What Percentage of Dogs Have Seizures?

Epilepsy is a term used to describe recurrent seizures. Seizures most often occur when brain activity is changing, such as when your dog is excited. A seizure could occur for a more serious reason, such as a brain tumor. There are two types of canine epilepsy: idiopathic and acquired. It’s important to contact your veterinarian if your dog is suffering seizures, so your vet can diagnose what type of epilepsy your dog is experiencing, as well as prescribe medications to control the epilepsy.

Idiopathic epilepsy is the most common form of epilepsy and occurs in up to 3 percent of dogs. Although inherited, idiopathic epilepsy may be triggered by kidney failure, brain tumor, toxins or another serious issue. Sometimes, the exact cause of idiopathic epilepsy remains unknown, but your veterinarian can treat the disease.

Unlike idiopathic epilepsy, acquired epilepsy has a recognizable cause, such as an infection or a head injury. Unfortunately, there is no official percentage linked to how many dogs suffer from acquired epilepsy. If your dog has suffered a trauma, and begins to suffer from a seizure, contact your veterinarian right away, as this may be indicative of a more serious problem.