Are Seizures a Common Problem for Brittany Spaniels?

Whether you are researching the Brittany spaniel breed or if you already have a Brittany spaniel, it’s essential to know which health conditions may affect your canine companion. Brittany spaniels are more predisposed to specific health issues than other breeds – and some are more serious than others.

Seizures are more common in Brittany spaniels than in mixed-breed dogs. Studies have shown that Brittany spaniels and many other purebred dogs are genetically predisposed to neurological disorders, such as epilepsy; however, this does not mean that every Brittany spaniel will have seizures.

Although Brittany spaniels do not necessarily have a greater risk of developing seizures than other purebred dogs, it is essential to know why seizures occur, what to do if your dog has one, and what to expect in terms of treatment and prognosis.

How Serious Are Seizures in Dogs?

Seizures in dogs are very serious and can be life-threatening if left untreated or if the underlying issue causing them isn’t addressed. Seizures are a symptom, not a diagnosis. Don’t assume that your Brittany spaniel’s seizures are hereditary just because the breed is more predisposed to seizures.

Although it is reassuring to know that seizures are not painful for your dog and are considered common by medical professionals, they can affect his quality of life. If an episode lasts longer than 3 minutes or if your dog has several in a row, take him to a vet immediately.

Besides having a hereditary predisposition, studies have uncovered many other factors that can cause seizures in dogs – these include underlying disorders, injuries, and environmental toxins and triggers. If your dog has had a seizure, it is vital to consult your vet to rule out life-threatening conditions.

Conditions That Cause Seizures

Acute or chronic renal failure – acute renal failure presents suddenly, while chronic renal failure is gradual and associated with aging.

Anemia – anemia affects red blood cells and their ability to deliver oxygen to the brain.

Cancer – tumors that affect the nervous system and brain

Infectious illnesses that affect the nervous system, such as canine distemper and rabies

Diabetes

Heart disease

Heatstroke and dehydration

Parasites such as roundworm, heartworm, and tapeworm cause parasitic encephalitis, which leads to swelling around the brain

Nutritional imbalances and deficiencies

Injuries

Physical injuries to the head, spinal cord, or organs can affect the functioning of your dog’s nervous system and cause neurological damage that can lead to seizures. If your dog continues having seizures after treatment for an injury, contact your veterinarian.

Environmental Toxins

Poisonous plants

Poisonous/venomous animal bites or ingestion

Certain pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides

Cleaning products

Certain essential oils such as pennyroyal, tea tree, camphor, eucalyptus, and rosemary can trigger seizures

Drugs – illegal or prescription

Antifreeze

If other likely causes of seizures have been ruled out, your vet may diagnose your dog with idiopathic epilepsy. Although idiopathic epilepsy may be hereditary, the exact cause may not ever be known.

What Happens to a Dog During a Seizure?

During a seizure, neurons in the dog’s brain are overstimulated or firing incorrectly. Seizures tend to come on suddenly and uncontrollably, and your dog’s reactions can depend on what type of seizure he’s having.

Generalized Seizure

During a generalized or grand mal seizure, your dog may fall over, stiffen (tonic movement), lose consciousness, paddle in the air (clonic movement), twitch violently, drool excessively, lose control of his bladder and bowels, or bite the air.

Focal Seizures

Focal seizures occur when only one part of the brain is affected by abnormal neuron activity. Your dog may have difficulty walking, twitch on only one limb or one side of his body, or move abnormally. Although the focal phase may only last a few seconds, focal seizures can become generalized seizures.

Psychomotor Seizures

Psychomotor seizures may present as abnormal or erratic behavior, such as tail-chasing, fly-biting, or attacking an invisible object. They usually only last a few minutes.

It can be difficult to tell a psychomotor seizure from general hyperactivity in an active Brittany spaniel. One quick way to distinguish a psychomotor seizure is your dog will engage in the same behavior every time they have a seizure. They will always chase their tail, bite at flies, or run in circles.

What To Do if Your Brittany Spaniel Has a Seizure

It is vital to ensure that you are not near your dog’s mouth while he is having a seizure because you may get bitten. The best thing to do is monitor him and prevent him from injuring other animals, people, and himself. Don’t worry about your dog swallowing his tongue – this is a myth.

Call your vet if your dog’s seizures last more than 3 minutes or if he has several seizures in a row – seizures can overheat the brain and cause permanent brain damage.

Prognosis of Brittany Spaniels Who Have Seizures

The prognosis is generally good for dogs who have seizures. Seizures can be managed effectively with proper treatment. However, if your dog has already had one seizure, he will probably experience them again. He will probably need to be on medication for the rest of his life.

Available Treatments for Seizures

There are several ways of dealing with a Brittany spaniel with seizures. Your veterinarian can prescribe medication, but may also suggest other ways of keeping your dog’s seizure disorder under control.

Medication

Your vet will prescribe anti-epileptic medication that you will need to administer daily. The first-choice drugs for the management of seizures are phenobarbital and potassium bromide – the dose will depend on the size of your dog and the severity of his seizures.

Complementary Therapy

Many people choose a holistic approach in combination with drug therapy, but it is important to consult your vet.

CBD Oil

Although there has not been extensive research on CBD oil for dogs, some owners have claimed that it helps, and preliminary studies on inflammation in humans have had promising results.

Diet

Some owners eliminate foods that may aggravate existing seizure disorders by feeding their dogs a raw diet or premium-quality kibble. I recommend grain-free, high-protein formulas like ORIJEN Dry Dog Food and Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula from Amazon.com.

Supplements

Dietary supplements such as Omega 3 and 6 may also help with neurological issues. Omega 6 and Omega 3 are in fish oil and hemp seed oil. Omega 6 and Omega 3 dietary supplements can also assist in the cognitive and neural development of Brittany spaniel puppies. Check out Active Chews Omega 3 for dogs (made in USA) on Amazon.

Conclusion

If you want a purebred dog, you may not be able to completely eliminate all the hereditary issues that the breed is prone to. Purebred dogs, such as Brittany spaniels, carry a higher risk of congenital neurological disorders, including seizures. However, it is important to remember that seizures are usually a symptom and not a complete diagnosis.