Diagnosis of Seizures in Dogs

There are many procedures that a veterinarian may use to help better understand and diagnose seizures in your dog. Since there are many factors that may contribute to the occurrence of dog seizures, one or many of these diagnostic procedures may need to be performed.

1. Take Notes on your Dog's Seizures

This is actually a very important part of helping your veterinarian to properly diagnose your dog's condition. When your dog is having a seizure, try to observe important details about the situation. Record the last two meals that your dog ate, and any new household products that you may have recently used.

Try to estimate the time in between seizures, and the average number of seizures that your dog has in a day. Be alert for any loud noises that may have caused a seizure-like panic attack in your dog. Also, it's important to note if your dog has had any recent surgery or injuries. Keeping track of these details will allow your veterinarian to properly identify and diagnose your dog's seizures.

2. CBC (Complete Blood Count) and Blood Chemistry Panel

One of the intial tests that a veterinarian may use in diagnosing your dog's seizures is a series of lab tests that analyze your dog's blood. Since there are many medical conditions that may contribute to the occurrence of seizures in your dog, analysis of the blood is absolutely essential.

3. Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Examination

The pathology of the cerebrospinal fluid may help to identify any lesions present in a dog's central nervous system. This can help to ascertain if your dog is suffering from epilepsy, and if there are any abnormalities in the Cerebrospinal fluid.

4. Urinalysis

This test is not always performed in relation to the diagnosis of seizures in dogs. However, if a veterinarian needs more information about your dog's health, they may request an analysis if your dog's urine. This can help in identifying any medical factors that may be contributing to seizures in your dog.

5. Bile Acid Test

This diagnostic test is usually performed when the dog being diagnosed for seizures is fairly young. This is because many young dogs may experience seizures due to a medical condition called a “Liver Shunt”. A liver shunt is a blood vessel that diverts around the liver instead of through it. This may be a defect at birth, or some dogs may develop multiple liver shunts because of certain liver diseases. A dog with a liver shunt may have increased levels of blood bile acid, because the liver in not functioning properly. Liver shunts commonly cause seizures, behavioral abnormalities, and poor muscle development.

6. Brain Imaging Tests

To obtain a positive diagnosis for a condition such as epilepsy, a veterinarian will have to perform a Brain Imaging Test (usually either a CT scan or MRI). However, this test can be extremely expensive, sometimes costing a dog owner upwards of $1500. If this test is not performed, it is only possible to obtain a presumptive diagnosis for epilepsy.