Spasms in a dog are called involuntary muscle contractions. Their appearance always scares the owner of the animal. Seizures indicate a serious dysfunction in the body of the pet. Muscle contractions themselves are not dangerous, but this can be a sign of pathologies. Most often, this symptom is associated with diseases of the central nervous system, but can also be observed with other canine ailments.
Types and causes of seizures
The muscles of the animal are divided into smooth and striated. Smooth muscles cover the internal organs, their contraction leads to cramping, which is accompanied by pain. The striated muscles surround the bones. Involuntary contractions of this type of muscle are called cramps, they are noticeable externally, in contrast to spasms of internal organs.
There are several types of involuntary contractions of skeletal muscle:
- Tonic cramps. In an animal, muscles periodically twitch at regular intervals. Muscle contraction is quite strong, it occurs slowly and is accompanied by painful sensations. With muscle tension, the dog can whine and howl, the animal is fully conscious. Tonic cramps do not pose a great danger, however, they can talk about some problems with the health of the pet.
- Clonic cramps. Muscles tighten and relax. During the attack, the animal falls. The interval between muscle contractions is very short - from 30 seconds to 1.5 minutes. During this interval, the dog may try to stand up, but a new convulsive seizure makes it fall back down to the ground.
- Convulsions. These are weak muscle twitches. They are not accompanied by pain. This phenomenon is observed quite often. At the same time, the dog is fully conscious and responds to the owner’s commands.
- Epileptic seizures. This type of involuntary muscle contraction is the most dangerous. The dog loses consciousness. The muscles are almost constantly tense, relaxation occurs only for a few seconds. In this case, the eyes of the animal may be open.
The causes of seizures in dogs can be different. Most often, involuntary contractions of skeletal muscle are associated with the following pathologies:
- poisoning;
- infectious diseases (distemper, tetanus, rabies);
- hypoglycemia;
- postpartum eclampsia in a nursing dog;
- injuries to the skull or spinal column;
- helminthic invasion;
- metabolic disorders;
- large load on the legs;
- internal illnesses;
- vitamin deficiency and mineral deficiency.
Next, the most common causes of seizures in animals will be considered.
Leg cramps
Sometimes the owner notices that the dog has a claw. In this case, convulsions are observed only in the limb region. Such muscle cramps are always painful for the animal. The dog may whine, but as soon as the cramps pass, the pet calms down.
If such a symptom is noted during a long walk, then the cause of this may be an excessive load on the paws. In this case, convulsions are not associated with the disease. It is enough to give the animal a rest, as cramps quickly pass.
The hind legs in a dog often reduce with a deficiency of calcium in the body. The lack of this element is formed after illness or during estrus. In such cases, the animal should be shown to the veterinarian. The pet will be prescribed calcium supplements. It is also necessary to review the diet of the animal.
Eclampsia
Eclampsia is a common cause of seizures in dogs. Recently born animals, less often pregnant, suffer from this violation. This disease is associated with a critical drop in blood calcium, with cramping in the hind legs. The head of the animal is thrown back, and the limbs are tense and elongated. Most often, the pathology develops in small dogs. First, trembling of the extremities occurs, which develops into convulsions. This is accompanied by fever, vomiting, shortness of breath, anxiety. If convulsions have occurred in a recently born or pregnant dog, then you must urgently consult a veterinarian. Eclampsia is a dangerous pathology that, without treatment, can result in coma and death.
Hypoglycemia
With this disease, the glucose level in the body drops sharply. The pathology may be hereditary or may arise due to the introduction of an excess dose of insulin in an animal with diabetes mellitus. More often such convulsions appear in dogs of small breeds or in small puppies. In this case, the animal becomes lethargic, weak, loses its appetite, it has trembling throughout the body. Pathology is characterized by a deterioration in the nutrition of the brain and can lead to severe coma.
Injury and poisoning
Cramps in dogs are often observed with falls and bruises. Especially dangerous are injuries to the head and back, as there is a risk of damage to the brain and spinal cord. Muscle spasms occur due to compression of the parts of the central nervous system by a hematoma. Seizures after injury are a dangerous sign that requires emergency veterinary care.
Dog cramps also occur with lead intoxication, insecticides, and household chemicals. This is not always accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms, unlike food poisoning. Sometimes the only sign of intoxication is neurological manifestations.
Many medicines for humans can be deadly to animals. Such drugs include Isoniazid, which doctors prescribe for tuberculosis. In a dog, this medication can cause fatal poisoning with convulsive attacks and paresis of the respiratory muscles.
Infectious diseases
Sometimes it is difficult for the owner to understand why the dog has cramps. And such manifestations can be one of the first signs of dangerous infectious diseases.
The worst infectious disease is rabies. Unfortunately, there is no cure for it, and the animal has to be euthanized. A sick dog is extremely dangerous to others. Seizures in rabies are accompanied by the release of foam from the mouth, aggressive behavior, high temperature. Then the stage of excitement is replaced by paralysis, coma and death. The only salvation from this disease is vaccination.
