A focal seizure in dogs, also called a partial seizure, is abnormal electrical activity localized to one specific area of the brain, causing symptoms like twitching in a limb, face (e.g., fly-biting, jaw clacking), or ear, often without loss of consciousness, though it can sometimes spread to become a generalized seizure. These seizures are subtle, affecting only part of the body, and may look like harmless behaviors, making them tricky to identify, but they can signal underlying issues and warrant a vet visit.

How to fix focal seizures in dogs?

How are focal seizures treated? The same anti-epileptic medications used for generalized seizures can be used in managing focal seizures and fly-biting. Medications commonly used for treating seizures in dogs include phenobarbital, zonisamide, potassium bromide, and levetiracetam.

What triggers focal seizures?

Focal seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in one specific area of the brain, often triggered by structural damage or injury like stroke, head trauma, tumors, infections, or developmental problems, but they can also have unknown or genetic origins. Common culprits include brain lesions, infections (meningitis, encephalitis), head injuries, tumors, strokes, and brain malformations, leading to localized, brief neurological symptoms. 

What is the difference between a seizure and a focal seizure?

Your brain has left and right halves, known as hemispheres. Generalized seizures affect both hemispheres of your brain, causing symptoms that affect both sides of your body. These are usually more severe. Focal seizures begin in one location within your brain — in either the right or left hemisphere.

Do focal seizures hurt my dog?

Seizures themselves may not cause pain, as dogs typically lose consciousness during the event. However, the side effects and aftermath of seizures can be distressing. Dogs experiencing seizures might urinate or defecate, and they can also injure themselves during the episode.

The different types of seizures seen in dogs

What triggers focal seizures in dogs?

On the other hand, focal seizures only result from abnormal electrical activity in one specific area of the brain. Symptoms of focal seizures can, therefore, vary widely based on the affected lobe or region of the brain. Dogs with focal seizures most commonly have a distinct cerebral lesion.

Do focal seizures have warning signs?

People with a certain type of seizures, known as focal seizures, may have warning signs in the moments before a seizure begins. These warning signs are known as auras. Warning signs might include a feeling in the stomach. Or they might include emotions such as fear.

What could be mistaken for focal seizures?

Health symptoms or problems, such as nausea or pain from stomach disorders or tingling and numbness from a pinched nerve, can be mistaken for focal seizures. Hallucinations (smells, tastes, sounds, visions) can accompany psychiatric illness or the use of certain drugs.

How long does a focal seizure last?

Focal seizures typically last from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, most commonly under two minutes, though they can sometimes feel longer for the person experiencing them, with symptoms varying greatly depending on the brain area affected, ranging from brief moments of staring or unusual sensations (focal aware) to repetitive behaviors like lip-smacking or confusion (focal impaired awareness), with longer durations sometimes indicating a need for medical attention.

What stops focal seizures?

Supportive tests, although helpful, need not be abnormal for a diagnosis of focal seizures. Monotherapy with anticonvulsant medication is the initial and preferred treatment. Choice of medication should be tailored to the needs of the individual patient, taking into account factors such as age, sex, and comorbidities.

Do focal seizures damage the brain?

It is important to remember that seizures usually stop on their own in a few minutes and do not cause brain damage, unless they last for more than 30 to 60 minutes.

What to avoid with focal seizures?

Avoid Seizure Triggers

• 1/11. Take Medicine as Prescribed. The top trigger for a seizure is not taking medication as prescribed. ...
• 2/11. Get More Sleep. ...
• 3/11. Be Careful With OTC Medicines. ...
• 4/11. Avoid Caffeine. ...
• 5/11. Lower Stress and Anxiety. ...
• 6/11. Stay Hydrated. ...
• 7/11. Eat Regularly. ...
• 8/11. Avoid Flashing or Flickering Lights.

How long should a focal seizure last in dogs?

A focal seizure, or partial seizure, affects only part of the brain. This results in only one limb or half of the dog's body having unusual movements. It is possible for a focal seizure to last for a couple of seconds and then transition into a generalized seizure.

What not to feed a dog that has seizures?

What NOT to Feed a Dog Who Has Seizures. If your dog is prone to seizures, you'll want to stay away from certain dietary ingredients. Avoid foods that promote inflammation (dairy/gluten), cause fluctuations in blood sugar (sugar/carbohydrates), or contain glutamate, aspartate, rosemary, or oregano.

What is the most common cause of focal seizures?

Focal seizures may be caused by an underlying structural abnormality in the brain, or they can be brought on by head trauma, stroke, infection or tumors. Most commonly, seizures have a genetic cause that is either new in the child or that is inherited from a parent with seizures.

What to do after a dog has a seizure?

Red-alert emergency

The first time your dog has a seizure, remain calm, stay safe, time the seizure, and when your dog has recovered, schedule a veterinary exam as soon as possible.

What is another name for a focal seizure?

Focal seizures are also called partial seizures since they begin in one area of the brain.

How to tell if focal seizure?

Focal seizure symptoms that can be seen

1. Jerking.
2. Muscles becoming limp (loss of muscle tone)
3. Repeated movements.
4. Difficulty speaking (aphasia)
5. Flushing (sudden increase of blood flow to the skin)

What is a seizure in a dog?

Watching your dog experience a seizure is both frightening and disturbing, especially if it is unexpected. There is collapse, involuntary movement, and often loss of consciousness, followed by a period of daze and disorientation. Prolonged seizure activity constitutes an emergency.

What triggers focal aware seizures?

Many times, the cause of focal aware seizures is not known. Anyone can have focal aware seizures. Sometimes they run in families. Other causes include brain injury or infection.

What can happen if focal seizures go untreated?

Untreated seizures can lead to injury, significant memory impairment, and in rare cases physical injury or death.

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