I know that quite a few members have dogs with epilepsy and I wonder if any of you have experience of behavioural changes in the form of increased aggression levels in 'every day life'?  I am aware of 'aggression during seizures'. I am also aware that it is not uncommon for the character of dogs with epilepsy to alter over time and with the increased 'damage' such seizures cause to the brain. I realise that every dog is different and that some will be the same as they have always been - seizures or no seizures.

My question is, in the case of 'aggression' is this something that happens gradually over a period of time (and with increased seizures) or has anyone experience of this change happening 'overnight' so to speak. Can a dog that had a sound temperament/character (before seizures started) turn into a totally different dog in the blink of an eye? Do any of your dogs become noticeably 'aggressive' in the build up to a seizure and if they do, does that subside after an seizure or is it a case of once the aggression appears, it is there for good?

In my experience the main factor is the medication causing a complete change in behaviour, which can take a long time to sort out i.e. get the dosage just right. For my Golden it took a year before his behaviour was back to normal. But then of course you also have to consider the cause of epilepsy, as it is often unknown and COULD potentially be due to a brain tumour.

Thank you Marianne. Did you take any special precautions with your other dogs until you got your boy back onto an even keel? Did you separated them when you were not around to supervise them?

Hi, I dont post very often, but do read a fair bit.  I have a bitch who developed epilepsy at 2yrs, she is now 6yrs.  I agree with Marianne, in my case it was the medication that altered my dogs character until we got the balance right.  The vet described one of the side effects of epiphen as mood swings, which we didn't really consider, we were more concerned about the sedation and the huge impact it had on her for the first few weeks.  The mood swings were apparent to us after the groggy period ended.  They were proper temper tantrums.  She never bit, but if she wanted to do something she wasn't allowed we got a lot of noise and quite a show. This passed naturally as her body adapted to the medication.  The only permanent change is best described by saying she has lost her self control.  It is like having a toddler, if she is hungry she is hungry right now, or if she needs the loo she has to be let out straight away, she cant wait.  this is easy to live with, we just have to be extra careful about her scavenging on walks.

I always separate her from other dogs when left alone in case she has a seizure to protect all dogs from injury.  Hope that helps.

Huge difference in responses then.  My Chihuahua bitch has been on epiphen for literally years.  I only ever got spaced out episodes while we were trying to get the right dose.  She just looked as if she was at Glastonbury with a spliff.

Eventually she started to have heart problems that I'm sure are totally unrelated to her medication.  She is on Vetmedin, Fortekor and Fruisamide.  She started to have seizures more frequently and I asked what we could try to help.  She has been on Libromide now for well in excess of a year and we have had just one seizure.  I hate them, but can cope with that.  The only thing that is caused by Epiphen is her constant scavenging.  I have to be so careful with that.  The last time we went down to the caravan I got back from shopping to find rubbish all over the floor.  I had taken 3 dogs with me, and asked who did this.  They all said not me, but Gemma was wearing the carrier bag round her neck!

I have had no aggression with her in all her years on medication.  Just as daft as she always was really.

Did you take any special precautions with your other dogs until you got your boy back onto an even keel? Did you separated them when you were not around to supervise them?

Yes I did -had a previous epileptic dog of a different breed and knew how bad things could turn. After the first year the current dog was absolutely fine  temperament wise and back to his normal friendly Golden Retriever self. :)

The way the dog copes and reacts seems to vary widely.  Mine is on the highest dose possible of epiphen, libromide and we have just added pexion.  Still get cluster seizures every 3-4 weeks.  The more aggressive epilepsy is possibly linked to higher level of other side effects experienced. My dog is back to being a dream to live with, but does have this lack of self control which is easy to cope with.  For very severe cases as I live with (where vets really can do no more) I found the forum under this link a real life line at times
http://www.canine-epilepsy.net/

Thanks very much for all of your feedback (and also the link Henrieke). I must admit that I am feeling a little overwhelmed by all the problems I am having with my animals at the moment. At times it is hard to know which way to jump, but I appreciate the fact that people here will help if they can. It is also reassuring to know that others have been through (or going through) the same kind of things and have come out the other side. At times, things look so bleak and it helps to hear that there is light at the end of that tunnel and that all is not lost.

When my dog was having seizures (brain tumour) the vet and specialist both warned me to watch out for aggression and to be very careful around him. Fortunately he did stay the perfect dog right up to the end which in some ways made it harder.

