complex, depending on your dog's level of awareness while the seizure is occurring.
Focal seizures can present with abnormal motor activity (facial twitches, chewing movements, paddling of a limb), behavioral signs (fear, attention seeking), and/or changes in autonomic functions (pupil dilation, salivation, vomiting). Awareness may or may not be impaired during focal seizures.
Approximately 40-60 percent of dogs with epilepsy have one or more episodes of cluster seizures or status epilepsy, and a mean lifespan of only 8 years, compared to 11 years for those with epilepsy without episodes status epilepsy.
What is the prognosis for focal seizures? If focal seizures are infrequent, they can often be left untreated. Frequent focal seizures, however, can negatively impact a dog's quality of life and require treatment. With treatment, many dogs experience a reduction in the frequency or severity of their focal seizures.
A focal seizure might just be repeated twitching of an eyelid, lip or ear. There is not necessarily a loss of consciousness. These types of seizures usually don't require treatment. However, a focal seizure can segue into a generalized seizure, so be sure to keep a close watch on your dog until it passes.
Simple (focal motor) seizures result from firing of neurons in the motor area of a cerebral hemisphere and usually manifest as involuntary limb jerking or repetitive facial muscle movements. Consciousness may or may not be impaired.
Dog Seizure Triggers
Seizures are, for example, often triggered by: Stress. Anxiety. Diet (where a specific type of food or a change of diet may, for instance, trigger an episode)
However, focal seizures and epilepsy are often treatable. In many cases, children with focal epilepsy will outgrow the condition and remain seizure-free for the rest of their lives.
Although scientists and clinicians have long known that prolonged seizures, a condition referred to as "status epilepticus," kill brain cells, surprisingly little scientific evidence exists to support the notion that individual seizures do damage.
In most cases, seizures are short and last only a few minutes. With proper treatment, your dog can lead a normal life. That being said, seizures can be a serious health concern and even short seizures could cause brain damage.
Focal seizures can get worse if they are not treated, allowing for more serious symptoms to develop.
Some dogs will have 2, 3, or even numerous seizures within a 24-hour period. Status epilepticus occurs when there is continuous seizure activity or reoccurence without a recovery period. The term status epilepticus refers to prolonged seizures or repeated seizures.
You might feel fine and be able to get back to what you were doing straight away. Or you might feel confused or tired for some time afterwards. You might need to sleep. Some people find they have temporary weakness or can't move part of their body after they've had a seizure.
Some dogs will have more obvious signs such as seizures. Seizures can be general, affecting the whole brain causing a classic 'fit', or focal, just affecting one part of the brain, thus one part of the body. An abnormal movement in a limb, for example. A brain tumour is just one possible cause for seizures.
Common breeds that have a higher rate of epilepsy include Beagles, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Border Collies, Boxer Dogs, Cocker Spaniels, Collies, Dachshunds, Golden Retrievers, Irish Setters, Irish Wolfhounds, Keeshonds, Labrador Retrievers, Poodles, St.
Focal epilepsies are characterized by seizures arising from a specific part (lobe) of the brain. Focal epilepsies include idiopathic location-related epilepsies (ILRE), frontal lobe epilepsy, temporal lobe epilepsy, parietal lobe epilepsy and occipital lobe epilepsy.
Focal seizures begin in one area of the brain, but can become generalized and spread to other areas. For seizures of all kinds, the most common treatment is medication. The doctor may also recommend diet therapy, nerve stimulation or surgery, depending on the seizures' characteristics.
Behavioral factors like fear or anxiety, defensive aggression, and abnormal perception greatly increased in dogs left untreated for epilepsy, suggesting that there is an association between these factors and the seizure episodes (4).
If you think your loved one or yourself may be having focal impaired awareness seizures, let your doctor know your concerns right away. Untreated seizures can lead to injury, significant memory impairment, and in rare cases physical injury or death.