Old Dog Seizures Possible Causes

If your old dog is suddenly experiencing seizures that never happened when they where young, it is often times a result of other conditions like the following:

1. Brain tumor - Brain tumors often develop later in a dog’s life. Both cancerous tumors (otherwise known as Neoplasia) and non-cancerous tumors can cause your dog to have a seizure, as they put pressure on the brain. If your older dog is having a seizure for the first time, it may be an indicator that a tumor is present. Other symptoms that may happen include a loss of vision and motor coordination. If your vet suspects your dog has a brain tumor, he will most likely recommend diagnostic tests like an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or CAT (computed axial topography). Anti-convulsant medications will not control seizures caused by a tumor.

2. Kidney disease - Like heart disease in humans, kidney disease in dogs is the main cause of “dying of old age” in dogs. In the advance stages of kidney disease, seizures can present themselves. Dogs that have a buildup of toxins in the blood or high levels of acidity due to kidney disease can also experience seizures.

3. Diabetes - if a dog with diabetes has a seizure, it's usually due to an insulin overdose not because the condition has been left untreated. Diabetes that is left untreated will cause stupor or coma, not seizures.

4. Cushing's Disease - While Cushing's Disease (also known as hyperadrenocorticism) is not typically a direct cause of seizures, some of the circumstances surrounding the condition can lead to seizures. In most cases, Cushing's Disease is caused by a lesion in the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. The majority of these tumors are microscopic in size, however there are cases where larger tumors (known as macroadenoma) can sometimes get big enough to put pressure on the brain and cause seizures.

What to do if your dog has a seizure

The first thing to do is to prevent your dog from injuring himself. Dogs can either experience a single convulsion (usually lasting for a minute or two, and doesn't happen again for at least 24 hours) or multiple, continuous convulsions. The latter is most serious and requires immediate veterinary attention. In the case of continuous convulsions, you should gently restrain the dog so it can't injure itself by placing a towel over it. Don't put your hand on the dog or in or near its mouth - you may get bitten. Once you've restrained the dog, get to the vet immediately.


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