Seizures may start focal and then become generalized. Information about where the seizure activity begins is of value in localization of the seizure focus to one side of the brain. The seizure focus is the point in the brain from which the seizure begins. There are numerous metabolic diseases that can result in seizures. Primary brain cancers originate in the brain whereas secondary cancers develop when cells from cancers outside the brain are carried to the brain in the blood.
Idiopathic epilepsy is a seizure disorder without obvious cause.
Therefore, a dog that begins having seizures at 9 years of age does not have idiopathic epilepsy. Certain breeds of dogs are known or thought to have an increased incidence of idiopathic epilepsy such as beagles, Belgian Tervurens, German shepherds, keeshonds, and collies. High incidence breeds include the Saint Bernard, German shepherd, golden retriever, Irish setter, American cocker spaniel, Wire-haired fox terriers, Alaskan malamutes, Siberian Huskies, and miniature poodles. To search for an extracranial cause for seizures, a metabolic evaluation is performed. The evaluation may include a complete physical examination, blood tests and sometimes x-rays.