Dog Breeds Most Prone to Seizures: What Every Owner Should Know

Seizures can be a terrifying experience for any dog owner to witness. One minute your beloved pup seems perfectly fine, and the next they‘re shaking uncontrollably, losing consciousness, and even foaming at the mouth. But for some dog breeds, seizures are an all too common reality.

While any dog can potentially have a seizure, research shows that certain breeds have a much higher risk of developing seizure disorders like epilepsy. So which breeds are most prone to seizures? As a veterinarian and dog lover, I‘m here to break down the latest facts and statistics.

But first, let‘s cover some seizure basics. Seizures occur when there is a sudden, uncontrolled surge of electrical activity in the brain. This can cause physical symptoms like collapsing, jerking, stiffening, loss of consciousness, drooling, chomping, and even loss of bowel or bladder control.

Seizures can be caused by many things, from eating something toxic to brain tumors. But for certain breeds, an inherited condition called idiopathic epilepsy is often to blame. With idiopathic epilepsy, seizures occur repeatedly with no identifiable cause.

Now, let‘s look at some of the latest research on seizure statistics in different dog breeds. A 2017 study in the journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine analyzed the veterinary records of over 2.5 million dogs in the UK to determine which breeds had the highest incidence of seizures.

Top 15 Dog Breeds Most Prone to Seizures

According to the study, the breeds with the highest seizure incidence were:

1. Pug – 1.91%
2. Boxer – 1.79%
3. Basset Hound – 1.77%
4. Border Terrier – 1.56%
5. Border Collie – 1.44%
6. Beagle – 1.38%
7. Irish Wolfhound – 1.35%
8. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – 1.30%
9. Standard Poodle – 1.28%
10. English Bulldog – 1.19%
11. Labrador Retriever – 1.14%
12. Chihuahua – 1.13%
13. Miniature Schnauzer – 1.09%
14. Staffordshire Bull Terrier – 1.08%
15. Golden Retriever – 1.07%

To put those numbers in perspective, the overall average seizure incidence across all breeds was 0.62%. So Pugs, for example, were over 3 times more likely to have a seizure compared to the average dog.

Several other smaller studies have found similar results, with many of the same breeds topping the lists of highest seizure incidence. Short-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds like Pugs, Boxers, and Bulldogs seem especially vulnerable.

Breed-Specific Factors

So why are these particular breeds so seizure-prone? Let‘s take a closer look at some of the potential reasons for a few key breeds:

Pugs

As a brachycephalic breed, Pugs are prone to numerous structural abnormalities and health issues related to their flat faces. This includes an extremely high risk for seizures and a unique condition called Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE).

PDE is an inflammatory brain disease that occurs almost exclusively in Pugs. It causes seizures, circling, blindness, and often death. The exact cause is unknown but it‘s thought to be hereditary.

Border Collies

Border Collies and other herding breeds are prone to various neurological issues, which may explain their higher seizure risk. One disorder common in Border Collies is Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome (TNS).

With TNS, border collie puppies have a gene mutation that impairs their immune system and causes lesions and inflammation in the central nervous system. Seizures are often one of the first signs of TNS.

Border collies are also one of the breeds most prone to having a mutated MDR1 gene. This gene regulates a protein that removes drugs and toxins from the brain. Dogs with the MDR1 mutation can have severe adverse reactions to common drugs, triggering tremors and seizures.

Labrador Retrievers

Labs are one of the most popular breeds, so it‘s not too surprising they made the list given their sheer numbers. However, a 2015 study identified a gene mutation in Labs that may explain their seizure risk.

Researchers found that 31% of Labs carry a mutated gene called ADAM23 that increases the risk of idiopathic epilepsy. Dogs with two copies of the mutated gene were 7 times more likely to have epilepsy than those without it.

Other Risk Factors for Seizures

While genetics and breed seem to play a big role in seizure risk, there are many other potential causes dog owners should be aware of. Some other major risk factors include:

• Age – Seizures can develop at any age, but dogs between 1-5 years or over 10 have the highest risk, especially for idiopathic epilepsy.

• Head injuries – Severe head trauma from accidents or abuse can cause brain damage and seizures.

• Liver/kidney disease – When the liver or kidneys aren‘t functioning properly, toxins can build up and cross into the brain, causing seizures.

• Low blood sugar – Small breeds like Yorkies and puppies are prone to hypoglycemic seizures if their blood sugar drops too low.

• Tick-borne diseases – Infections from ticks can sometimes cause inflammation in the brain leading to seizures.

