Riley is 7 years old and is epileptic. He was diagnosed at just 18 months old with idiopathic epilepsy which has proved increasingly difficult to control. Despite taking a plethora of medication Riley still suffers with clusters of fits every few weeks.

Early Signs of Westie Diabetes

When Riley became unwell a few weeks ago we thought it may be the start of an epileptic episode. It quickly became evident that this was something different and whatever it was Riley was deteriorating quite quickly. We took him to the vets who suspected an infection. He was started on antibiotics, anti-sickness, and other medications whilst blood and urine tests were sent for analysis. The tests were repeated the following week to check that the antibiotics were working but instead of getting better Riley’s condition worsened, he became unsteady on his feet, was very lethargic and continued to lose weight. To make matters worse he started to have a cluster of fits which lasted a couple of days.

We returned to the vet for urgent blood and urine testing. We were shocked when the vet advised us that Riley had really high glucose in both his blood and urine, combined with his physical symptoms the clinical signs were pointing towards him being diabetic. All his previous tests were compared including those taken a few days prior. All were clear. The prognosis was that he was experiencing the early symptoms and side effects of diabetes mellitus.

When Riley’s blood glucose was tested again the next morning it was still high so we needed to start injecting insulin twice a day. We were taught how to inject him and given a very quick lesson in what to expect and how to treat hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. Diabetes is not particularly common in Westies but can develop in any breed at any time.

Coping with a diabetes diagnosis

This was another massive learning curve for us to ensure that we understood the symptoms and implications of diabetes and how we could help Riley. Just as we started insulin treatment Riley started to have another cluster of fits, over three days he had a dozen fits. We had a dreadful weekend not knowing if his lethargy and difficulty walking was due to the fits or diabetes. We visited the vet again on the Monday. The vet repeated the fructosamine tests which confirmed the diabetes diagnosis. What a roller coaster!

We have now been treating Riley for a few weeks and thankfully he has had no further fits. At this stage he is on a very low dose of insulin and we are watching him carefully while we learn how his body needs the insulin to help him getting nourishment from his food. We have only once had to use rescue glucose due to hypoglycemia but diabetes, we are learning, is quite complex. Factors such as a longer walk, increased activity, being sick or unwell can all have an affect on how the insulin works. Riley was an average size Westie and over a few weeks his weight has plummeted due to the Diabetes. He is constantly hungry and thirsty.

What caused a 7 year old Westie to become diabetic?

What we know at the moment is that his body is not producing enough insulin. He had pancreatitis just over a year ago and this may have caused some damage that stopped the pancreas working properly.

As for Riley as always he has taken this in his stride! He waits patiently for his injections which don’t seem to bother him and just carries on. At the moment he is not regaining weight despite an increase in his meals.

What is Diabetes and what are the symptoms?

Diabetes Mellitus is a condition where the pancreas either fails to produce insulin or where cells are no longer able to use the insulin that is being produced. There are two types of canine diabetes Type 1 is insulin dependant, this is where the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin. Type 2 is insulin resistant, where cells respond incorrectly to the insulin that is produced. Both types of diabetes results in the muscles and organs being starved of energy as the the glucose present which has been metabolised from food, can not be converted. In both types of diabetes excessive amounts of glucose will be found in the blood.

The symptoms of both types of diabetes are the same. A Westie with diabetes will be hungry a lot of the time as the body can not convert the glucose into energy. They will become lethargic and often loose weight despite maintaining a normal or increased diet. Blood glucose will be high and will also often be found in the urine. Diabetes causes increased thirst leading a dog to drink more. Due to the change in urine concentration dogs will often need to urinate more frequently or may start to have ‘accidents’. The increased urination can lead to the dog becoming dehydrated which places them at greater risk of an infection. Diabetes can also affect the liver and the eyes.

What are the different types of Diabetes?

Insulin dependant diabetes mellitus, Type 1 where the pancreas no longer produces sufficient insulin, can occur at any age. Type 2 diabetes which is insulin resistant diabetes is often seen in older dogs, particularly if they are overweight.

Diabetes is a serious illness which needs to be identified and treated rapidly to avoid damage to organs. Unfortunately there is no cure but both types of diabetes can be managed. Insulin dependant diabetes, Type 1, will require twice daily doses of insulin to be administered. Insulin resistant diabetes, type 2, can often be managed by a change in diet.

It is a good idea to keep a daily diary to record of symptoms and diet. We have kept a record of medication doses, time given, meals, drinking, mobility and mood.

