Idiopathic epilepsy
IEIdiopathic epilepsy is a condition in which dogs have recurrent seizures with no identifiable structural or metabolic cause, presumed to have a genetic basis.
It is the most common cause of seizures in dogs, typically first appearing between six months and six years of age, with higher rates in breeds such as Border Collies, Labrador Retrievers, Beagles and Belgian Shepherds. Seizures are usually generalized, with collapse, stiffening, paddling, drooling and loss of bladder control, followed by a recovery period of disorientation or restlessness. Some dogs experience clusters of seizures within a day.
Diagnosis is one of exclusion: a veterinarian or veterinary neurologist uses bloodwork, and often MRI and spinal fluid analysis, to rule out tumors, infections, toxins and metabolic disease. Lifelong antiseizure medication with regular monitoring is the standard of care, and owners keep seizure diaries. Controlled trials of cannabidiol as an add-on in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy suggest possible reductions in seizure frequency, but responses are inconsistent and questions remain unresolved, so any use is a veterinary decision.