• Brain tumors – Both cancerous and benign tumors in the brain can trigger seizures as they grow and put pressure on surrounding brain tissue.

• Toxins – Ingesting toxins like caffeine, chocolate, xylitol, ethylene glycol, lead, or certain human medications can all potentially cause seizures.

Signs of Seizures in Dogs

So how can you tell if your dog is having a seizure? The symptoms aren‘t always obvious, especially if a seizure occurs while you‘re not home.

Some of the most common signs of seizures in dogs include:

• Collapsing
• Muscle twitching or jerking
• Stiffening
• Loss of consciousness
• Foaming at the mouth
• Drooling
• Chomping/chewing
• Tongue chewing
• Paddling/running motions
• Vocalizing (barking, whining)
• Loss of bowel/bladder control

Seizures can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. It‘s common for dogs to be confused, disoriented, restless, or tired for some time after the seizure ends.

What to Do If Your Dog Has a Seizure

Watching your dog have a seizure is scary, but try to stay calm. Here are the key steps to take:

1. Keep yourself safe – A seizing dog may bite without meaning to, so don‘t put your hands near its mouth.

2. Time the seizure – If possible, use your phone or watch to time how long the seizure lasts. This info will be helpful for your vet.

3. Prevent injury – Move objects away from your dog so it doesn‘t accidentally hurt itself. Avoid moving your dog unless it‘s in danger.

4. Don‘t restrain – You may want to comfort your dog, but resist the urge to hold it down, which could cause injury or make the seizure worse.

5. Keep away from other pets – If you have other pets, keep them in a separate room so they don‘t distress your seizing dog.

6. Clean up calmly – If your dog loses bladder or bowel control, calmly clean up any mess without fussing over your dog which could stress it more.

Once the seizure is over, let your dog rest in a quiet, comfortable area. When they‘re back to normal, contact your vet to let them know what happened.

If a seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, or your dog has multiple seizures in a row, it‘s an emergency. Head to the closest animal hospital right away, as this could be potentially life-threatening.

Treating Seizures in Dogs

If your dog is diagnosed with a seizure disorder, don‘t panic. With proper treatment and monitoring, most dogs with idiopathic epilepsy live full, happy lives.

There are several anti-seizure medications that can help control the frequency and severity of your dog‘s seizures. The most common are phenobarbital, potassium bromide, zonisamide, and levetiracetam. Your vet can determine which drug and dosage is best for your dog‘s specific needs.

It‘s important to give anti-seizure meds regularly as prescribed and not discontinue them without your vet‘s guidance. Regular check-ups and blood tests are also key to make sure the medications are working properly without any negative side effects.

For some dogs, other treatments like dietary changes, supplements, or even surgery may be recommended depending on the underlying cause of the seizures. Work closely with your vet to find the best management plan.

Reducing Seizure Risk in Prone Breeds

If you have a breed that‘s genetically prone to seizures, you may be wondering if there‘s anything you can do to lower the risk. While you can‘t change your dog‘s genes, you can follow some general guidelines to support their neurological health:

• Feed a high-quality, balanced diet
• Avoid feeding table scraps which may contain harmful ingredients
• Keep toxic items like human food/meds, cleaning products, pesticides, etc. out of reach
• Have your dog vaccinated and kept on regular flea/tick preventatives
• Make sure your dog gets regular check-ups to catch any underlying health issues early
• Provide mental stimulation with training, play, and exercise
• Minimize stress which can be a seizure trigger for some dogs
• Be extra cautious with brachycephalic breeds in hot weather and don‘t over-exercise them

If you‘re considering getting a puppy from a seizure-prone breed, it‘s a good idea to investigate the health history of the parents and bloodline. Responsible breeders will conduct genetic testing and avoid breeding dogs with a known history of seizures.

The Future of Canine Epilepsy Research

The latest research on canine epilepsy is providing hope for better diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of this challenging condition. Scientists are working to identify more breed-specific genetic mutations that can cause epilepsy.

There are also clinical trials underway for new anti-seizure drugs, alternative therapies, and even gene therapies that could potentially correct the mutations that cause certain types of epilepsy.

While we can‘t currently cure epilepsy, a combination of scientific advances and attentive care from owners and vets alike can help our beloved canine companions live their happiest, healthiest lives.

If your dog is one of the breeds prone to seizures, don‘t let it stop you from sharing many joyful years together. Stay informed, work with your vet, and treasure every moment with your precious pup.