Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological condition in dogs, with seizures causing acute suffering and long-term welfare impacts that require careful management to maintain quality of life.
Seizures cause acute, intense suffering. During a generalized seizure, dogs lose consciousness, experience violent muscle contractions, and may urinate or defecate involuntarily. The experience is involuntary and terrifying - both for the dog and for owners. The post-ictal period of confusion, anxiety, and sometimes aggression can last hours. For dogs with poorly controlled epilepsy, the uncertainty of when the next seizure will occur creates ongoing anxiety - owners of epileptic dogs often observe subtle behavioral changes including clinginess and restlessness in the hours before a seizure. Multiple daily seizures profoundly compromise quality of life. Status epilepticus causes rapid brain damage and requires emergency treatment to prevent death.