Monitoring Diabetes at home

You can buy urine-dip sticks for daily testing to keep an eye our for excessive glucose and ketones.  Urine tests don’t help with dosing but will warn you if large quantities of glucose are passing through the system.

Ask your vet about using a blood glucose testing kit at home. The kits come complete with lances and testing strips for you to test a tiny blood sample each day. The advantage with this system is that you can share the results with your vet and quickly alter the insulin dose. Devices are readily available from major pet stores.

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From the 6th April 2016 it has been a legal requirement in the UK to have all dogs microchipped but is the practice safe? Leading experts across the field of veterinary practice promote and support the use of microchipping. The procedure is considered to be extremely safe and in the event of your dog getting lost or stolen it is the best way to aid their return. Thousands of dogs, and cats, are microchipped every year in the UK and only a tiny minority suffer any after effects. The most noted issue is a slight swelling at the site of insertion which usually resolves within a couple of days.

What is a pet microchip?

A pet microchip is a tiny chip that contains a registration code that is no bigger than a grain of rice. The chip is inserted under the dog’s skin usually in the nape or scruff of the neck using a needle. For those that are needle phobic this sounds quite daunting but dogs tend to have quite a thick pocket of skin in this area and the needles used are small. The experience is no different to having inoculations. The microchips do not have or need a power supply and most have a lifespan of twenty to thirty years.

What happens to the chip and how is it useful?

The chip sits in your pets neck and over time a small pocket of fibres envelope and protect it which help to hold it in place. A chip reader is used to read the data on the microchip. Veterinary practices, dog wardens, rescue centres and dog rehoming centres will usually have access to chip readers. Once the chip number has been identified it can then be checked on the pet register and the owner identified. It is believed that this will enable dogs to be reunited with their owners quickly and avoid the need for long stays in pet shelters. It has been suggested that microchipping will save several thousands of healthy dogs being euthanased every year if they can’t be rehomed.

Where do you register your Microchip?

When you first get your puppy or dog, or if you have taken your pet to the vet to have a microchip fitted, you will be given a copy of the chip’s unique code number. These are usually provided on a sheet along with a barcode. Your will be given the details of where the chip is registered which you can then go and update online. Each time you move you need to update the register.

Does a microchip need any maintenance?

No, once inserted microchips are maintenance free. You can ask your vet to check the chip at a regular check up for peace of mind.

Do Microchips fail?

It is extremely rare but not impossible for a chip to fail. In most instances this would be detected before the microchip is implanted. The vet or clinician will usually check the chip and its manufacture date before use. Periodic checks will ensure that the chip is still working. There have been reports of failure but this is often caused by reader issues or the chip having moved. There are reported cases where chips have migrated to other areas under the skin or further down the back.

As it is now a legal requirement in the UK for a dog to be microchipped vets and rescuers will check thoroughly until they find the code. The biggest risk to failure is not the chip itself but the contact records being out of date where owners have moved house or sold a pet and the records have not been changed.

Do Microchips work?

The internet is awash with tales of pets being reunited with their owners as a result of microchipping. When a lost dog is taken to a veterinary surgeon or to the dog warden a simple scan of the neck area will reveal the chip which can be checked on the register and the owners contacted. In these circumstances pets can be returned to their owners quickly. There are many heartwarming tales of pets being reunited after long periods where a routine check on a microchip has revealed that the dog in question was stolen, often where the new owners have believed they were giving a home to an unwanted pet.

How much does it cost?

The costs vary but expect to pay in the region of £25 – £40. You can also check on the UK Government website for advice on organisations that may microchip your pet without cost.

Can a dog be exempted from having a microchip?

In exceptional, health related, circumstances an exemption certificate may be possible if arranged by a vet.

Is there a penalty if a dog is found without a microchip?

When the regulations were introduced a penalty was implemented at the same time to encourage pet owners to comply. The penalty for not having your pet microchipped is currently £500.

What happens if you buy a dog that already has a microchip?

When you buy or rehome a Westie that has a microchip ask the current owner for the microchip registration documents. Update the register as soon as you bring the dog home, there may be a small charge to do this.

Lost your microchip number?

What do you do if you have lost the paperwork and don’t have a record of the microchip? The best option is to contact your veterinary practice or whoever fitted the microchip. If that is not an option ask your vet, dog warden or rescue centre to scan your pet. Be prepared to provide some form of ID.

