Many dog parents prioritize giving their pets the best care possible. However, health problems, such as dog seizures, can happen unexpectedly. Watching your happy-go-lucky dog shake uncontrollably is frightening, especially if you don’t know what’s wrong. But seizures require your immediate attention. If left untreated, they can cause a health crisis like lasting brain damage or worse. This article will walk you through identifying a dog seizure so you can comfort and treat your pup immediately.
What Are Dog Seizures?
Dog seizures are caused by malfunctions in the brain that cause abnormal electrical activity. Roughly 1 in 20 dogs experience a seizure at some point in their lifetime. There are over a dozen types of dog seizures, all equally uncomfortable to witness because they are uncontrollable. Your dog might fall, hold its paws out, snap and growl, hide, whine, drool, lose consciousness, or simply look “out of it.”
They are generally characterized by subtle or severe involuntary muscle movement, which is why they are often mistaken as tremors or shivering. Most dog seizures, however, affect a dog’s senses and how they respond to their surroundings. Sometimes, they are difficult to diagnose because they don’t cause any obvious symptoms. Dog seizures might occur out of the blue or recur in clusters. They are frequently caused by underlying health conditions like:
- Heatstroke
- Dehydration
- Epilepsy
- Brain tumors
- Infection and Inflammation
- Head injury
- Low blood or oxygen levels
- Poisoning
- Liver disease
- Kidney failure
It’s also important to note certain breeds like beagles, retrievers (golden and Labrador), poodles, and Saint Bernards are genetically predisposed to seizures.
Types of Dog Seizures:
Most people don’t realize there are different types of seizures. The most prevalent ones include:
- Generalized or Grand Mal Seizures: These seizures occur when most of the dog’s brain is affected.
- Partial Seizures: Involve unusual electric activity in certain parts of the brain. A study by BMC Veterinary Research found that 26% of focal seizures evolve into generalized ones, while 38% of dogs experience both types simultaneously.
- Psychomotor Seizures: Short or sudden seizures that usually last only a few minutes. Although the behavior exhibited is difficult to detect, it is repetitive.
- Idiopathic Epilepsy: When seizures can’t be classified or explained, they fall under this category.
5 Signs of Dog Seizures
Every seizure looks different; thus, knowing what to look out for can be challenging. It also depends on how far along the seizure your dog is. Nonetheless, here are a few common symptoms that should alert you that something’s wrong:
1. Nonreactive and Spacing Out
Dogs that have mild seizures often become unresponsive, staring into space. They might appear confused, stand still, stiffen up, or stop mid-activity. Try to get your dog’s attention by calling its name or giving them their favorite toy or treat. If they react, they’re alright. But if they don’t and remain rigid, it’s highly likely that they are having a seizure.
2. Involuntary Behavior and Convulsions
Some dogs might start twitching, panting, paddling feet, running in a circle, bumping into things. They may knock over furniture, growl and nip, drool uncontrollably, chew their tongue, or twitch and tremble. Look for behavior that doesn’t add up or begins without reason, especially if it continues longer than your dog’s normal.
3. Shock from the Dog Seizures
Confusion and shock are normal. Seizures put dogs in a state of mind where time stops. This might look like a tense dog who doesn’t recognize where they are or shows signs of aggression toward people he normally gets along with. Your dog might also try to hide.
4. Eyes Rolling Back
In severe cases, your dog’s pupils might be dilated and roll back into their sockets. Your pup’s eyes might be red and inflamed, too, due to stress.
5. Trashing and Falling
If your dog is suffering a major seizure, they will likely collapse or fall over their side immediately. They may pass out during a walk, in the middle of an activity, or even while sitting.
Additional symptoms: salivating, vomiting, elevated body temperature, restlessness, licking lips, chomping, barking at nothing, uncontrollable urination or defecation, head pulled back
What to Do If Your Dog Has a Seizure
Your pup doesn’t understand that they are having a seizure. It’s more important than ever to remain calm and focused because their health depends on you. Knowing that most seizures are painless (even if your dog sounds or acts otherwise) should give you peace of mind, but you should remain proactive.
Check the time and note when the seizure begins and ends, if it is repetitive, and if there is any trauma or injury. This information will be extremely useful when explaining symptoms to your vet.
You can also film the seizure with your phone to paint a more accurate picture. If this isn’t a one-time incident, start a journal and document your dog’s seizures so your vet can pinpoint any patterns.
Do not try to grab your dog’s tongue, shake them, or stop the seizure, as there’s a chance you might get bit. Gently touch your dog only to move them out of harm’s way and remove surrounding objects. Comfort and hold your dog through the seizure.
If the seizure lasts over 3 minutes, your dog is at risk of overheating. Cool them off by applying cold water or towels to their body.
No matter what measures you take, get your dog to a medical professional as soon as possible for an examination. If this is your dog’s first time having a seizure or they have multiple seizures, consider it an emergency.
How are Dog Seizures Treated?
Treating dog seizures depends on underlying conditions. If it’s a single event, medication may not be necessary. But if the seizures are a result of a serious condition, they might require treatment or surgery.
Conclusion
Seizures can be hard to watch but can be managed with prompt medical attention and careful observation. If your pup is experiencing the symptoms listed above, it’s highly recommended to keep your cool and let them get through the event before consulting a veterinarian.
There is no way to prevent dog seizures. But with regular checkups and your attention, you can help you catch early warning signs and reduce their likelihood and severity. Your vet will let you know the best course of action following the seizure and what to do if it happens again.
