| Epilepsy can affect any breed of dog, which includes | | | | control the seizures and prolong the life of the Shih |
| our beloved Shih Tzu. There is a higher incidence of | | | | Tzu or other breed of dog afflicted with epilepsy. |
| epilepsy in pure breed dogs of any size than in mixed | | | | When left untreated, the disease and episodes will |
| breed dogs. For this reason the condition is likely to be | | | | continue to worsen. Treatment for epilepsy usually |
| inherited. What is the main sign of epilepsy in the Shih | | | | consists of a barbiturate like Phenobarbital. This drug |
| Tzu or any dog? Seizures will be your main sign. | | | | can be used to treat the Shih Tzu or other dog with |
| Seizures can be categorized in three ways: | | | | epilepsy over the long term, very much like treating |
| -Intracranial -Extracranial -Seizures of unknown cause | | | | epilepsy in humans. If you know of someone with |
| Intracranial seizures are the result of detectable | | | | epilepsy who has to take a barbiturate to control the |
| defects like a tumor inside the brain. Extracranial | | | | seizures, you will also know most of these people can |
| seizures are caused by metabolic or toxic changes | | | | lead happy and productive lives on the medication. This |
| outside the brain that affect the brain and cause a | | | | is true also for the canine species. The general goal of |
| seizure. Seizure of unknown cause is called "idiopathic | | | | using barbiturates is to either reduce the number of |
| epilepsy." If your Shih Tzu is less than one year of age, | | | | seizures by half or to double the time between |
| the seizures are likely caused by congenital/genetic | | | | seizures. It is important to note the disease will never |
| problems, infections or toxins. If your Shih Tzu is | | | | be cured by the medicine, however, as stated |
| greater than six years old the seizures are likely | | | | previously; it can lessen the misery of the Shih Tzu or |
| caused by tumors or infectious/inflammatory problems. | | | | other dog breed and also prolong its life. How well |
| If the Shih Tzu between 1 and 5 years of age is | | | | drugs control epilepsy in your Shih Tzu depends on |
| normal between seizure episodes they are most likely | | | | each individual case. The second choice in drugs for |
| in the third category of idiopathic epilepsy. Epilepsy is | | | | epilepsy in your Shih Tzu is to treat with potassium |
| similar to a lightning strike on a house that sends | | | | bromide. However, this drug does not have FDA |
| abnormal currents through the normal electrical system. | | | | approval. It is available to treat seizures in dogs by |
| It is important to be able to recognize a seizure. This is | | | | special license only. Some veterinary medical schools |
| often a difficult task for the Shih Tzu pet owner or any | | | | have this special license, and so do some private vets. |
| pet owner. Seizures can be so minor and show as | | | | Just remember that if your Shih Tzu is diagnosed with |
| only slight loss of muscle control that they can hardly | | | | epilepsy there are adequate treatment plans available |
| be detected. Seizures in the Shih Tzu or any dog can | | | | and it is not a death sentence at all. Proper treatment |
| also be so severe that the Shih Tzu paddles on the | | | | is essential. Consult with your vet as soon as you |
| ground completely out of control. The Shih Tzu will be | | | | notice any of the signs of epilepsy so he or she can |
| totally unaware of its surroundings and will seem | | | | begin an appropriate therapy program for your Shih |
| abnormal after the seizure. If you witness such an | | | | Tzu. Disclaimer: This article is for information only. It |
| episode in your Shih Tzu and own a video camera, | | | | does not replace the consultation and advice from a |
| you might try taping the episode for your vet to see | | | | qualified licensed vet or animal care professional. |
| exactly what occurs. This will help your vet give you a | | | | Please consult the appropriate professionals for any |
| more definitive explanation or diagnosis of what is | | | | kind of health problem in your animals. Source: Merck |
| going on with the Shih Tzu if you are unsure your Shih | | | | Veterinary Manual, eighth edition This article is FREE to |
| Tzu is actually experiencing seizures. There are | | | | publish with the resource box. |
| treatments for epilepsy, but no cure. The goal is to | | | | |