Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders in dogs, affecting up to 5.7% of the canine population. Seizures cause acute distress and long-term welfare costs, but effective management can dramatically improve quality of life.
Epileptic dogs experience acute welfare insults during seizures, including pain, confusion, involuntary muscle contractions, and post-ictal disorientation that can last hours. The anticipatory anxiety many owners feel, and potentially the dogs themselves, about unpredictable seizures adds a chronic welfare dimension. Poorly controlled epilepsy significantly reduces activity and social engagement. However, with appropriate diagnosis and medication, many dogs maintain good quality of life. Welfare assessment should include seizure frequency and severity, medication side effects such as sedation and polyphagia, owner stress levels, and the dog's interictal behaviour and enjoyment of normal activities.