Epilepsy is a symptom of an underlying neurologic dysfunction occurring within the brain.
Toxic substances, metabolic or electrolyte abnormalities or imbalances cause an uncoordinated firing of the neurons located within the section of the brain known as the cerebrum. These epidisodes of uncoordinated firing manifest themselves in the form of convulsions or seizures in which the dog may experience mild tremors to severe thrashing movements. Epilepsy may occur secondary to many diseases such as distemper, brain tumors, liver or heart failure, diabetes, or as a result of exposure to toxic substances or trauma. As such, from a clinical standpoint, in cases of true epilepsy, only the symptom is treatable. There are three components of an epileptic seizure.