Seizure Disorders

Idiopathic epilepsy is a specific term referring to a seizure disorder in dogs that has no identifiable cause. It is also referred to as genetic or congenital epilepsy, and the terms epilepsy, seizure,...

Eclampsia is the acute life-threatening disease caused by extremely low calcium (hypocalcemia) in lactating bitches. It is caused by loss of calcium in the milk often combined with poor dietary calcium...

Granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis (GME) is a sporadic, inflammatory disease of the central nervous system of dogs and rarely cats. It is most common in middle age dogs, although it can occur from...

Strychnine is a toxin derived from the seeds of Strychnos nux vomica and S. ignatii. It is used to control rats and other predators, although when ingested by dogs, it is extremely toxic, and can cause...

The portal vein enters the liver and allows toxic components of the blood to be detoxified by the liver. When a shunt is present, the portal vein is inappropriately connected to another vein, which causes...

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a clinical syndrome characterized by abnormal mental status, an altered state of consciousness, and impaired neurologic function that occurs in animals with advanced liver...

Administering the proper dose of phenobarbital is key in treating seizure disorders in dogs; the blood level must be monitored carefully to determine the amount of medication that is in the blood.

Potassium bromide is a drug used to control seizures. Administering the proper dose to reduce the incidence of seizures without overdosing is key. To determine the proper dose, potassium bromide blood...

Canine distemper is an acute (sudden onset) contagious and often fatal disease with respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous system manifestations.

Cerebral edema is swelling of the brain and is most often caused by head trauma in veterinary patients. Cerebral edema can also be caused by lack of oxygen, decreased blood flow to the brain, brain tumors,...