Find out more about microchipping your Westie on the RSPCA or the UK Government websites.

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There is no subject more likely to evoke a range of opinions than Pet Insurance. It would be difficult to cover such a big subject on one page but I am going to share my experience with Pet Insurance and why I would always recommend you have it. For every one like me there are many other pet owners who have never had or needed insurance, but is the risk worth taking?

Why have pet insurance for your Westie?

As modern medicine continues to make massive strides in treatment, prevention and cure for us humans so it does for our canine companions. Trauma injuries can now be treated by vets with the latest technology in scans and x-rays or in serious instances pets can be transferred to animal hospitals or centres of excellence scattered across the country. Illness, including the most serious of cancers, can be diagnosed and treated with a wide range of disciplines, surgery, oncology and holistic therapies. You only need to watch an episode of Supervet to see what is possible!

If you want the very best for your canine companion can you afford the cost which may sometimes run into the thousands of pounds? – I was amazed to learn that a brain scan for a dog is actually more expensive than that for a human but it makes sense. Capital costs cannot be recovered in anything like the same time and the level of expertise needed requires massive investment in training and knowledge.

We are a nation of dog lovers and commit daily to providing the very best we can. Our dogs become a member of the family and our reliance on their devotion is intrinsically woven into our family life. We never want to have to say no so the best way to ensure that we can offer the best is to take out insurance to protect against all ills.

The pet insurance market is massive. From specialist companies to national supermarkets policies are available everywhere. The cover and terms are often similar but it is really important to read the small print.

What are the options with Pet Insurance?

Policies are offered in two fundamental ways. Year by year or covered for life. There is a cost differential. Everybody will say that insurance is expensive until you need it, then, you want the very best.

Understanding the two choices

Year by year pet insurance is just that, a policy taken out for one year. At the end of the year you can renew, go elsewhere or do without. If you have a claim in that one year the claim would be taken into consideration at renewal. When you renew the ailment, injury or illness may be excluded and therefore not covered on any future policies.

Covered for life is a more costly product but provides greater cover. This type of policy ensures that if your pet is the subject of a claim for either illness or trauma the cause is not excluded from future policies. In the case of a long term condition you can continue to claim. However, there must be no break in the insurance cover so you must renew at each anniversary.

Pet Plan offer a simple comparison on their website. With both our dogs we took out covered for life policies and this is the option I would always recommend. Westies are known for having certain skin problems for example which could mean a life of medication and treatment.

How can you reduce the premium?

There are ways to reduce premiums. Consider paying a higher excess, contributing a percentage to treatment costs or reducing the non essential cover. If you don’t take your Westie abroad ask if that cover can be removed. Likewise if your dog doesn’t ever stay in kennels do you need the cover? Talk to the insurance provider. Identify which of the two main principles you want to adopt within your policy and then fine tune what you need. If the insurer is not flexible look at another.

You can opt to ‘self insure’ where instead of paying insurance you put an amount of money aside each month. This requires discipline and accepting the risk that one trauma or significant illness could easily wipe out (or exceed) the pot.

Our Story!

One of our beautiful Westies is epileptic. He was diagnosed at just 18 months old and has a severe form of idiopathic epilepsy. He has had a battery of tests including brain scans, blood tests and heart testing.  All of these, often costly, tests were essential if we were to have a diagnosis and understanding of what we were facing. Riley was transferred to a specialist centre and has his care overseen by a canine neurologist – think Supervet! His care and treatment was outstanding. We were offered no cure or fix but were given a very detailed plan of treatment and care.

Thankfully we had a covered for life policy. The policy has remained in place and continues to pay significant costs each month to help control his epilepsy. Every year when we renew the policy cost increases due to his age but he is not penalised for his condition.

My advice would be to read all you can, and look at the options before making a decision.

For an informative unbiased view you can read more on the Which Website

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In general Westies are considered to be quite a hardy breed but despite this many will still suffer from occasional ill health. Some dogs may have genetic or hereditary factors that may influence their wellbeing. Allergies and environmental conditions may also play a part in determining your Westies health.

We have a duty of care

As pet owners we have a responsibility to care for our dogs and to do everything possible to aid their wellbeing and health. It is up to us as owners, to recognise and understand what our dog needs and how to make sure he gets it.

