CECS – What Is It, and How Can I Help My Dog?

Canine Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome, abbreviated to CECS, is a debilitating disease. This disease is very much dietary related, and it is something we see in clinic from time to time here at My Pet Nutritionist.

Other names you may see this disease referred to as are Paroxysmal Gluten-Sensitive Dyskinesia (PGSD) or Spike’s Disease. It is a neurological movement disorder, whereby unusual muscle contractions occur much like during an epileptic episode, but the dog does not lose consciousness. CECS was once classed as epilepsy, but has since been reclassified due to the lack of unconsciousness. Episodes occur most in the presence of gluten in the diet, even in small quantities.

Border Terriers are most commonly affected by CECS, and it is triggered by gluten sensitivity. The disease itself is considered rare, however it is also thought that it may be underdiagnosed in this breed due to the relatively high prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders and epilepsy in the Border Terrier. Other breeds often affected by the disease include Chihuahuas, Labradors, Scottish Terriers, Jack Russels and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

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In this blog, we will look at symptoms, causes, diagnosis, how it is treated by the vet, and what you can do at home to support your pet naturally.

Symptoms and Causes

Those suffering with CECS can have a varying degree of symptom severity. Some may have very short, mild episodes, whereas others may have more severe, longer episodes which affect their coordination for some time. It is important to remember that during an episode of CECS, the dog does not lose consciousness!

The most common signs of a CECS flare up in dogs are:

• Stiff muscles or cramping, most commonly in the legs and abdomen.
• Stumbling and difficulty walking
• Possible collapsing
• Tremors/shaking throughout the body
• Twitching of the face including jawline and eyebrow areas
• Abdominal stretching, similar to the ‘downward dog’ yoga position
• Gastrointestinal upset can occur before or after an episode

The exact cause of CECS is largely unknown, however it is known that the major trigger of it is the presence of gluten in the diet. CECS can be part of a severe gluten sensitivity, which is an immune mediated issue. CECS may be caused by neurotransmitter imbalances or abnormal metabolic processes. Some cases of CECS are also triggered by stress.

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Diagnosis

Diagnosing CECS can be tricky. Because CECS has symptoms very similar to other conditions, it is often mistaken for more common disorders. When a dog displays any of these symptoms, he or she should be taken to the vet for diagnosis – a correct diagnosis is important as managing CECS is very specific, and not like the management of any other disease with similar symptoms.

Typically, the first step is for the vet to review your dog’s medical history, and carry out a physical examination. If you can bring with you a video of your dog having one of the episodes associated with CECS, your vet will want to see it as this can be a part of the dog’s diagnosis!

Rather than ruling in CECS in the first instance, other similar diseases tend to be ruled out before an official diagnosis is made. In order to rule out any metabolic disorders, a full blood panel and urinalysis is performed.

A neurological examination will be conducted, however rather than looking for abnormal neurological activity, the results showing ‘normal’ between episodes is another piece to the puzzle of diagnosing CECS. In order to rule out epilepsy, an EEG or an MRI could be carried out.

Once these are ruled out, the vet can begin looking into specific testing to rule in possible CECS. A Gluten Antibody Test will be carried out. When looking at the results of this test, if the anti-gliadin antibody result is elevated, the likelihood of a gluten sensitivity is strong, which is a large part of CECS.

Finally, a dietary trial will be carried out, whereby the dog is fed a totally gluten free diet for a matter of many weeks or even months – a food and health diary should be kept so the owner is able to see any patterns. If the frequency of episodes decreases as your dog stops eating gluten, a diagnosis of CECS will be given.

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Conventional Treatment

This disease is one of the few diseases for which there is no conventional treatment your vet can necessarily offer, with the exception of muscle relaxants or anticonvulsive medications, however these tend to be hit and miss as to whether they help, as they are only beneficial for those with true epilepsy.

Your vet will advise you to feed a strictly gluten free diet. Of course here at My Pet Nutritionist we recommend a gluten free diet as standard, preferably a fresh offering; we will discuss diet later in this blog post.

As owners and guardians, we need to ensure our pets are kept safe and comfortable during an episode of CECS. If you are unsure how to protect your pet during an episode, chat to your vet to find out some hints and tips on keeping your pooch safe.

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A Natural Approach to CECS

As always, our approach is often supported by veterinary care, so we tend to look at this as a complementary approach as opposed to alternative. Here’s our top tips to support your pet naturally:

• Feed a fresh, gluten free diet: gluten isn’t something we would recommend using on your pet’s diet regardless of health status, however this is most important in those with CECS. Fresh food is our top choice for all dogs, but especially for dog with CECS, whether that is raw or lightly cooked. You can check out our ‘Ultimate Raw Feeding Guide for Dogs’ which contains 10 balanced raw food recipes, or our large catalogue of cooked food recipes on our website. Premade raw foods are a great option too! When buying store bought treats, make sure you thoroughly read ingredients labels, as gluten can easily be hidden within the treats! Avoid anything containing wheat, rye, barley, and oat (unless the oats are certified gluten free).
• Work on gut health: part of CECS is gut inflammation. Due to this inflammation, the diversity of the gut is hindered, so keeping gut health in good shape is extremely important. Using a mucilage herb to heal the gut, and a good quality source of probiotics is essential to help the gut microbiome flourish. Our Gut Guardian Supplement may be ideal for your CECS dog!

• Increase the Omega 3 Fatty Acids: Omega 3 has anti-inflammatory qualities. Increasing the content of Omega 3 is important as it can help reduce inflammation in the gut and brain, and also help to keep muscle tissues from being inflamed. It also helps to support brain function and reduces neurological impacts from CECS.
• Magnesium: this vital nutrient plays a role in correct muscle and nerve function, which could reduce the severity of cramps during an episode.
• Vitamin B: this is another vital nutrient that plays a role in correct muscle and nerve function, which much like magnesium, could reduce the severity of cramps during an episode. Methylated B Vitamins are the best option when it comes to supplementing with Vitamin B as these are in their most bioavailable form.
• Minimise stress: since stressful environments can impact CECS and trigger an episode, it is important to minimise stress in the dog’s surroundings.
• Keep fitness levels up: as CECS is a movement disorder, it is important to keep your pet as strong as possible. Gentle exercise can support general muscle tone – and every little helps when it comes to CECS!

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So, if your dog is displaying some odd symptoms but your vet can’t quite put their finger on what is causing it, suggest they look into gluten sensitivity and in turn, CECS. If your pooch becomes diagnosed with CECS, and you feel you could use some help, please don’t hesitate to book a consultation with us. Don’t forget to check out our recipes too – they could just be what you’re looking for!



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