| | | | | Shih Tzu if you are unsure your Shih Tzu is actually |
| | | | | experiencing seizures. |
| Epilepsy can affect any breed of dog, which includes | | | | |
| our beloved Shih Tzu. There is a higher incidence | | | | There are treatments for epilepsy, but no cure. |
| of epilepsy in pure breed dogs of any size than in | | | | The goal is to control the seizures and prolong the |
| mixed breed dogs. For this reason the condition is | | | | life of the Shih Tzu or other breed of dog afflicted |
| likely to be inherited. | | | | with epilepsy. When left untreated, the disease and |
| | | | | episodes will continue to worsen. |
| What is the main sign of epilepsy in the Shih Tzu or | | | | |
| any dog? Seizures will be your main sign. Seizures | | | | Treatment for epilepsy usually consists of a |
| can be categorized in three ways: | | | | barbiturate like Phenobarbital. This drug can be used |
| | | | | to treat the Shih Tzu or other dog with epilepsy |
| - Intracranial | | | | over the long term, very much like treating epilepsy |
| - Extracranial | | | | in humans. If you know of someone with epilepsy |
| - Seizures of unknown cause | | | | who has to take a barbiturate to control the |
| | | | | seizures, you will also know most of these people |
| Intracranial seizures are the result of detectable | | | | can lead happy and productive lives on the |
| defects like a tumor inside the brain. | | | | medication. This is true also for the canine species. |
| | | | | |
| Extracranial seizures are caused by metabolic or toxic | | | | The general goal of using barbiturates is to either |
| changes outside the brain that affect the brain and | | | | reduce the number of seizures by half or to double |
| cause a seizure. | | | | the time between seizures. It is important to note |
| | | | | the disease will never be cured by the medicine, |
| Seizure of unknown cause is called “idiopathic | | | | however, as stated previously; it can lessen the |
| epilepsy.” | | | | misery of the Shih Tzu or other dog breed and also |
| | | | | prolong its life. How well drugs control epilepsy in |
| If your Shih Tzu is less than one year of age, the | | | | your Shih Tzu depends on each individual case. |
| seizures are likely caused by congenital/genetic | | | | |
| problems, infections or toxins. If your Shih Tzu is | | | | The second choice in drugs for epilepsy in your Shih |
| greater than six years old the seizures are likely | | | | Tzu is to treat with potassium bromide. However, |
| caused by tumors or infectious/inflammatory | | | | this drug does not have FDA approval. It is available |
| problems. If the Shih Tzu between 1 and 5 years of | | | | to treat seizures in dogs by special license only. |
| age is normal between seizure episodes they are | | | | Some veterinary medical schools have this special |
| most likely in the third category of idiopathic epilepsy. | | | | license, and so do some private vets. |
| | | | | |
| Epilepsy is similar to a lightning strike on a house that | | | | Just remember that if your Shih Tzu is diagnosed |
| sends abnormal currents through the normal electrical | | | | with epilepsy there are adequate treatment plans |
| system. | | | | available and it is not a death sentence at all. Proper |
| | | | | treatment is essential. Consult with your vet as |
| It is important to be able to recognize a seizure. | | | | soon as you notice any of the signs of epilepsy so |
| This is often a difficult task for the Shih Tzu pet | | | | he or she can begin an appropriate therapy program |
| owner or any pet owner. Seizures can be so minor | | | | for your Shih Tzu. |
| and show as only slight loss of muscle control that | | | | |
| they can hardly be detected. Seizures in the Shih | | | | Disclaimer: This article is for information only. It |
| Tzu or any dog can also be so severe that the Shih | | | | does not replace the consultation and advice from a |
| Tzu paddles on the ground completely out of | | | | qualified licensed vet or animal care professional. |
| control. The Shih Tzu will be totally unaware of its | | | | Please consult the appropriate professionals for any |
| surroundings and will seem abnormal after the | | | | kind of health problem in your animals. |
| seizure. | | | | |
| | | | | Source: Merck Veterinary Manual, eighth edition |
| If you witness such an episode in your Shih Tzu and | | | | |
| own a video camera, you might try taping the | | | | |
| episode for your vet to see exactly what occurs. | | | | |
| This will help your vet give you a more definitive | | | | This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. |
| explanation or diagnosis of what is going on with the | | | | |