🩺 Equine Epilepsy & Seizures: A Vet’s 2025 Guide | Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Meta description: 🐎 A 2025 vet’s guide by Dr Duncan Houston on equine epilepsy—recognise seizures, causes, diagnostics, emergency care, treatment & long‑term management with Ask A Vet support.

1. 🧠 What Is a Seizure?

Seizures are sudden episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the horse’s brain. They may cause loss of consciousness, collapse, muscle stiffness, paddling limbs, drooling, uncontrolled urination or defecation, and excessive sweating :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

2. 🧩 Types of Seizures in Horses

• Generalized (tonic–clonic): Full-body convulsions, loss of consciousness.
• Focal (partial): Localized twitching, may or may not spread :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
• Status epilepticus: Seizure lasting >5 minutes or multiple back-to-back events—rare but life‑threatening :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.

3. ⚠️ Seizures vs Other Conditions

Seizure-like signs can mimic colic, narcolepsy, or vestibular issues. A veterinarian should assess sensory and neurologic status to differentiate :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.

4. 🧬 Causes of Seizures

• Idiopathic (genetic): Recurrent epilepsy with no structural brain issue :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
• Structural/intracranial: Tumors, trauma, encephalitis :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• Reactive/extracranial: Toxins, metabolic imbalances (e.g., hypoglycemia, liver disease) :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
• Foal idiopathic epilepsy: Egyptian Arabian foals under six months—many outgrow it :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.

5. 🚨 Recognizing Seizures: Pre‑, Ictal & Post‑ictal Phases

• Prodrome/Aura: Restlessness, anxiety :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
• Ictal: Convulsions begin; may include paddling, unconsciousness, drooling. Lasts seconds to minutes :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• Post-ictal: Disoriented, ataxic, lethargic; may last hours to days :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.

6. 🩺 Emergency Response

1. Stay calm; clear surrounding area. Prevent injury.
2. Protect head but avoid force.
3. Time the seizure; >5 minutes = status epilepticus—EMERGENCY.
4. Once over, keep warm, in quiet, and monitor airway and breathing.
5. Call your vet immediately :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.

7. 🧪 Diagnostic Work‑Up

• Full physical & neurological exam.
• Bloodwork: CBC, biochemistry (liver, kidney, electrolytes).
• Urinalysis for metabolic causes.
• Imaging: skull X‑rays, CT, MRI if brain disease suspected :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
• CSF analysis and EEG (electroencephalogram) for epilepsy diagnostics :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.

8. 🩹 Treatment Strategies

8.1 Emergency Medications

• Diazepam IV: Rapidly stops convulsions :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
• Phenobarbital: Longer-acting anticonvulsant :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.

8.2 Address Underlying Causes

Treat infections, metabolic imbalances, toxic exposures, or head trauma as needed :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.

8.3 Ongoing Management

• Oral anticonvulsants (phenobarbital, sometimes diazepam maintenance).
• Regular blood monitoring for drug levels and organ function.
• Maintain environment safety and seizure logs.
• Foals may outgrow self-limiting epilepsy :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}.
• In adults, many respond well and live stable lives :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}.
• Riding paused until 6 months seizure‑free off meds :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}.

9. 🩻 Prognosis & Outlook

• Neonatal foals: Good prognosis; often resolve.
• Adult horses: Variable. Many controlled with meds and can have normal quality of life :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}.
• True idiopathic epilepsy may require lifelong management; structural/severe cases might have guarded prognosis :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}.

10. ⚠️ Risks & Precautions

• Injury during seizure—ensure safe surroundings.
• Risk of aspiration pneumonia—monitor airway.
• Post-ictal blindness or disorientation—supervise recovery.
• Status epilepticus demands immediate emergency care.

11. 🛡️ Safety Measures for Owners

• Remove sharp hazards from turnout/paddock.
• Use padded stalls during risk periods.
• Don’t ride until fully stable.
• Use medical ID on halter with condition & emergency contact.

12. 💬 Ask A Vet Support

With Ask A Vet, you get:

• 📹 Video review of seizure events to assist early triage.
• 📋 Advice on when to dose anticonvulsants and adjust housing.
• 📆 Medication reminders and seizure tracking logs.
• 🎓 Webinars with Dr Duncan Houston on neurology and seizure management.

13. ❓ FAQs

Can I ride my horse with epilepsy?

No—not until seizure-free for 6 months off meds :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}.

Will my foal outgrow epilepsy?

Many Egyptian Arabian foals have juvenile idiopathic epilepsy and recover by one year old :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}.

Can I stop medication once controlled?

Not abruptly. Taper gradually under vet guidance; monitor for recurrence.

Are there natural seizure triggers?

Toxins or stress may precipitate episodes—consult vet before feeding supplements or changing environment :contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}.

14. ✅ Final Takeaway

• Seizures are serious neurological events—understanding their phases is key.
• Emergency care and diagnostics are essential.
• Medication and environment management help many horses live well.
• Foals often recover; adults may need lifelong control measures.
• With Ask A Vet, immediate expert guidance is always available. 💙

🐾 Need Help Now?

Witnessing a seizure can be frightening. Send video via Ask A Vet and I’ll guide you through triage, medication decisions, safety steps, and next moves—with professional care at your fingertips. 🐎💞