To keep your Westie as healthy and safe as possible ensure that he attends regular check-ups with your vet and has any prevention treatments recommended. The most important of these are vaccinations which begin when puppies are just a few weeks old. Vaccinations protect your dog against serious ailments including Bordetellosis (Kennel Cough), Distemper, Parvo virus and Hepatitis. Your vet may recommend other inoculations specific to a country or region. If you are likely to kennel your dog when you go on holiday a clean bill of health and up to date vaccinations will be necessary.

Other preventative treatment will include flea and tick treatments to prevent infestation and bites which can lead to serious illness both for your dog and potentially yourself. Dogs will also need worming twice yearly once they reach adulthood.

Fur, Teeth and Nails

General care for your Westie will also include regular grooming, ideally daily, along with washing and bathing as necessary. When grooming always check the skin. If there is any sign of a rash or irritation seek advice from your vet. Check your dog’s eyes, if there is weeping or discharge consult your vet, his nose should be cold and moist. Check his mouth and teeth to make sure there is no evidence of decay and if possible brush daily. There are many dental chews and supplements to help maintain healthy teeth. Check his feet, pads and claws regularly and clip when necessary. In the spring and summer keep an eye out for seeds getting stuck between the pads as this can cause irritation and possibly infection. Excessive licking of the feet and pads can be a sign of illness.

Toilet Habits

Pooping and Peeing. A healthy dog will poop between one and six times per day. Keep a check if there are signs of diarrhoea or sudden changes in his habits consult your vet. Male dogs will urinate far more than females, this is partly territorial as urine leaves a scent.

Exercise and Activity

All dogs need exercise and activity, if you have a large outdoor space that he can roam and run freely in he will be happy to explore and play. If not you should aim to walk him for at least an hour a day. Westies love to socialise and a daily walk can provide stimulation and an opportunity to meet up with other canine friends along the way. Exercise is important to your dogs health.

Feeding and Nutrition

There are many different options for feeding, dry, wet, a mixture of the two, fresh cooked, raw, biscuits, treats, the possibilities are endless and you must research and decide on what works best for you and your dog. Dogs don’t have a palate like ours and will not bat an eye if they are fed the same food every day. Once adults, dogs can be fed once per day either morning or evening. If you prefer you can feed a smaller amount twice daily. Make sure he eats at least an hour before a walk, if necessary wait until after the walk or exercise.

Activity time is really beneficial to your Westie so try and have a few minutes to play or chat/cuddle throughout the day. Westies are sociable and form a strong bond with you, they will enjoy your company.

Spaying and Neutering

If you do not intend to breed then consider spaying or neutering your dog. For a bitch as well as avoiding an unwanted pregnancy by removing the entire reproductive systems you reduce the risk of infection and tumours. It is recommended that you consider spaying before the first season – so at about 6 months. Neutering a male early will reduce male aggression and wanderlust in addition to reducing the risk of testicular or prostate cancers. If you are planning to show (exhibit) your Westie they should not be spayed or neutered.

Illness and Disease

Although Westies are considered to be hardy, some unfortunately, will have inherited or acquired ailments throughout their life. You will know if your Westie is ill or displaying unusual behaviour. When this happens consult your vet as soon as possible for advice.

Westie Ailments

As you will have read either in books or by searching the internet, Westie skin issues are quite common. Not all Westies suffer from the same skin condition. If your Westie has inflamed skin, a strange odour or is constantly licking an area make an appointment to see your vet who will carry out tests. Other symptoms may include bald patches, irritability or a change in skin colour. There are plenty of treatment options to relieve skin conditions and particularly itching and sore skin. The sooner you see your Vet and start a course of treatment the more comfortable your pet will be. For Westies who suffer allergies there are a whole range of new medicines which can alleviate symptoms.

Other less common conditions that are noted for Westies include inflammatory bowel disease, Legg-Perthes with affects the limbs, and Patella problems including dislocation or slipping of the knee. Westie Lung (pulmonary fibrosis) causes damage to the lungs and affects breathing, and early warning signs include a constant cough. Another condition is White Shaker Dog Syndrome, named due to its prevalence amongst white dogs. This is a very serious illness caused by inflammation of the central nervous system which affects brain function. The most notable symptom is a tremor affecting the whole body. This condition needs urgent medical attention.

Old age and health

As your Westie ages you may start to see signs of him slowing down. Keep an eye out for arthritis or joint discomfort or any other signs that your pet is unwell. One of the biggest worries for all dog owners as their pets age is cancer. Older dogs, particularly if they are overweight are at increased risk of diabetes.

