Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Metabolic and toxic causes of canine seizure disorders: A retrospective study of 96 cases.
- Journal:
- Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
- Year:
- 2011
- Authors:
- Brauer, Christina et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery · Germany
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
In a study of 877 dogs with seizure disorders, researchers found that 96 of them had seizures caused by metabolic or toxic issues. The most common reasons for these seizures were poisoning from various substances and low blood sugar levels. Other causes included problems with electrolytes, liver function, thyroid function, and oxygen levels. Notably, low calcium levels were identified in a small number of dogs, all of whom had very low calcium measurements. This study highlights the importance of thoroughly investigating dogs with seizures to determine the right diagnosis and treatment.
Abstract
A wide variety of intoxications and abnormal metabolic conditions can lead to reactive seizures in dogs. Patient records of dogs suffering from seizure disorders (n=877) were reviewed, and 96 cases were associated with an underlying metabolic or toxic aetiology. These included intoxications by various agents, hypoglycaemia, electrolyte disorders, hepatic encephalopathy, hypothyroidism, uraemic encephalopathy, hypoxia and hyperglycaemia. The incidence of the underlying diseases was determined. The most common causes of reactive seizures were intoxications (39%, 37 dogs) and hypoglycaemia (32%, 31 dogs). Hypocalcaemia was the most frequent electrolyte disorder causing reactive seizures (5%) and all five of these dogs had ionised calcium concentrations ≤0.69 mmol/L. Eleven per cent of dogs with seizures had metabolic or toxic disorders and this relatively high frequency emphasises the importance of a careful clinical work-up of cases presented with seizures in order to reach a correct diagnosis and select appropriate treatment options.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19939714/