What You Need to Know About Dog Seizures
You look over and your dog seems confused, falls to their side, and limbs go stiff or start paddling in the air. This could mean your dog is having a seizure.
Dog seizures are scary for both dog and owner. You should prepare yourself with what to do in case it happens to your dog one day.
What Causes Seizures in Dogs?
There are a variety of causes for seizures in dogs. If your dog has chronic seizures, they may have idiopathic epilepsy. Epilepsy is inherited, but vets aren’t sure what causes it. Other causes include:
- Eating anything poisonous
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Anemia
- Low or high blood sugar
- Liver or kidney disease
- Head injury
- Brain inflammation
- Stroke
- Heat stroke
- Brain cancer
Types of Seizures
- Focal Seizures: typically affects one limb, one side of the body, or just the face. Can progress to grand mal seizures
- Grand Mal Seizures: Affect the entire body. Typically look like involuntary jerking or twitching.
- Focal Seizures with Secondary Generalization: This seizures starts as a focal seizure and has a second phase of a grand mal seizure that affects the whole body.
Stages of Seizure
Stage 1: Pre-Seizure (Preictal) Phase
- Hiding
- Trembling
- Staring off into space
Stage 2: Seizure (Ictal) Phase
- Muscle twitching
- Uncontrollable shaking
- Collapsing
- Drooling
- Tongue chewing
- Foaming at the mouth
- Involuntary defecating or urinating
Stage 3: Post-Seizure (Postictal) Phase
- Disorientation
- Loss of balance
- Fatigue or lethargy
What to Do When Your Dog Has a Seizure
Make sure to keep notes of your dog’s seizures. Try to video to show your vet later. Make sure not to grab them, but keep them away from stairs to prevent falling. Cushion their head and hold them gently until they regain consciousness.
Make sure to always call your vet at the end, even if your dog seems normal. Try to follow these steps in the case of your dog having a seizure to ensure their well-being.