Just like people, dogs can suffer from epilepsy.

This seizure disorder is characterized by uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain resulting in abnormal movements, altered behavior, and/or loss of consciousness. Seizures can have many causes, such as trauma, infection, metabolic disturbances, brain tumors and more. When no specific cause can be pinpointed, it’s known as idiopathic epilepsy.

Idiopathic epilepsy is the most common medical neurologic disorder of dogs and is reported to affect one in every 100 dogs. Diagnosis, often made in young to middle-aged dogs, involves a full medical work-up to rule out underlying causes and treat any concurrent diseases. This may include bloodwork, imaging such as MRI or CT scans, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. The condition requires lifelong management, creating a significant financial and emotional burden for affected dogs and their families.

Treatment for idiopathic epilepsy involves avoiding or managing seizure triggers such as anxiety, stress or certain foods. If seizures are severe or occur frequently enough, anti-seizure medications are prescribed. There are numerous anti-seizure drugs approved for use in dogs. They must be taken as prescribed and should not be stopped without consulting a veterinarian, as doing so may trigger more seizure activity. Multiple medications may be needed to adequately control a dog’s seizures and a good relationship with the veterinary team is critical for successful outcomes.

Additional treatment options include nutritional supplements, dietary therapy and traditional Chinese veterinary medicine. All treatments should be given under the guidance of a licensed professional to avoid dangerous side effects and medication interactions.

Progress in Canine Epilepsy Research

Despite appropriate anti-epileptic therapy, approximately one-third of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy will continue to have seizures.

If we better understand exactly what, where, and how the brain malfunctions in epileptic dogs, we might be able to discern different subtypes of epilepsy, create more accurate diagnostic tests, and develop more effective treatments for this challenging disease. Thanks to funding from the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF, www.akcchf.org ), a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the health of all dogs through scientific research, veterinary scientists are actively searching for these answers.

Since its founding in 1995, CHF and its donors have invested more than $3 million to study canine epilepsy, resulting in significant progress:

Dietary Supplements: Studies show that supplementation with medium-chain triglyceride oil decreases seizure frequency and improves the behavioral changes that commonly occur with epilepsy.

Genetic Research: Specific genetic mutations linked to an increased risk of epilepsy in dog breeds like the Belgian Tervuren and Belgian Sheepdog allow breeders and veterinarians to conduct preventive screenings and manage idiopathic epilepsy in these breeds.

CBD Oil Efficacy: Additional research has demonstrated CBD oil is an effective treatment for canine epilepsy, providing critical scientific evidence for the use of this popular remedy.

Active Epilepsy Studies

Ongoing CHF-funded studies are building on these findings to provide new diagnostic and treatment options for epileptic dogs.

Brain Imaging: One study is using novel imaging technology to measure brain tissue stiffness and how it relates to epilepsy.

Biomarkers: Researchers are also exploring biomarkers of drug-resistant epilepsy to quickly identify dogs that will need higher doses and/or multiple drugs to control their disease. This will give owners a more accurate prognosis and help clinicians begin appropriate therapies for these difficult cases.

CBD Oil Dosing: A clinical trial is defining the appropriate dose of CBD oil for seizure treatment – providing data on how much of this compound should be given and how often for maximum effect.

Advanced Technology: Different technologies such as MRI and EEG are exploring how the brain is impacted by epilepsy and anti-seizure drugs to identify new treatment strategies.

Cluster Seizure Management: Finally, another clinical trial is examining in-home treatment protocols for cluster seizures, a dangerous condition in which seizures occur frequently.

Additional Resources

While idiopathic epilepsy usually requires lifelong management, there is hope for affected dogs and their families.

Veterinary scientists are borrowing knowledge from human medicine, using new technologies, and exploring medications and nutritional supplements -- all to increase our understanding of idiopathic epilepsy and improve outcomes for affected dogs.

CHF and its donors remain committed to this search for answers. They offer resources to help veterinary professionals and dog owners stay up to date on the latest research findings. Your dog may also be eligible to participate in canine epilepsy research by submitting a blood sample or participating in a clinical trial.

Anyone interested in learning about these opportunities and supporting this critical canine health research can visit www.akcchf.org/epilepsy for more information. Working together, we can create a brighter future for epileptic dogs and their families.

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