There are too many possible illnesses and ailment to list here. Our advice would always be to consult you vet as soon as your Westie appears unwell.

As canine medicine has evolved there are now more treatment options available for many ailments.

We have two Westies who both suffer ailments in varying degrees. We would not change either of them but to keep them well and safe we work closely with our vet.

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Is your Westie calm and relaxed or does he have a restless stressed side that causes you concern? Try these ideas to help your Westie be a stress free dog!

Westies are renowned for their typical terrier like behaviour (as you would expect!). Quick to bark, love to dig, will chase anything and everything and firmly believe that they are the boss but take away the attitude and you may find your Westie is stressed.

Our Experience

We have a Westie girl who has a fantastic pedigree and is beautiful, but she can be a stressy, edgy little lady. After losing the battle with barking we were at our wits end with her and had tried everything when we were advised to try a Thunder shirt. At first we were sceptical – how could a shirt (more like a tight fitting sweatshirt!) settle a dog? To our surprise it worked. She is a very petite dog and is definitely more settled when wearing her Thunder Shirt. The style and fit applies gentle pressure which appears to reassure her. The company boast an 80%+ success rate. After the success of the coat we invested in a small draws worth of jumpers and T-shirts. The best few pounds we have ever spent!

Calming options

There are plenty of candles, plug in devices and medication you can also try to help relieve stress or to keep your Westie calm. Bonfire night can be extremely frightening to dogs, the same experience is often replicated in the days before and after, and again on New Year Eve.

KalmAid tablets also help to reduce stress. KalmAid contains L-Tryptophan which is an essential amino acid that increases production of calming serotonin.

You can try using pheromones. Adaptil make a plug in or a spray that may help to settle your dog. Pheromones are produced by mother dogs a few days after having pups. Adaptil is a synthetic version which has been successful in combating dog stress in both puppies and adult dogs. Adaptil also make a dog collars.

Aromatherapy candles may also help. Try Ylang-Ylang or Chamomile. Light the candle in the same area as the dog. Atomisers can be used to diffuse aromatherapy oils into the atmosphere.

Another suggestion is to use music or sound. Our dogs respond well to the radio. When we go out or when our epileptic dog is unsettled we put the radio on, or if they are wandering in and out of the lounge we may put the TV on, (particularly sport!). You can also purchase ‘dog music CD’s’ that can be bought online.

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I hope that you never have to go through the heartache of watching your precious Westie have a fit but if the unthinkable happens would you know what to do? Canine epilepsy in Westies is actually quite rare with higher instances in other breeds, but what should you do if the worst happens?

What to do

First and foremost is safety, both yours and your pets. Dogs are not in control when fitting and the jaw often locks. Our vet told me early on to avoid touching our dogs mouth when he is having a fit. Unknowingly he could bite.

Types of fit/seizure

Some fits are passive – when the dog will not lose consciousness. This type of fit is silent when the dog may twitch and appear to gaze into the distance. Our dog often gazes and appears to be catching flies gulping towards the sky. They last for a few moments and then pass. These are often referred to as focal seizures. There are other behaviours, chasing their tail, pawing or attacking an unseen object. This can be a psychomotor fit.

In a generalised or grand mal seizure the dog will usually fall to the floor. The legs will paddle violently and the body shake. If it is safe leave the dog where it is. If not gently move the dog from danger by the hind legs. I tend to pull Riley very gently holding his chest and back to move him away from danger, particularly if he is banging his head on a wall or door. Riley often goes to a corner or a door when he is starting to fit. There have been instances where he has climbed under the table. He often sleeps almost ‘wrapped’ around a table leg so I think he feels safe there. Despite loving his bed he has only once had a fit there. He always moves around unsettled in the moments before.

During the fit the dogs will often froth at the mouth. Dogs cannot swallow their tongue so no matter how violent the fit you should never try to open a dogs mouth.

Dogs will often lose control of their bladder and bowels during a fit so be prepared to clean them after. Whilst this is really upsetting to watch it is believed that the dog is not aware of what is happening during the fit.

What to do during the fit

I talk to our dog throughout the fit, reassuring him so that as soon as he gains understanding he knows he is safe.

Fits can last from a few seconds to minutes. Fits that last longer than two minutes can cause the dogs temperature to raise, so use a fan or cool water on the paw pads to lower the temperature.

