Neurological System

The nervous system is made up of the brain, spinal cord and all the nerves that connect to other tissues throughout the body. If our dog displays unexplained neurological symptoms, such as seizures, imbalance, sudden aggression or unknown pain/paralysis, to name a few, they should have a neurological evaluation by a veterinarian as soon as possible. This highly complex system can be affected by genetics, injury, infections from microorganisms like bacteria and viruses, and chemicals. Although we don't have all the answers to why and how to treat nervous disorders, it is a field with ever-expanding information and lots of research. Seizure disorders and epilepsy are complex topics. Seizures are caused when the brain has an abnormal burst of electrical activity. A few of the known causes are injury, encephalitis, heat stroke, poisoning, scar tissue on the brain, and metabolic disorders. Recurrent seizures are classified as either acquired epilepsy (cause is known), or idiopathic epilepsy (unknown cause). Idiopathic epilepsy is by far the most common. Inherited epilepsy can be found in many breeds, but figuring out the cause is not so simple; it has a polygenic (affecting many genes) mode of inheritance in many breeds, and may follow a simple autosomal recessive trait in others. Hopefully with time, research and new information on DNA sampling, we will learn how to eradicate the inherited form of this disease.

http://vhc.missouri.edu/small-animal-hospital/neurology-neurosurgery/facts-on-neurologic-diseases/canine-idiopathic-epilepsy/

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/brain,-spinal-cord,-and-nerve-disorders-of-dogs/parts-of-the-nervous-system-in-dogs

https://www.care.com/c/stories/6477/neurological-disorders-in-dogs-signs-and-car/

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/brain,-spinal-cord,-and-nerve-disorders-of-dogs/nervous-system-disorders-and-effects-of-injuries-in-dogs

http://www.akcchf.org/canine-health/top-health-concerns/epilepsy/understanding-canine-epilepsy.html

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/nervous-system/diseases-of-the-spinal-column-and-cord/overview-of-diseases-of-the-spinal-column-and-cord