Dogs Sense Seizures in Children
June 22, 2004
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Dogs are a man's best friend and possibly a child's lifesaver. A new study shows dogs may be able to anticipate seizures in children with epilepsy.
The most common response behavior from the dogs in this study was licking, often of the face, followed by decreased motor activity, whimpering, and “protective" behavior without aggression. For example, a Sheltie-Spitz cross would forcibly sit on the child and not allow her to stand before an attack. Another example is an Akita would push a child away from the stairs 15 minutes before a convulsion.
Other breeds of seizure-alerting canines include Golden Retriever, Standard Poodle, German Shepard, Rough Collie, Rottweiler, Cairn Terrier, and Great Pyrenees.
Researchers found anticipation occurred early and was both sensitive and specific.
About 40 percent of patients in the study reported seizure-specific reaction from their dogs. About 15 percent of the dogs overall showed the ability to anticipate a seizure in the children they lived with. The study also shows quality of life was higher in families with a dog that responded to seizures.
In previous studies, owners of seizure-sensitive dogs reported that licking may abort or even prevent their seizures. Authors of the study say new and controversial research has begun to explore the abilities of animals to sense human brain activities.
SOURCE: Neurology, 2004;62:2303-2305
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