IF you have a PUG and it twitches in its sleep, IT IS NOT CUTE.. it is a FOCAL SEIZURE…
I have a 12 year old pug who means the world to me and about 2 years ago was diagnosed with pug encephalitis. I feel lucky that Roxie has lived as long as she has with this, more than likely, congenital disease. People on YouTube continuously post “CUTE” videos of their pugs “DREAMING” and “TWITCHING” and this I find alarming. Number one, if your dog is twitching in its sleep it is called a FOCAL SEIZURE.. seizures aren’t CUTE. They are an indication that there is something not right in the brain of your dog and it could remain the same and only manifest itself in twitches, or it could escalate into Grand Mal Seizures and then you have problems and may need daily medication to control them. Please if one person reads this and learns from it, I will be happy that someone no longer finds focal seizures cute and think the dog is having a dream!
The other main type of seizure is a focal motor seizure which is a much less dramatic occurrence. A focal motor seizure will cause just a repeated twitching movement in either the face or limbs and usually only lasts a few seconds. These type of seizures may often go unnoticed especially if they involve fairly innocuous movements like swallowing.
Seizures and Epilepsy in pets
Seizures occur because of a change in the electrical activity of the brain. This can be caused by a variety of things including diseases of the nervous system and the brain itself such as epilepsy. Seizures may also be the result of a blow to the head, chemicals, poisons, fever and even nutrient deficiencies such as calcium deficiency in nursing mothers.
What is the conventional treatment for seizures?
Treatment for seizures is directed at the underlying cause or disease in cases where this is known. Anti-epileptic drugs such as Phenobarbital are commonly used to prevent seizures which are severe or occur frequently.
When should I consult my pets veterinarian?
It is important to seek medical care for your pet if he/she has more than one seizure per month, has changed behavior in between the seizures (Excluding the Post-ictal period directly after the seizure) or becomes generally lethargic, has difficulty in walking or refuses food.
