Seizures Flashcards
What is epilepsy?
Cerebral disease.
When electrical impulses in the brain work in an uncontrolled way for a short time.
(In short - disorganised electrical activity in the brain).
What does status epilepticus mean?
A state of repeated convulsions without the animal regaining consciousness.
What is a convulsion?
Violent & uncoordinated contractions of muscle.
What is ataxia?
Irregular or unsteady gait causes by incoordination of muscles.
What are the possible causes of seizures?
Inflammatory changes
Head injuries
Degenerative changes
Pressure
Poisons
Diseases affecting metabolism
What are the three types fits - in regards to the severity?
Petit mal
Grand mal
Status epilepticus
What does petit mal mean?
Fits that have a short duration.
What does grand mal mean?
Severe fits where the animal falls unconscious.
What does status epilepticus mean?
Seizures that are prolonged (over 5mins) or multiple seizures in a short time period (I.e., 30mins).
Animal does not recover immediately between them - should be seen immediately.
What are the signs of mild fits (petit mal)?
Facial twitching
Head shaking
Distraction/confused
Salivate
Also known as the pre-ictal phase
What are the signs of severe fits (grand mal)?
Start off like mild fits - then progress into 2 phases.
First phase is the ictal phase - animal collapses, paddling, clamping jaw, loses sphincter control.
Second stage is the post ictal phase - staggers to feet, appears dazed, exhausted, usually lasts from a few minutes to half an hour.
What would happen if the ictal phase was to last longer than five minutes?
This is dangerous as the animals temperature will rise rapidly leading to hyperthermia.
Why should you take regular blood tests on a patient that is taking treatment for seizures?
Most treatments will cause liver toxicity - therefore regular blood tests should be taken to monitor.
True or False - treatments only control the fits, they do not cure them.
True.
What drugs can be used to treat seizures?
Diazepam - IV or rectum.
Phenobarbital - IV or orally.
Potassium bromide - orally or rectum.
Levetiracetam - IV or orally.
What are the nursing considerations regarding seizures?
Monitor body temperature.
Monitor HR & RR.
Monitor bladder.
IV access
Turn patient every 4 hours.
Lubricate eyes.
Calm environment, dark room.
