Idiopathic Epilepsy in Dogs

Key Topics Covered

1. Understanding Seizures in Dogs

   • Learn about the different types of seizures, including generalized (grand mal), focal, cluster seizures, and status epilepticus.

   • Understand what happens in the brain during a seizure and the phases your dog may go through before, during, and after a seizure.

2. Diagnosing Idiopathic Epilepsy

   • Explore the diagnostic process used to determine whether your dog has idiopathic epilepsy, including physical exams, blood tests, and advanced imaging such as MRI and CT scans.

   • Understand the importance of ruling out other causes of seizures, such as metabolic disorders, infections, and structural brain abnormalities.

3. Other Conditions That Mimic Seizures

   • Learn about conditions that can look like seizures but aren’t, such as fainting (syncope), vestibular disease, narcolepsy, and muscle spasms.

   • Understand how these conditions are different and why an accurate diagnosis is essential for proper treatment.

4. Treatment Options for Epilepsy

   • Get a detailed breakdown of the most common anti-seizure medications, including phenobarbital, potassium bromide, levetiracetam (Keppra), and zonisamide.

   • Learn how these medications work, potential side effects, and how they are monitored over time.

   • Understand how medication dosages are adjusted based on your dog’s response and how to track your dog’s seizures for better management.

5. Alternative and Supplemental Therapies

   • Explore alternative treatments such as ketogenic diet, acupuncture, and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) as potential complementary therapies for managing seizures.

6. Emergency Care and Seizure Action Plans

   • Discover how to handle seizure emergencies at home.

7. Can I Ever Get My Dog Off Seizure Medications?

   • Learn about the possibility of reducing or discontinuing seizure medications and the risks associated with doing so.

   • Understand the criteria veterinarians use to determine if weaning off medications is safe, and why gradual reduction, rather than abrupt discontinuation, is essential to avoid rebound seizures.

8. Long-Term Management and Quality of Life

   • Understand that managing epilepsy is a lifelong process that requires ongoing adjustments to medications and close monitoring.

   • Explore how to balance effective seizure control with minimizing medication side effects to ensure your dog’s long-term well-being.

Who Should Take This Course?

This course is ideal for pet owners who:

• Have a dog recently diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy.

• Are managing a dog on anti-seizure medications and want to understand treatment options and side effects.

• Need guidance on handling seizure emergencies at home.

• Are considering alternative therapies, such as CBD oil, to complement traditional treatment plans.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will:

• Have a clear understanding of seizures and epilepsy in dogs.

• Know how to work with your veterinarian to create an effective treatment and seizure management plan.

• Be prepared to handle seizure emergencies and understand when to seek veterinary care.

• Understand the potential benefits and risks of alternative therapies, such as CBD oil.

• Feel confident in managing your dog’s epilepsy over the long term, improving their quality of life.

This course provides both the foundational knowledge and the practical tools needed to support your dog through their journey with epilepsy, ensuring they live a happy and healthy life despite their diagnosis.