How are Seizure Disorders in Dogs Diagnosed?
The diagnostic work-up of a dog experiencing seizures may include: • a basic blood screen consisting of a complete blood count, a blood chemistry panel with electrolytes included and a thyroid screen. • a urinalysis (an evaluation of the dog’s urine). • diagnostic imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed axial tomography (CAT scan). • cerebrospinal analysis (a spinal tap). Even with advanced diagnostics such as MRI or CAT scans, exact diagnosis may be elusive. Many seizure disorders in dogs are never definitively diagnosed, despite exhaustive diagnostic investigation. In addition, these advanced imaging tests may not be widely available in smaller communities and/or may be cost prohibitive for many dog owners.
