Another cause of seizures in dogs is exposure to toxins from spoiled food in the garbage. Antidepressants can cause vomiting and in more serious instances serotonin syndrome – a dangerous condition that raises temperature heart rate and blood pressure and may cause seizures.
Most commonly dog seizures are caused by seizure disorders like idiopathic epilepsy which is typically inherited but the cause is usually unknown.
What causes seizures in dogs toxins. Idiopathic epilepsy the most common cause of seizures in the dog is an inherited disorder but its exact cause is unknown. Other causes include liver disease kidney failure brain tumors brain trauma or toxins. The most common toxins to cause seizures in dogs are insecticides.
Many of these kill insects by interfering with the central nervous system and they can do the same to dogs if not used properly. Another cause of seizures in dogs is exposure to toxins from spoiled food in the garbage. According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center the ingestion of toxins found in food is one of the most common causes of dog seizures.
Listed below are the various dog food chemicals or ingredients identified as seizure triggers. A seizure also known as a fit or convulsion can be defined as involuntary contractions of the muscles abnormal sensations abnormal behaviors or some combination of these events that can occur in some dogs. A seizure is caused by the sudden and excessive firing of nerves in the brain.
Hepatic encephalopathy can cause a dog to experience seizures wobbly gait strange behavior confusion vocalizations and more. If your dog with liver disease has begun to have seizures it may be time to discuss quality of life with your veterinarian. Antidepressants can cause vomiting and in more serious instances serotonin syndrome – a dangerous condition that raises temperature heart rate and blood pressure and may cause seizures.
Seizurogenic chemicals include a variety of toxic agents including chemical warfare agents toxic industrial chemicals and natural toxins. Chemical weapons such as sarin and VX and pesticides such as parathion and carbaryl cause hyperstimulation of cholinergic receptors and an increase in excitat. Seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in a dogs brain.
In aging or older dogs seizures can be due to a variety of reasons. Pressure on the brain from trauma a tumor or abscess. Chemical irritation from exposure to a toxin.
Foods that are safe for human consumption can be poisonous to pets and some can even cause dog seizuresFoods that are left on countertops tables or open garbage receptacles pose a high risk because they are accessible to pets and may not be recognized as a poison by their owners. Cats are typically less adventurous than dogs when it comes to toxins and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center warns that many times seizures in cats are due to human actions. For example some pet owners will apply a flea-control product made for dogs not knowing how dangerous that is for cats.
What Causes Dog Seizures. Dog seizures are caused by many differing reasons. Most commonly dog seizures are caused by seizure disorders like idiopathic epilepsy which is typically inherited but the cause is usually unknown.
Epileptic seizures in dogs are characterized as repeated episodes of seizures. Dog seizures can be caused by trauma exposure to toxins brain tumors genetic abnormalities issues with the dogs blood or organs or a number of other reasons. Other times seizures may sometimes occur for unknown reasons called idiopathic.
Causes of canine seizures include side effects from medications chemical exposure over-vaccination low blood sugar levels diabetes ingestion of toxins heat exhaustion hormonal imbalances heartworms injury or accident and even breed genetics. Treating a dog with seizures can be challenging but not impossible. Seizures can happen if the liver is unable to remove toxins from the blood because of liver disease.
This is a common cause of seizures in very young puppies from a few weeks old due to a condition called a portosystemic shunt and also in older dogs due to severe liver disease. Dogs with low blood sugar are also vulnerable to seizures. Hypoglycemia can be caused by a pancreatic tumor liver disease a cortisone deficiency and an accidental insulin overdose to a diabetic dog.
Dogs with low blood sugar are prone to seizures before feeding when their blood sugar or glucose levels are at their lowest levels.