Seizure-Precipitating Factors in Epileptic Dogs

28 Feb 2021

I found an interesting review of a paper.

This is the paper:


Forsgård JA, Metsähonkala L, Kiviranta AM, et al. Seizure precipitating factors in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. J Vet Intern Med. 2019;33(2):701-707.

And this is the review:


https://files.brief.vet/2019-09/FPTP_Seizure-Precipitating%20Factors%20in%20Epileptic%20Dogs.pdf

I’m going to start with the preamble as is:  “Humans with epilepsy frequently report precipitating factors associated with their seizures, which are numerous and varied and have included stress, difficulty sleeping, infectious disease, hormonal factors, and missing medication, among others.  In dogs, estrus has a reported association with cluster seizures, with intact female dogs clustering during estrus and for ≤1 to 3 months after. Other potential seizure-precipitating factors in canine epileptics include visits to the veterinary clinic, groomer, and/or boarding facility.”

So, the study was of 50 owners of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy, asking about triggering events.
•    58% of owners reported at least one seizure-trigger factor:  stress, excitement, and hot weather were most common.
•    If presented a checklist of triggers, then 74% recognized at least one trigger.  These included visitors to the home, altered sleep patterns, unfamiliar places, changes in lifestyle or routine, and weather.  No owner reported an association with vaccinations or dog shows.
•    A seizure occurred during or immediately following a triggering event in 19% of dogs; 35% reported a seizure within 24 hours of the trigger, and; 4% reported a seizure after 48 hours of the trigger. 
•    In 11% of dogs, the trigger resulted in an increase in frequency of seizures.

Fascinating!  Now, what does this have to do with REHAB?  Well, if your patient is epileptic, then you need to consider that simply attending a rehab session may be enough to trigger a seizure.  It is worthwhile to bring this up with a client.  Clients can be quick to make unfounded correlations, (i.e. “That modality caused the seizure; Fluffy was in the underwater treadmill for too long; She didn’t like when you mobilized her sacrum and that caused the seizure.”). 

If you arm the owner with knowledge that simply the change in routine might cause a seizure, then you have done your due diligence to educate.  You could bring it up immediately after asking about past medical history if epilepsy / seizure disorder is discussed.  Then you can obtain informed consent to proceed… but you have warned the client that simply taking a car ride to a new place might be enough of a trigger in and of itself.

All in all, this blog merely serves to help you navigate the litigious realities that we live in!


On that note, happy treating!



Cheers,  Laurie