Epilepsy is common in dogs and requires careful management to reduce seizure frequency while maintaining quality of life between episodes.
Dogs with epilepsy experience welfare impairment both during seizures and in the post-ictal period. Seizures cause loss of consciousness and involuntary movements that are distressing to witness but may not be consciously experienced by the dog. The post-ictal phase causes confusion, anxiety, and temporary blindness in some dogs, causing significant distress. Uncontrolled epilepsy with frequent seizures impairs quality of life substantially. Anti-epileptic medication significantly reduces seizure frequency and improves welfare for most dogs. Management of refractory epilepsy requires specialist neurology referral to optimise medication protocols.