2. Seizure
• Seizure defined as the physical manifestation
of an abnormal balance between excitatory
and inhibitory tone in central nervous system
• Terms used by clients: epilepsy, fit, convulsion
triakoso 2014
3. Basic Catagories
• Focal (partial)
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Localized area of neuronal dysfunction
Usually acquired
Psycomotor seizure (hallucinations/fly bitting)
Unilateral, stereotypical or bizzare behavior
Simple partial : no loss conciousness
Complex partial : altered mentation, or loss of conciousness
• General
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Loss of conciousness
Tonic, clonic, myoclonic activity
Absence of local signs
Classify :
• Presence of violent muscular activity (grand mal seizure)
• Absence of such activity (petit mal seizures)
triakoso 2014
4. Seizure Classification and Causes
Structural Epileptic Seizure
Reactive Epileptic Seizure
Primary Epileptic Seizure
Congenital : hydrocephalus
Hypoglycemia
Unknown Cause
Hereditary : lysosomal storage
disease
Hyperammonemia
Common age : >1 but <5 years
Toxin
Neoplasia : primary or metastatic
Electrolyte dearrangement
Common breeds : Poodle, Beagle,
German shepherd, Retrievers
Hypertension
Infectious : viral, bacterial, tick
borne, fungal, protozoal, parasitic
Polycytemia
Coagulopathy
Inflammatory : Pug dog encephalitis,
granulomatous meningoencephalitis,
necrotizing encephalitis of Maltese
and Yorkshire Terriers
Trauma
Vascular or Thromboembolic
triakoso 2014
5. Differentiating Seizure from Syncope
Syncope
Precipitating event/timing Exercise, excitement, stress, cough,
Seizure (generalized)
Often at rest or on walking
urination, defecation
Pre event
Acute weakness, staggering,
vocalisation
Anxiety, attention-seeking
Event
Usually flaccid limb but maybe rigid
Jaw motion, hypersalivation, tonicclonic limb motion or limb rigidity
Duration less than 1 minute
Duration often greater than 1 minute
Rarely urination/defecation
Urination and/or defecation
Usually retain conciousness, but may
lose conciousness
Loss of conciousness
Abnormal heart rhythm or rate may
or may not be palpated/auscultated
Often sinus tachycardia
Rapid recovery
Slow recovery, prolonged post-event
disorientation
Post event
triakoso 2014