While alarming to watch, they are seldom painful. Technically, these sporadic, paroxysmal, electric discharges involve diffuse or focal areas of the brain's cortex and result in partial or complete loss of consciousness, or other specific neurological dysfunctions. While rarely life threatening, they are always terrifying. Seizures can occur in any species, but the dog is a more common victim.
Epilepsy is the most frequent diagnosis.
Encephalitis is also common. Canine distemper, for example, can manifest itself in numerous forms and can be seen in young or old dogs. Blood and cerebral spinal fluid tests are invaluable in determining the definitive diagnosis. Bacterial encephalitis can result from an infection in the blood stream or infections extending from the eye, ear or nose. Clinical signs vary from depression, rigidity, and fever, to seizures.