DOGS · Real veterinary cases
Ear flapping after experiencing two seizures within 25 hours, MRI found no brain tumor or lesions.
A pet owner asked our search engine this exact question. We pulled 50 matching peer-reviewed veterinary case reports from our library of published veterinary papers. Here's what they say — in plain English, with citations.
Plain-English synthesis
## What these cases have in common The cases primarily involve dogs experiencing seizures, often with additional symptoms like abnormal eye movements or neurological deficits. Many of these dogs underwent MRI scans that revealed various brain conditions, but in some cases, no significant lesions were found, indicating idiopathic epilepsy or other non-structural causes. ## Treatments that worked - **Intravenous diazepam**: Used in multiple cases (3 of 5) to manage acute seizures effectively. - **Levetiracetam**: Administered in several cases (2 of 5) and noted for successfully controlling seizure activity in dogs with intracranial issues. - **Surgical removal of cysts or masses**: Reported in 1 case, leading to a long-term resolution of seizures after surgery. ## Outcomes The treatments mentioned showed varying degrees of success, with some cases achieving complete seizure control while others experienced partial success or remained unresolved. ## Next step Bring these specific cases to your vet to discuss whether any sound like your pet's situation.
Conditions worth asking your vet about
These are the specific named diagnoses a vet would typically investigate for this presentation — not categories like “metabolic disorder”, but the actual conditions you can mention by name.
Idiopathic epilepsy
Idiopathic epilepsy is a common cause of seizures in dogs, especially in young to middle-aged animals. It is diagnosed when no structural brain abnormalities are found, as in this case where the MRI was clear.
Hepatic encephalopathy (portosystemic shunt)
A liver shunt can cause toxins to bypass the liver and affect the brain, leading to seizures. This condition is considered when no brain abnormalities are found on MRI. A bile-acid test can help screen for this.
Hypoglycemia (insulinoma)
Low blood sugar due to an insulin-secreting tumor can cause seizures. This is considered when no brain lesions are found and seizures occur. Blood glucose testing during episodes can help diagnose this.
Meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO)
MUO is an inflammatory condition of the brain that can cause seizures. It may not always show obvious lesions on MRI, making it a consideration in this case. CSF analysis can assist in diagnosis.
Hypothyroidism
Low thyroid hormone levels can lead to seizures in dogs. This condition is considered when other causes are ruled out, and can be diagnosed with a thyroid function test.
Toxin exposure (xylitol, ethylene glycol)
Ingestion of toxins like xylitol or ethylene glycol can cause seizures. This is considered if there is a possibility of exposure, and blood tests can help identify specific toxins.
Easily confused with: Cardiac syncope · Narcolepsy/cataplexy · Hypocalcemia · Vestibular disease
Real peer-reviewed cases
Each link below opens the full PetCaseFinder write-up of a published case report. Bring any of these to your next vet visit — they're the kind of citation a vet will recognise.
#1 match
Monocular ictal nystagmus in a dog: potentially a newly recognized focal seizure phenotype.Journal of veterinary internal medicine · 2026 · United Kingdom
A 3-year-old male neutered toy Chinese crested powderpuff dog suddenly became very dull and then experienced severe seizures. When the veterinarian examined him, they found signs of a problem in the right side of his brain. The dog had unusual eye movements, with one eye moving differently than the other, and imaging tests showed multiple lesions in the brain. Tests of the fluid around the brain indicated inflammation, and brain activity recordings suggested seizures were occurring. Unfortunately, despite treatment, the dog did not survive.
Read the full case →#2 match
Peri-ictal magnetic resonance imaging characteristics in dogs with suspected idiopathic epilepsy.Journal of veterinary internal medicine · 2021 · United Kingdom
This study looked at how seizures affect the brains of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy, which is a type of epilepsy with no known cause. Researchers examined MRI scans from 81 dogs and found that seizures caused noticeable changes in the brain, particularly in areas like the hippocampus and cingulate gyrus. Most of these changes were found on both sides of the brain and were similar in appearance. The findings suggest that seizures can lead to various changes in brain tissue, which may help us understand the effects of seizures better. Overall, the study identified more areas of the brain that can be affected by seizures than previously known.
Read the full case →#3 match
Case Report: Post-stroke hemorrhagic infarction in a status epilepticus Beagle dog.Frontiers in veterinary science · 2026 · India
This case involves a 4.5-year-old male Beagle that experienced severe and continuous seizures, known as status epilepticus, along with a brain injury caused by bleeding after a stroke. For five days, the dog had multiple seizures and showed signs of being very tired and unresponsive. Blood tests indicated serious muscle damage, dehydration, and a drop in protein levels, suggesting a significant inflammatory response in the body. Despite treatment with medications to manage the seizures and swelling in the brain, the dog did not improve and ultimately passed away. A thorough examination after death revealed extensive bleeding in the brain and damage to nerve cells, highlighting the acute nature of the dog's condition and suggesting that the changes in blood vessels were part of a recent process related to the seizures.
Read the full case →#4 match
High-field MRI findings in epileptic dogs with a normal inter-ictal neurological examination.Frontiers in veterinary science · 2024 · United Kingdom
Epilepsy is a common long-term brain condition in dogs that causes seizures. In a study of 412 dogs with epilepsy but normal neurological exams, researchers used advanced MRI scans to look for any structural problems in the brain. They found that only a small number of dogs, about 4%, had identifiable issues that could explain their seizures, mostly tumors. The study also showed that older dogs and those with a history of severe seizures were more likely to have these structural problems. Overall, the findings suggest that structural causes of epilepsy are rare in dogs with normal neurological exams.
Read the full case →#5 match
Computed tomographic features and temporal evolution of the magnetic resonance imaging features of a resolving intracranial intraventricular hematoma in a dog.Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association · 2025 · United Kingdom
An 11-year-old miniature pinscher was brought in because he suddenly started having seizure-like episodes or fainting spells. A CT scan of his head showed a mass in one of the brain's ventricles, which was later confirmed to be a bleeding area through an MRI. After two months, a follow-up MRI showed that the bleeding was resolving, although there were still some changes in the brain's structure. The dog’s symptoms improved within a month after starting treatment with levetiracetam, an anti-seizure medication. Overall, the treatment was effective, and the dog's condition improved.
Read the full case →
Your pet's case is probably already published.
PetCaseFinder reads thousands of peer-reviewed veterinary case reports and translates the relevant ones into plain English. Type your pet's exact symptoms and we'll surface the published cases that match — with citations you can bring to your vet.
Run a personalised search →Frequently asked questions
What does ear flapping after experiencing two seizures within 25 hours… usually mean in dogs?
Published veterinary case reports most often link this presentation to: Idiopathic epilepsy, Hepatic encephalopathy (portosystemic shunt), Hypoglycemia (insulinoma). Your vet may also rule out other causes depending on age, breed, and history — this page is a research aid, not a diagnosis.
How many real cases did PetCaseFinder find?
We surfaced 50 peer-reviewed case reports from our library of published veterinary case reports. The top matches are listed above with full citations.
Is this veterinary advice?
No. PetCaseFinder surfaces published veterinary research so you can have a better-informed conversation with your own veterinarian. Always confirm any diagnosis or treatment with a licensed vet who can examine your pet.