Canine epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions in dogs. Seizures cause acute suffering and can lead to life-threatening cluster episodes. Effective management dramatically improves welfare for millions of dogs globally.
Dogs with epilepsy experience both the acute suffering of seizures and chronic anxiety from the unpredictability of their condition. During a generalised seizure, dogs are unconscious but show involuntary convulsions — the distress is primarily experienced by owners, not the dog during the episode itself. The post-ictal phase, however, involves genuine confusion and fear. Dogs in poor seizure control live under constant risk of injury and life-threatening cluster events. Effective medication dramatically reduces this welfare burden. Owner education — recognising triggers, knowing when to seek emergency care, and keeping accurate seizure records — is as important as pharmacological management in achieving good long-term welfare outcomes.