Convulsões in Pets: Causes, First Aid & Long-Term Management
Assistir ao seu animal de estimação convulsionar é assustador. Entender por que as convulsões acontecem e como reagir pode salvar suas vidas.
Uma convulsão é uma explosão repentina e descontrolada de atividade elétrica no cérebro. As convulsões são uma das emergências neurológicas mais comuns na medicina veterinária. Embora seja assustador testemunhar, a maioria das convulsões não representa uma ameaça imediata à vida – embora as convulsões prolongadas exijam intervenção de emergência.
Pontos-chave
- Seizures lasting more than 5 minutes (status epilepticus) are a life-threatening emergency
- Idiopathic epilepsy is the most common cause in dogs aged 1-5 years
- Brain tumors are the leading cause of seizures in dogs over 7 years
- Hypoglycemia, liver disease, and toxins can cause metabolic seizures
- Phenobarbital and potassium bromide are first-line anticonvulsants
- Most epileptic dogs live normal lives with well-controlled seizures
Types of Seizures
Generalized (grand mal) seizures affect the entire brain and body. The pet collapses, becomes unconscious, and has rhythmic paddling movements of the limbs. Urination and defecation often occur. The head may arch backward. Focal (partial) seizures affect only one area — facial twitching, repetitive leg movements, or unusual behavior. Psychomotor seizures cause complex behaviors like fly-biting, chasing the tail, or aggression. Cluster seizures are multiple seizures within 24 hours. Status epilepticus is a continuous seizure lasting more than 5 minutes.
Identifying the Cause
Idiopathic epilepsy is genetic and diagnosed by excluding other causes — common in Beagles, German Shepherds, Border Collies, and Golden Retrievers. Structural brain disease (tumors, strokes, inflammation) is more likely in older dogs. Metabolic causes include hypoglycemia, liver shunts, hypocalcemia, and uremia. Toxic causes include chocolate, xylitol, strychnine, and organophosphates. Infectious causes include distemper, rabies, and toxoplasmosis.
First Aid During a Seizure
Stay calm. Note the start time. Move furniture away to prevent injury. Do NOT put your hand in the pet's mouth — they may bite involuntarily. Turn off lights and minimize noise. Time the seizure. If it lasts more than 5 minutes, or if multiple seizures occur within an hour, seek emergency veterinary care immediately. After the seizure ends, the pet enters the post-ictal phase — disoriented, restless, blind, or hungry. This can last minutes to hours.
Long-Term Management
Daily anticonvulsant medication is needed for dogs with frequent seizures (more than 1 every 2-3 months). Phenobarbital is the most commonly used first-line drug. Potassium bromide is often added if phenobarbital alone is insufficient. Levetiracetam (Keppra) is increasingly popular due to fewer side effects. Zonisamide and diazepam are additional options. Blood levels of phenobarbital are monitored every 6 months. Most epileptic dogs achieve good control and live normal lifespans.
Quando consultar um veterinário imediatamente
- A seizure lasts more than 5 minutes
- Multiple seizures occur within one hour
- This is your pet's first seizure
- Seizures are becoming more frequent or severe
- The post-ictal phase (confusion after seizure) lasts more than 24 hours
Este artigo é apenas para fins educacionais e não substitui o aconselhamento veterinário profissional. Se o seu animal apresentar algum sintoma, entre em contato imediatamente com o Royal Veterinary Center pelo telefone +853 6677 6611.