A true seizure deals with electrical activity within the cerebral cortex of the brain. The problem with diagnosing seizures is that a veterinarian usually isn t examining the horse while it is having a seizure. It is rare that the veterinarian actually sees the seizures, and this usually happens only if the onsets are frequent or perpetual. The causes of seizures are quite varied. Horses do get epilepsy.
Some seizures are a metabolic reaction, characterized by convulsions, which are of a short duration.
The horse needs oxygen and glucose to conduct electrical activity in the brain correctly. Neither is stored in the brain. It is not entirely uncommon for foals to have seizures from metabolic imbalances. The foal can become hypoxemic, suffering lack of oxygen to the brain, and respond with a seizure. Kidneys are the filters of the body.