Hi Admin

I don't know if this will answer your questions but it might be worth having  a look at the following website:

http://www.hooley-irish-setters.co.uk/menu/health/epilepsy/   She had an epileptic Irish and is passionate about helping those with epileptic dogs. She also gives a link to the Canine Epilepsy Network. 

My dog has recently been diagnosed with epilepsy and he is extremely aggressive when he comes round from his seizure, never before hand.  He is aggressive for around 1-2 hours after each seizure (only had 2) we cannot get near him he doesn't know who he is or more worrying who we are, awful !  we are currently giving him an increased mixture of medication in the hope we can get it under control.  Our vet has advised that it is very rare to have such bad aggression after a seizure for as long as he has.  Its a very bad time :-(

Welcome to the forum Clyde123. I am very sorry to hear about your dog and know exactly how you feel although luckily, my dog is nowhere near this bad - at the moment anyway. He is not himself for varying amounts of time after a seizure (depending on how bad the attack was) and his behaviour is very unpredictable which makes him quite dangerous to be around :( He becomes seriously 'wired' and very strong. He clearly does not know what he is doing or who we are at such times. I did try leaving him out in the garden in a dog run, thinking this would allow him 'cool off' time but he managed to jump the fences! Something he never does normally, so now he is contained in a room which he can not get out of until he returns to normal and we let him out. Not sure how much longer this can go on for really and some hard decisions will need to be made sooner or later. You are not alone anyway and many of us know how you feel. It is horrific.

Wow, as awful as it sounds, its so nice to hear that we are not alone in this ??  Everyone I have spoken to no one really has much experience with the aggression side afterwards ?  Our boy is the same, both times he has been confined in our dog run after the seizure & jumped out (4 ft fence) and luckily managed not to escape over the 6ft fence surrounding our garden ? I have managed to get hold of some 7ft temp herras fencing from work in the hope that he may be secure in the pen and not hurt himself or anyone else.  Fortunately the last 2 he has been in the garden and we have been able to be confirmed in the house so he couldn't get to us or our children (we have 3) but it was so frightening seeing our usual lovable pooch acting like a raving teeth baring snarling crazed dog was heartbraking :-( he must have been through hell. Our vet strongly advised euthanasia after the last seizure a week & a half ago to save anyone getting hurt, but we have decided to go with the higher medication for now, but we still don't know if this will work ?  (a mix of pexion & ephiphen  (he has had an MRI to rule out anything else) as I feel we need to give him a chance but it is hard, hard on him spending a lot of time segregated from us and our other dog & also the affects of the medication.  We haven't walked him as yet as hes very drowsy off the drugs but have to walk him with a muzzle & also muzzle him in the house if the children are around just incase ?  its a bad time, and he hates it, makes you wonder what kind of life you are giving him, makes me feel so mean but I suppose you have to do what is best don't you ?

>its a bad time, and he hates it,

Then he is not a happy dog is he?  Please believe me when I say that I mean this sincerely, I am certainly not being mean.

Sometimes you have to love your dog enough to do the right thing.  By taking away his pain and making it yours. 

Thinking of you.

We are certainly not alone and the benefit of this forum is that sadly, quite a few members have dogs that suffer from this awful condition. I have gained comfort and knowledge from knowing that I am not alone and that there is always someone here that will respond if we need their help. Sometimes you just can't see the wood for the tree's and members are kind enough to help if you need them.

Your dog is much worse than mine Clyde123. I will be honest with you because I would expect no less if I asked for advice. From what you say and if he were mine then I would be calling it a day now and being in a similar situation, I do not say this lightly and know how hard it is. The unpredictable nature of seizures means that he could have one at any time and my worry for you is that if he has one when he is with your children, then the consequences could be dire. I do not have children at home, so that is one less risk for me but if I did, then it is a no brainer. Like you say, the saddest thing of all is he is a lovely dog when not kicking off and this is what makes the decision so very hard. But I agree with JeanSW, he isn't a happy dog and what makes it even worse is the knowledge that we can not help him and it is only going to get worse. It is not your fault and you clearly love your dog and want what is best, but your kids must come first.

Thank you I really do appreciate your replies it may come to that and we are ready. His first seizures were 8 weeks apart so I am hoping they are not too often and we can control it on the medication we have said we will give him a chance but if it happens again the same we will be left with no choice.  We are being very strict to ensure he is never left alone with our children or other dog and so far it's going ok! He's happy when he's around us and allowed to wander to his own accord. So I suppose only time will tell? I'm just hoping the tablets do the trick and manage this awful condition x