Understanding Epilepsy in Dogs
Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition in dogs, affecting an estimated one to two per cent of the canine population across Europe. It is characterised by recurrent seizures — episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that cause temporary disturbances in movement, behaviour, sensation, or consciousness. Witnessing a seizure for the Everything You Need in Month 1">first time is a deeply distressing experience for most owners, but understanding what is happening and what to do can make a significant difference to the outcome for the dog and the wellbeing of the person witnessing it.
Idiopathic epilepsy is the most common form, meaning no underlying structural brain disease or metabolic cause can be identified — the seizure tendency appears to arise from a genetic predisposition to abnormal neuronal activity. It is the diagnosis given when other causes have been ruled out and the dog is otherwise healthy between episodes.
Types of Seizures
Seizures in dogs can take several forms. Generalised tonic-clonic seizures — the type most commonly associated with epilepsy in the public imagination — involve loss of consciousness, muscle rigidity (the tonic phase), followed by rhythmic muscle jerking (the clonic phase), often with paddling of the limbs, jaw champing, excessive salivation, and loss of bladder or bowel control. These are alarming to witness but usually self-limiting, ending within one to two minutes.
Focal seizures involve abnormal activity in only part of the brain and may cause subtler signs: facial twitching, rhythmic movement of one limb, repeated swallowing or lip licking, a fixed glassy stare, or sudden behavioural changes such as unprovoked aggression or apparent hallucination. Focal seizures may generalise — beginning with focal signs and progressing to a full tonic-clonic episode. Absence seizures, characterised by a brief period of unresponsiveness, are less commonly recognised in dogs than in humans.
Breeds With Higher Predisposition
Idiopathic epilepsy has a strong heritable component in many breeds. German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, Border Collies, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Beagles are among the breeds most frequently affected in Europe. In German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois, the condition is well-documented and ongoing genetic research aims to identify the specific genes responsible, with the hope of reducing prevalence through responsible breeding. FECAVA and breed health committees in several European countries have supported initiatives to collect health data on affected breeds.
What to Do During a Seizure
Knowing how to respond calmly and appropriately during a seizure is one of the most important things an epileptic dog's owner can learn. Stay as calm as possible and do not attempt to restrain the dog or put anything in its mouth — a dog cannot swallow its tongue during a seizure, and restraint can cause injury to both dog and owner. Clear the area of any furniture or objects the dog might injure itself against.
Time the seizure from the moment it begins. A seizure lasting longer than five minutes, or two or more seizures occurring within a 24-hour period without full recovery between them, constitutes a medical emergency known as status epilepticus. This requires immediate veterinary attention, as prolonged seizure activity can cause brain damage, dangerous overheating, and respiratory failure. If your dog has been prescribed emergency diazepam for rectal or buccal administration, now is the time to use it while arranging urgent transport to the vet.
After a seizure ends, your dog will likely enter the post-ictal phase — a period of confusion, disorientation, restlessness, temporary blindness, or excessive thirst and hunger lasting minutes to hours. Stay with your dog, speak quietly and reassuringly, and keep the environment calm. Most dogs recover fully from the post-ictal phase, though it can be prolonged.
Record every seizure in a diary — date, time, duration, description of the episode, and what the dog was doing beforehand. This seizure diary is an invaluable tool for your vet in adjusting treatment.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy requires the exclusion of other causes of seizures. Your vet will take a thorough history and perform a physical and neurological examination. Blood tests and urinalysis are performed to rule out metabolic causes of seizures, including hypoglycaemia, liver disease, electrolyte disturbances, and toxin exposure. If a structural brain lesion is suspected — based on the dog's age, breed, seizure type, or neurological abnormalities found on examination — MRI of the brain and cerebrospinal fluid analysis may be recommended. These investigations are typically performed at a veterinary neurology specialist centre.
The International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force has published consensus guidelines that are widely used by European veterinary neurologists in classifying and managing canine epilepsy.
Medication and Long-Term Management
Not every dog with epilepsy requires lifelong medication. Treatment is generally recommended when seizures occur more frequently than once per month, when clusters of seizures occur, when the post-ictal phase is prolonged and severe, or when there is a progressive increase in seizure frequency or severity.
Phenobarbital is the most commonly used first-line medication for canine epilepsy in Europe. It is highly effective in approximately 60 to 80 per cent of dogs and is relatively affordable. It is given orally twice daily and requires monitoring of blood levels and liver function every six months, as long-term use can affect liver enzymes. Potassium bromide is another well-established antiepileptic drug, often used in combination with phenobarbital in dogs that are not fully controlled on phenobarbital alone. More recently licensed antiepileptic drugs, including imepitoin, levetiracetam, and zonisamide, offer additional options for dogs that do not respond adequately to first-line treatment.
Finding the right medication and dose takes time and requires patience from both vet and owner. The goal of treatment is to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures to a level that allows the dog to have an acceptable quality of life, rather than necessarily eliminating seizures entirely.
Living Well with an Epileptic Dog
Dogs with well-controlled epilepsy can lead happy, active lives. Maintain a consistent daily routine, as changes in sleep patterns, feeding times, and stress levels can influence seizure threshold in some dogs. Avoid known triggers where possible. Never suddenly stop antiepileptic medication, as this can precipitate a rebound increase in seizures. Ensure all family members know how to respond to a seizure and have access to emergency contact details for your vet.