Background

You should not need much background on this as we mere humans are also known to suffer from this debilitating condition. It has the same or similar genres in canines as it does in humans, namely;

Grand Mal Seizures — Whereby the dog will collapse and it’s muscles will become rigid and tremor or spasm during the seizure, they are usually incontinent and unresponsive to any simulation, soothing or petting, (though this is still thought to help the dog stay calm) If you imagine your dog when it’s having one of its many dreams and it’s woofing and looking as though its running in its sleep, this is less severe and obviously once called the dog will arouse from sleep, but its similar just to give you an idea. Dogs suffering from Grand Mal are at more risk as if remains untreated or is uncontrolled and very severe even with drugs they can go into a coma and not regain consciousness. Some may regain consciousness but may have sustained temporary or permanent brain injury or blindness which can leave them very stressed and confused, depending on severity of the brain damage/blindness, i.e. whether it’s permanent or temporary and if temporary, for how long and how often is the dog affected after each seizure, then in some cases your vet may advise that it is more humane to euthanize the dog.

Petit Mal Seizures — Seizures are usually less severe, less frequent last less time and are usually well controlled with drugs.

Absences — The dog does not lose consciousness, but has frequent brief and temporary absences, where he becomes motionless and stares blankly whereby you cannot arouse him (not to be confused with Utonagan goonlike behaviour where they just disregard you by choice ... lol)

Usually if a dog suffers from epilepsy it generally becomes evident between 12 months and 2 years of age, when they reach sexual maturity (though Utes are known to be late developers so it may become evident at a later stage).

Causes

As with humans this is thought to be an imbalance or absence of electrical impulses in the brain. It can be a hereditary condition so there is a high chance any puppies the affected dog/bitch may produce, will also be affected.

Treatment

Drugs such as Epiphen, bromide phenobarbitone are prescribed on a trial and error basis until the correct dosage is established to either prevent the seizures altogether or at least control them. Many vets are now also recommending your dog’s diet be changed to a non allergenic variety, which I personally would advise all Utonagan owners to feed. Basic, complete meals may be cheaper but the amount of crap they contain is quite frightening.

What I find more frightening is that our dogs are now being affected by conditions mainly associated with humans, i.e. Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Eczema, skin allergies, food allergies, Anal Furunculosis, Epilepsy.

The fact that that many vets have reported that when dogs known to be suffering from these conditions, are changed onto non allergenic food, the symptoms almost disappear, this does not give me any confidence in the cheap mass produced, wheat, gluten, animal meat by-product packed complete meals. When it comes to the health and well being of my own dogs, cost of feed is not an issue.

Breeding Advice

It goes without saying, that any dog known to have suffered from seizures/epilepsy, should not under any circumstances be bred from and that any seizures should be reported to myself The Breed Advisor.

In my opinion, from prior experience with a dog suffering from this condition and living in a breeding home, I would advise that if the dog is male and kept with other sexually active adult dogs in a breeding environment, that the dog should be castrated and re-homed ASAP for his own well being.

This is only because seizures are known to be induced by stress and there is nothing more stressful for an entire male dog than being in close proximity to a bitch or bitches in season. If the dog were to be separated from the bitch to prevent mating, in my view this would be even worse and downright cruel as the dog would become severely stressed due to not being able to mate and would no doubt have repeated seizures. Also according to various websites castration of entire males can reduce seizures because of the reduction in hormones produced.

Though it is a heartbreaking decision to have to part with one of your pets it is much kinder than to let yourself be the cause of repeated seizures unnecessarily.

Naomi, TUS Welfare co-ordinator, is well experienced and currently lives with an Epileptic whippet. She will help find a suitable and quiet home and explain all aspects of the care needed for a dog suffering from epilepsy and also explain that once the right dosage of medication and suitable diet are in place the dog may live a fairly normal seizure free life.

Any dog known to be from an Epileptic Sire or Dam or to have Epilepsy in its line, should be closely monitored and definitely not used for breeding until it has passed the age where seizures are known to generally first occur, i.e. 18 months- 2 years of age. If seizures occur after a dog has been used for mating, he/she should not be used again and the Breeder should then notify any resultant pup owners and myself the Breed Advisor so that I may update the databases.

I do have contact details for a Utonagan owner who has a Ute suffering from this condition, she is very well read on the subject and has offered her assistance and to give advice to anyone with a Ute diagnosed with Epilepsy. If you would like to contact her please e-mail me

Lines known or thought to be affected

Redkite, Nebraska, Blustag, Engrish, Spotted Wolf, Neviscan Spirit, Twatha, Sulin.

Links

http://www.dogstuff.info/canine_idiopathic_epilepsy_muns.html
http://www.vetneuro.com/seizureq.htm
http://www.petz.co.uk/vetontheweb/new/article17.html