A Guide to Seizures and Convulsions in Dogs
When a dog has a seizure, it can be frightening and stressful for both you and your pet. If your normally healthy, carefree pet suddenly becomes disoriented and unsteady, they might be having a seizure.
What Is a Seizure?
A seizure is characterized by abnormal electrical brain activity during which a dog loses consciousness, awareness, and control of its body. Seizures are often accompanied by uncontrollable convulsing. Their duration can last anywhere from under a minute to several minutes.
Signs of Seizures in Dogs
During seizures, dogs are not aware of their surroundings or in control of their bodies. Signs and symptoms of seizures in dogs include:
- Confusion
- Collapsing
- Paddling motions with legs
- Convulsing
- Jerking
- Stiffening
- Muscle twitching
- Tongue chewing
- Chomping
- Drooling
- Loss of consciousness
- Foaming at the mouth
- Urinating and/or defecating
What Causes Seizures in Dogs?
There are several things that can cause a dog to have a seizure.
- Epilepsy (seizure disorder)
- Ingesting a toxic substance
- Heatstroke (hyperthermia)
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- High or low blood sugar
- Electrolyte imbalance (water or salt poisoning)
- Anemia
- Encephalitis
- Head injury
- Stroke
- Brain cancer
If your dog has many seizures, then they are likely suffering from a seizure disorder (epilepsy).
What to Do If Your Dog Has a Seizure
Stay calm and assess your pet’s surroundings. Carefully slide them away from anything nearby that could injure them like stairs or furniture. Stay away from your dog’s mouth, as they could inadvertently bite you, and don’t worry your dog won’t choke on their tongue.
If you can, time the seizure. Since seizing dogs can overheat, turn on a fan or put cold water on your dog’s paws to cool them down if the seizure lasts longer than a couple of minutes.
If your dog’s episode lasts more than five minutes or several seizures occur in a row, seek emergency veterinary care as soon as possible. Otherwise, contact the veterinarian as soon as your dog’s seizure is over.
Seizure Treatment and Comprehensive Veterinary Care in Goldsboro
If your dog suffers a seizure, our veterinarian will perform a thorough physical examination and might also recommend some diagnostic testing to determine the underlying cause of your pet’s seizures.
We’ll then recommend a treatment plan, which might include prescription medication, designed to address the underlying cause. To learn more or schedule an appointment, we welcome you to contact Eastwaye Veterinary Clinic today.
