Health Condition:

A seizure is an external manifestation of an intermittent massive electrical abnormality in the brain. Seizures that are caused by demonstrable diseases are best called acquired; those seizures for which no cause can be determined are know as secondary seizures. Secondary Seizures are categorized as idiopathic and are the most common form. Typically, they begin between the ages of six months and five years.

What is a seizure?

Any of the listed affectations can occur alone or in combination, depending on what parts of the brain have been involved:

Behavioral changes
Disorientation
Hallucination
Hysteria
Momentary/complete loss of consciousness
Fixed expression
Stiffening and rigidity
Muscle spasms
Rapid heartbeat
Twitching
Paddling
Salivation
Urination
Defecation
Vomiting

How the PWDCA is addressing this:

Because we do not know if this is hereditary, we are currently collecting data and pedigrees. We need to learn what types of seizures PWD's have. We know we have epilepsy but because there are lots of kinds of seizures, we just need to start by documenting what we can. Possibly down the road this data will be of use to researchers to help us in eliminating this problem.

Why the PWDCA is addressing this:

Seizures have been found to be hereditary in other breeds. We need to learn as much as we can about this in the PWD so that we can breed better health in our dogs.

How the PWDCA is dealing with this:

We are keeping records (confidential if requested) of all dogs reported having a seizure, multiple seizures or known Epileptic dogs.

Current status as of January 2004:

We have 18 dogs reported to the committee and an additional 12 dogs that are shown in the the health registry.

Other Important References - articles, books, websites:

"Seizures and Epilepsy in Dogs", By Dr. A Parker

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Last Edited: October 24, 2007