Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder in dogs, affecting approximately 0.75% of the canine population. Welfare considerations span seizure events themselves, post-ictal recovery periods, and long-term medication management.
Seizures cause acute distress and disorientation — dogs are unaware of their surroundings during events and may injure themselves falling or paddling. Generalised seizures are physically exhausting and followed by post-ictal periods of confusion, anxiety, and sometimes aggression. Frequent seizures cause cumulative neurological damage if uncontrolled. Long-term phenobarbital therapy, while effective, causes hepatotoxicity in some dogs over time, requiring monitoring and dose adjustments. The anxiety owners experience during seizure events — and the unpredictability of episode timing — creates additional welfare burden for both dog and household. Quality of life assessment using validated tools helps ensure that medical management is serving the dog's welfare, not merely suppressing seizure counts.