Convulsions and fits are terms used synonymously and signify a sudden seizure, loss of consciousness, Involuntary, spasmodic contractions of the muscles of the body, foaming at the mouth, followed by stupor.

Convulsions among dogs, and more especially in early life, are of frequent occurrence. Epilepsy is the more common term used among writers on canine diseases to designate these attacks; it should more properly be restricted to those purely functional in character, that is, not necessarily attended with either inflammation or appreciable disease of structure, and distinguished by a chronic course and unexpected recurrence.

Convulsions do not represent any single form of disease. Among the number of morbid conditions which may induce them some are determinable, others are obscure, and of them we possess little positive knowledge.

Causation

Predisposition plays a prominent part in the production of numerous forms of convulsion; it may be inherited, or acquired through the action of various conditions and diseases.

Nervous disorders are more easily generated in some breeds of dogs than in others, and in-breeding among such cannot lessen the liability. General debility, changes in the blood, age, and diseases incident to parturition, appear strongly to favor a predisposition.

Among the exciting causes may be mentioned worms, the eruption of the teeth, over exertion, intense heat, fear, anger, and witnessing other convulsions. Prof. Dalton has related the following illustration of the effect of imitation in the canine race. A dog, not previously affected with epilepsy, was in company with another dog which was subject to the affection; the latter being seized with a convulsion, the former immediately afterward had a similar attack.

Among the causes exciting convulsions may be mentioned numerous poisons, strychnine,etc.; injuries to the brain and spine; in fact very many irritations and inflammations in different parts of the body, and derangements and diseases of the internal organs may give rise to the affection.

Symptoms

Convulsions come on abruptly and without symptoms indicative of their onset. If the dog is at exercise, he stops suddenly, remains for an instant fixed to the spot as it were, his legs tremble, uttering a short, sharp cry or a low moan he falls, possibly attempts to rise again, again falls, becomes unconscious, and convulsive movements at once begin. More often they are at first what are termed tonic spasms, that is a persistent and uniform muscular contraction of great intensity, lasting usually for a few seconds, followed by spasms for which the name clonic is given. By this it is understood a rapid succession of contractions and relaxations of the muscles, by means of which the body is kept in a state of continual and very active movement. The head, the limbs, and the body Jerk violently; the tongue is sometimes caught between the teeth and bitten; the movements of the Jaws are accompanied with a foamy saliva, frequently tinged with blood from the wounded tongue. Respiration during the tonic spasm is arrested, and is irregular and incomplete while the active convulsion exists; in consequence the mucous membrane becomes livid and congested.

A convulsion may be slight or severe and prolonged. As the paroxysm ends the animal draws a deep, long sigh, and if the attack is epileptic he then soon recovers consciousness, and is moving about as though nothing unusual had occurred. In some cases the unfortunate passes into a state of profound stupor, in which he remains a variable period. Gradually consciousness returns, he makes several attempts to rise, reels about for a few steps in a bewildered manner, grows steadier, and is soon himself or much improved. In very rare cases he will appear delirious, and rush wildly away or towards those about him.

Prognosis

Since convulsions cannot be considered as representative of any single form of disease, and they relate to many morbid conditions differing from each other so widely, unless the cause is known which induces them, a prognosis cannot be made.

In epilepsy the paroxysms recur after intervals extremely variable. When worms cause an attack, their removal promises a cure. The so-called suckling fits are due to exhaustion and disappear when strength returns. Convulsions occurring in distemper from brain irritation almost invariably prove a fatal symptom. The same may be said when they appear in disease of the kidneys, and as the result of poisons. Teething fits sometimes end fatally bat are more often recovered from.

In a general way it may bo said the prognosis is favorable when the causes are of a simple nature and easily removed.

Treatment

During a convulsion the animal should be secured to prevent his running away if delirious on recovery. The object of treatment then is to cool the head and keep the body warm, thereby drawing the blood from the brain. Bathing the head with cold water will generally prove quite sufficient. After the convulsive movements cease if he is inclined to sleep, allow him to remain undisturbed.

In every case the primary cause should be sought for, and efforts be made to effect its removal. If poison is suspected, proper treatment will be found advised elsewhere. If the convulsion is prolonged, the injection of the hydrate of chloral recommended in strychnine poisoning should be given. Generally where spasms are connected with diseases or derangements of different organs, the existence of such disorders will have been manifested by previous symptoms, and their cure is demanded.

The treatment of general predisposition should be tonic and applied to the nervous system. The oxide of zinc in two grain doses twice daily is a reliable agent, and should be persisted in to secure a full effect. Overfeeding, plethora, want of exercise, worms, etc., suggest a change in management and the needed medication.