Tetanus in animals is also a very dangerous disease. It occurs when contaminated wounds with soil particles. Sometimes a long period of time passes between traumatization and the manifestations of the disease. In dogs, the incubation period is long, as they are resistant to tetanus toxin. Strong muscle tension and cramps are the first signs of the disease. Muscle spasms are so strong that bone crunch is heard during an attack. The gait is disturbed in the animal; it cannot drink and eat. With this disease, mortality is about 80%.
Plague in dogs is also accompanied by seizures resembling an epileptic seizure. The animal begins to drag its hind legs. In addition, the pet's temperature rises sharply, vomiting and diarrhea are observed, as well as a runny nose with purulent discharge.
Epilepsy
Epileptic seizures in dogs always begin with intense arousal. The animal looks scared, whines and hides from others. Then the pet faints. Clonic muscle spasms, foam from the mouth, involuntary urination and defecation begin. The attack lasts about 5 minutes.
After a seizure, residual effects persist. The dog is disoriented, saliva is separated from it, confusion is noted. Often after an attack of epilepsy, the pet falls asleep.
Animal breed
Some breeds of dogs are prone to convulsive seizures. For example, Scottish and German shepherds, as well as beagles, are susceptible to epilepsy. In Lhasa apso, convulsions often occur due to congenital smoothing of the convolutions of the brain (lissencephaly). In ornamental breeds, such symptoms may be associated with hypoglycemia or hydrocephalus.
Scottish terriers often have a hereditary neuromuscular disease called scottie crump. With nervous excitement or during training in the animal, the facial muscles begin to contract and the back flexes, making breathing more difficult. This phenomenon is observed only in dogs of this breed. The exact cause of this syndrome is unknown, veterinarians suggest that this is due to excessive secretion of serotonin.
Dog gender
Males are more prone to epilepsy than females. Therefore, they must be protected from stress and excessive excitement. Females are more likely to suffer cramps due to a lack of calcium, especially during estrus, pregnancy, and feeding puppies. It is necessary to carefully monitor their diet, and if necessary, give animals preparations with this element.
Pet age
In puppies, convulsions are most often associated with poisoning, diseases of the central nervous system, metabolic disorders or congenital pathologies. In dogs of young and middle age, this symptom occurs mainly due to epilepsy. Elderly animals suffer from seizures due to tumors, impaired liver and kidney function, as well as endocrine pathologies.
First aid for cramps
What to do with cramps in a dog? First of all, the pet should be taken and placed in a quiet, calm place. A few drops of Corvalol should be applied to the tongue. Then you need to measure the temperature of the pet and visit the veterinarian as soon as possible. It is impossible to identify the cause of the appearance of such a symptom and conduct treatment on your own at home.
In an epileptic seizure, the animal needs to be wrapped in warm tissue and taken to a veterinarian rather. Do not put objects in the dog's mouth to protect the tongue from biting. This can lead to even greater injuries. It is enough to hold the pet's head so that it does not hurt. Extra touch with epilepsy is undesirable, as this can lead to a new attack. In addition, when you try to open your jaw with your hands during cramps, the dog can cause a serious bite.
For cramps caused by physical exertion or prolonged walking, dog paw massage can help. You need to take the limb of the animal and grind it with three fingers. In this case, you should make circular movements. Then repeat the procedure on another paw. Massage should be done if cramps affect only the legs and are not associated with eclampsia.
Diagnostics
Only a veterinarian can determine the cause of seizures. The animal needs to undergo a series of diagnostic procedures. With complaints of involuntary muscle contractions, the specialist prescribes the following examinations:
- blood tests, urine and feces;
- X-ray examination (for injuries);
- Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity;
- MRI of the brain.
A veterinarian who specializes in neurological diseases is also needed.
How to treat cramps
The treatment for seizures in dogs depends on the etiology of this symptom. First of all, the therapy of the underlying disease is carried out. Then, special anticonvulsants for animals are prescribed.
Seizure medication should not be given to a dog without the recommendation of a veterinarian. All these drugs are strictly prescription and should be prescribed by a specialist. Quite often, “Phenobarbital” is prescribed. This is a sedative and sleeping pill that is part of Corvalol and Valocordin. It also has an anticonvulsant effect.
The drug "Primidon" is also used. In the body, it is converted to phenobarbital. This tool reduces the activity of epileptic foci.
The appointment of "Phenobarbital" and "Primidon" does not help all pets. Some animals need complex therapy and the use of the diazepam benzodiazepine tranquilizer. But such a medicine helps only directly during an attack. It can not be used as the main tool for therapy. However, it is useful to have Diazepam with you when walking, if the pet is prone to cramps. If this drug is prescribed by a doctor, then it can be used as an ambulance for a seizure.