Affects: Dogs
Rage syndrome is a rare seizure disorder in dogs, characterized by explosive aggression.
It is frequently confused with idiopathic aggression, a term for aggression with no identifiable cause. Rage syndrome is most often a misdiagnosis of dogs with an unrelated, but more common, form of aggression. Although the scientific evidence is limited, it is thought to be genetic in origin, and is heritable. It is treated with antiepileptics.
Diagnosis: Rage syndrome is diagnosed by EEG.
Thyroid function is tested during typical diagnostic workups as thyroid conditions, most commonly hypo- and hyperthyroidism, have been suggested to cause pathophysiological aggression that may present similarly to Rage syndrome.
Outcomes: Prognosis for treatment of rage syndrome is guarded. It is treated with antiepileptics.