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