Schnauzers, Basset hounds, Collies, and Cocker spaniels have 2-3 times as much epilepsy as other breeds. Most such tumors are operable if found early. A CAT scan or MRI would be the next step. Special referral is necessary for this type of imaging. For patients where surgery is not an option, corticosteroids may be used to reduce swelling in the brain.
Epilepsy is the name given to seizure disorders for which no cause can be found.
It is not a unique disease in and of itself. The drug of choice is phenobarbital. When isolated seizures occur once a month or more. When special circumstances exist regarding how often the animal is observed. The German Shepherd dog, Golden retriever, Irish setter, or Saint Bernard breeds are notorious for difficulty in seizure control.