My vet has always said, “If there were a poster child for canine epilepsy, it would be a Beagle.” This is a sad fact that every Beagle owner and potential Beagle owner should be aware of. It is a condition that is easily treated and managed but you need to know the signs of this condition and how to properly treat it.

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a disorder that causes frequent seizures. In a seizure your dog will suffer from loss of consciousness and loss of motor control. Seizures are caused by a sudden and drastic change in the electrical activity in the brain.

How do I know if my Beagle is having a seizure and what should I do?

The symptoms of a seizure are often terrifying to see. Your dog will collapse, drool and shake their legs. It looks worse than it is and your dog will generally feel no pain although they will show signs of confusion. Your dog will not swallow their tongue so do not reach into their mouth as you will risk getting bit. Simply keep your dog on the floor until it passes which should be in a few minutes. If it lasts longer than 5 minutes you need to get medical assistance for your dog as they could face the risk of heat stroke.

What should I do after a seizure?

After you notice your dog having a seizure you should make them an appointment at your veterinarians office. Your vet will perform blood tests that can rule out any other causes of seizures  such as brain tumors, cancer, heart problems, etc. Epilepsy is diagnosed by ruling out other possible medical conditions. Just because your Beagle has had a seizure though does not mean your dog has epilepsy.  It is very possible that they will never have one again or that they will occur so infrequently that they do not need treatment. Epileptic dogs are dogs that have them frequently.

How is epilepsy treated?

If your Beagle is not having seizures often your vet will usually prescribe Valium. You will give your animal a Valium after a seizure to prevent cluster seizures from occurring. If your dog is a true epileptic however and has them frequently they will typically be prescribed Phenobarbital. Phenobarbital can cause liver damage however with prolonged treatment so once on this type of therapy your Beagle will need to get their liver enzymes tested regularly.