Dogs can tell when a child's epileptic seizure is about to happen, they become protective

Main Category: Epilepsy
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Veterinary
Article Date: 22 Jun 2004 - 10:00 PDT


If you have a child with epilepsy, you may view your pet dog as more than just your best friend, according to a new study. Dogs seem to behave differently when a child has an epileptic seizure - they also behave differently just before the onset of a seizure, say researchers.

Dr. Adam Kirton of Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary, said that the study was a small one and advised people not to get too excited by his findings. He said that his findings should be regarded as preliminary ones. He said parents with epileptic children should not go out and buy a dog just because they heard about his small study.

You can read about Dr. Kirton's study in the journal Neurology.

Some previous studies have also shown a link between a dog's behaviour and epileptic seizures. Some have even indicated that having a dog could reduce the numbers of seizures experienced by a human (small studies).

This is the first study that looked at dogs and seizures in children. 238 families were surveyed, all of them had a child with epilepsy. Of the 238 families, about 50% responded to the survey.

Of the families who had a dog, 40% said that their pet would change when their child had or was about to have a seizure. The most common reaction was for the dog to start licking the child. Some dogs would become protective and sit by the child before a seizure, or generally stay near them. They would behave differently up to 15 minutes before the onset of a seizure.

Asked whether dogs can smell the onset of a seizure, the researchers suggested the trigger is probably a visual one.

Dr. Kirton said that further studies were necessary.

Who knows? If further studies make headway, we may be able to train dogs to help children (and adults) who have epilepsy.

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