What happens after the fit

When the fit passes your dog will be confused, distressed and may pace. Vision is often disturbed. We tend to avoid letting our dog out until he is steady on his feet and his vision is clear. In the immediate aftermath he often walk into objects, walls etc. He may also have saliva around his face and be wet if he has urinated during the fit. We leave him a few minutes before cleaning him up and at first only give him a quick rub with a towel. We tend to leave him for a few hours before attempting a more thorough clean up.

Be prepared for a second fit. Sometimes fits come in clusters so a second fit can follow a few minutes or hours after the first.

If this is your dog’s first fit ring your vet straight away. The vet will then examine your dog and carry out urgent tests. A common cause of fits is poisoning so the quicker your vet sees the dog the quicker treatment can begin.

In rare instances the fit is caused by idiopathic epilepsy which can be a lifelong condition. Other illnesses can cause epilepsy.

How to live with an epileptic dog – from my experience

Be prepared. Find out what helps your dog. If they are diagnosed with epilepsy they will probably be started on a course of medication, which can be changed and increased over time until the epilepsy is well controlled. In rare cases epilepsy is difficult to control so work with your vet to find ways to stop clusters. We use rectal Diazepam, sedatives and Gabapentin in the wake of a fit and Epiphen, Potassium Bromide and Kepra to prevent fits. All of these medications have to be controlled and monitored. Too little and the dog will continue to have fits – too much and the dog can become lethargic. Work with your vet to arrive at a course of action that works for you and your pet. Each dog is different.

You can live with epilepsy in your dog

Some reassurance – epilepsy is an awful illness, it is absolutely heartbreaking to watch your pet suffer but, and this is a big but, we wouldn’t be without our little lad. In between fits he is the most loving, loyal and happy dog we have ever had. If we have to cope with the epilepsy to enjoy him then we will!

Find out more about epilepsy in dogs

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West Highland White Terriers are renowned for skin problems so when our little girl started having skin and allergy problems we were not unduly surprised and promptly visited the vet. She underwent a battery of blood and skin tests and was prescribed a course of prescription medicine to improve her resistance to allergens and to help her skin to heal. We were half expecting to face the same issues with our little boy Westie as he grew older.

The first seizure

To our horror our little boy had a seizure in February 2013 just before his second birthday. The fit came from nowhere, there was no warning, no period of illness and no other symptoms. We rushed him to the vet who reassured us that this could be a one off. He took bloods and did a full examination but there was no obvious cause. We were given some medication for him to take for a few days and took him home.

That was the start of a pattern of seizures, always clusters, and often lasting 24 – 48 hours.  Six months later after a stay in a canine hospital under the care of a neurologist he was diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy.  He takes three types of medication three times daily to try and control his epilepsy and we have diazepam and gabapentin to use during and immediately after fits along with anti-sickness medication and anything else the vet can throw at him!

Thankfully it all helps but his epilepsy cannot be controlled. The longest period without a fit has been one six month period but is most often just a couple of weeks. The prognosis when he was two was not good with such severe epilepsy, and we have had some hairy days and nights along the way, but he has just turned 7 and thankfully is still with us.

Living with Epilepsy

Life with an epileptic dog is not easy. It breaks your heart every time you hear the tell-tale sound of his little body thrashing around during a seizure. His older sister squeals and barks to alert us as the fit is about to start and does not stop until we arrive at his side. She kisses him, tries to play fight with him and loves him until the fit passes. Over the next few hours she watches over him whilst we go through anything from three to six fits. We don’t know how much he knows at the time but SHE is a star!

There is no doubt that the seizures/fits have taken their toll on him, but through it all he is still happy and extremely loving. He is the most loyal little dog we have ever had. He is so brave and has defied all expectations as he continues to battle this awful condition.

What causes epilepsy?

Our dog has idiopathic epilepsy which is basically cause unknown – it is something built in him. There is no brain injury or trauma or other neurological or medical cause of the fits. Other cases of epilepsy can be as a result of a brain injury or trauma. Some medical emergencies may cause seizures including high temperature and sepsis. A common cause of seizures in dogs is as a result of ingesting poisons. Many pesticides and herbicides are toxic to dogs and can result in seizures. If the emergency can be resolved the fits may stop but only your vet can advise on lasting issues.

Epilepsy in dogs is heart breaking and terrifying in equal measure but it is not necessarily a life sentence. There are many excellent medications available, and the protocol is similar to that for humans. As medicine evolves and new treatment options are found to aid management of human epilepsy our canine companions will also often benefit.

Would you know how to cope with a fit, read more here.

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