Seizure Medicine for Dog

While looking up information online about seizure medicine for dogs I came across this comprehensive and helpful list of terminology related to dog seizures and seizure medicine for dogs.

AED: Anti-epileptic drug. Also called anticonvulsant or antiseizure drugs. Examples would be phenobarbital and potassium bromide.

Allopathy: The traditional approach to treatment that most veterinarians practice; treating the disease by suppressing its symptoms or attempting to destroy the microbes associated with the condition; the opposite of homeopathy. Sometimes called the Western approach.

Aura: A sensation or warning that a seizure is about to occur. See Pre-ictal.

Ictus (Ictal): The actual seizure.

Idiopathic Epilepsy: Seizures for which there is no known cause. Also called primary, inherited, genetic or true epilepsy.

Inter-ictal: The time period between seizures.

Generalized Seizure: Also called Tonic-Clonic seizures. If the whole brain is involved in the seizure, it is a generalized seizure. Can be Grand Mal or Mild, but are usually associated with primary epilepsy.

Nonepileptic Seizures: Seizures that can be identified as either nonneurogenic (ie: cardiac, metabolic disturbances, recurrent abdominal problems) and neurogenic (ie: narcolepsy, vestibular disease, myasthenia gravis) in origin.

Post-ictal: The period after a seizure. Can last for minutes or days. The dog can be temporarily blind, restless, confused, disoriented, confused. Sometimes this is the only indication that the dog has had a seizure.

Pre-ictal: The period prior to the start of the seizure. Sometimes called aura. Some of the signs are restlessness, nervousness, whining, trembling, salivation, affection, wandering, hiding, hysterical running and apprehension.

Focal Seizures. Also called partial seizures. These seizures affect a part of the brain and thus just a part of the body -- like the flicking of an ear. Focal seizures are more likely from secondary epilepsy than primary.