subject: Dog Seizures - What Are The Common Causes? [print this page] A dog is one of the most widely cared for pets. Considered as man's best friend, a dog owner would treat it like a true family member. He would spend money, time and effort in ensuring the well being and happiness of the dog. And as such, if a dog gets sick, the owner would do all that it takes to make it well.
One of the most dreaded sights for dog owners is his pet having seizures. But dealing with this situation calls for one's preparedness. To handle the situation properly, one has to know first what causes dog seizures so that the necessary precautions and treatments be taken.
There are many things where canine seizures can be attributed to. Epilepsy, a condition pertaining to a chronic neurological disorder characterized by repetitive seizures, is one of the most common. Another cause is canine distemper which is a viral disease that normally occurs in young dogs. This can progress to the nervous system, causing muscle weakness, loss of basic motor skills and seizures. But if your dog has received distemper vaccination, most probably this is not the reason for such condition.
Another probable cause of seizures in dogs is toxin ingestion. Household products like pesticide or toxic substance that may be present in trash where your dog could have come across, can cause seizures. Lead poisoning has been reported as a common cause of seizures that is attributed to toxin. If you have lead based paint at home, this should be stored securely to prevent it from causing health risk.
Other causes of seizures that have been identified are brain tumor, head injury and metabolic problems. Brain tumor is an abnormal growth in the brain that can disrupt brain functions thereby causing seizures. A recent accident resulting to head injury might involve crack in the dog's cranium damaging brain tissues and leading to seizures. Low blood sugar level and other metabolic problems can also initiate canine seizures.
An understanding of the causes of seizures is essential in effective management of the condition. But under any circumstance, the owner should not panic so that he can think and act accordingly. One should be quick to move anything that can harm the dog while it is having seizures. He should not try to interfere with the seizure, much more open the dog's mouth as he could be injured.
by: sdemers123
welcome to Insurances.net (https://www.insurances.net)
