Epilepsy has many possible causes

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By Dr. John Koch

Question: What causes epilepsy? Is it inherited?

Answer: Epilepsy may be inherited, but it doesn't necessarily have to be. Beagles, keeshonds and dachshunds sometimes have epilepsy as an inheritable trait. German shepherds, border collies, Irish setters and golden retrievers are suspected as sometimes having inherited epilepsy.

There are reasons other than genetics why a dog may have epilepsy. Developmental or congenital defects such as hydrocephalus (water on the brain) may be a cause. Infections may be a cause. Distemper is a viral infection that may result in seizure activity. Exposure to distemper is much more common today than most people realize. Because of routine use of vaccines, recognizable symptoms of the disease are rare, but brain damage associated with viral contact may still occur. Common parasites such as hookworms and roundworms are known to migrate through brain tissue. The damage could trigger epilepsy.

Various poisons, such as lead, could cause seizures. An example would be dogs that chew on objects that have been covered with a lead-based paint. Certain over-the-counter flea medications having an active ingredient ending in "thrin" have been known to cause seizures. Metabolic diseases, such as hypoglycemia and some liver diseases, may be a cause. Mineral deficiencies, such as calcium, can cause this ailment.

Trauma to the head -- perhaps from being hit by a car -- may produce epileptic activity. Cerebral thromboembolism (the technical term for stroke), hemorrhage within the brain or inflammation of blood vessels to the brain may all be causes of seizures. Cancer is also a possible cause.

If an underlying cause for seizures cannot be found, the attacks are called idiopathic, or primary epilepsy. In private practice, where CT scans and MRI tests are usually not available, most cases of epilepsy wind up being considered idiopathic.

Dr. Koch is a Cape Girardeau-area veterinarian.