If you’ve ever seen a dog having a seizure, you were probably very alarmed. When a dog has a seizure, they usually falls down on the floor, may hold their legs stretched straight out from their body, their body becomes stiff and shakes. They might stare off into the distance. They might also paddle their legs, depending on the situation, and they could run around in a panicked circle for a few minutes before falling over.

Whichever way your dog experiences seizures, seeing it happen isn’t fun, and you may be wondering what you can do to help your frightened furry friend when these occur.

Remember: If your dog is having or has just had a seizure for the first time, write down all the details you can remember about it and schedule an appointment with your vet. And if you think your dog may have ingested something toxic that could have caused the seizure, get to an emergency vet right away. Otherwise, chances are good your dog may have epilepsy, which is common in canines.

Read on to learn more about symptoms of seizures and how to proceed when your dog has one.

SYMPTOMS OF DOG SEIZURES

• Falling to the floor immediately, instead of laying down as usual

• Extended legs

• Twitching/shaking

• Stiff muscles

• Running in circles

• Going completely unconscious

• Being unresponsive/unable to look at you or anything else

• Drooling

• Biting

• Urinating or defecating uncontrollably

• Staring blankly, but remaining standing

WHAT CAUSES DOG SEIZURES?

Common causes of seizures in dogs include:

• Idiopathic epilepsy

• Head trauma

• Ingesting toxins

• Heatstroke

• Low blood sugar

• Liver disease

• Brain tumors

• Bacterial/viral infections

• Low calcium levels

Only a vet can tell you for sure what causes your dog’s seizures as well as how to best treat them.

Dog seizures can be scary, and your dog may require emergency medical care afterwards. VEG is open 24 hours every day to care for your pet's emergency.

HOW TO HELP IF YOUR DOG IS HAVING A SEIZURE

Remain calm during the seizure

Whether this is the first time your dog has ever had a seizure or you’ve seen it happen before, try to keep yourself calm first before you attend to your dog. If you get in his face, crying or yelling at him, he’s going to be even more frightened by the whole situation.

For all the empathetic pet parents out there, you should know that seizures are not painful and your dog is completely unaware of what is happening during it. It also only lasts a few minutes. 

Sit near your dog, but keep safe distance

Sit near your dog but be careful about petting him. You can sometimes pet his back or parts of his body that he can’t easily reach with his mouth. However, keep in mind that dogs may uncontrollably bite during seizures. Similarly, your dog may be confused when he comes to and could bite you out of fear, pain, or confusion.

If you’re dealing with a dog seizure for the first time, it may be best to avoid petting him, even though that can be emotionally painful for you.

Time your dog’s seizures

If you are able to do so, time your dog’s seizures. A stopwatch is ideal, but even just keeping an eye on the clock can let you know how long your dog has been seizing.

If it’s less than two minutes, everything should be okay; two to five minutes is a warning zone, and your dog should be taken to the vet for emergency treatment.

Any seizure lasting over four to five minutes needs to be treated immediately by a vet.

If your dog has several seizures in the span of a few minutes and does not wake up between each one, he needs to see a vet immediately.

Take a mental note of the situation, or even a short video to bring to your vet.

Carefully move your dog to a safer location

If your dog has a seizure near stairs or the edge of the bed, carefully push them to a safer location or place something in front of your dog that will prevent them from falling without hurting them.

Dogs may become panicked before or after a seizure and may run around without thinking or looking at where they’re going. They also may not always be able to control their movements and could potentially seize so hard they fall.

Speak in comforting tones

Speak in low, comforting tones to your dog. Some owners even try putting on soft, gentle music for their dogs after a seizure. As long as you don’t play anything too loudly, this is fine. However, your dog may appreciate it more if you just let him come back to normal without adding distractions around him, too.

Lower your dog’s body temperature

Seizures cause your dog’s body temperature to climb quickly. Because of this, it can be helpful to gently place cool washcloths over his feet after the seizure has ended. Wait until your dog has come to before you do this, as he may bite you if you don’t.

From puppies to senior dogs, VEG emergency vet hospital is open 24/7 to care for your pet.

Wrap and comfort your dog

Some owners wrap their dog in a towel or blanket and hold him to comfort him after a seizure. It is fine to do this if your dog has become alert and is otherwise back to normal following the seizure. If not, don’t do this.

Also, avoid doing this if hugging usually bothers your dog, as he will not find it comforting in this situation, either.

Let your dog sleep

After your dog is alert and awake again, he may be very tired. Let him sleep; you may check up on him periodically, but it’s best to let him rest.

Let your dog eat or drink

Your dog may also be extremely hungry or thirsty after a seizure. Don’t force him to eat or drink, but let him do so if he seems alert and is able to stand on his feet without wobbling or seeming confused.

Call your VEG emergency vet

If this is the first time your dog has had a seizure or if the seizure lasted longer than usual, call your vet right away and ask their advice. Follow what the vet suggests.

If your vet diagnoses your dog with epilepsy, he may be given epilepsy medication. You will need to speak with your vet for more information about how to administer this medication and what to expect in terms of side effects when you give it to your dog.

Take care not to skip it, as your dog may suffer from seizures again if you do.

ARE DOG SEIZURES TREATABLE?

Seizures are not uncommon in dogs. Some breeds are much more prone to having them than others, but all breeds can suffer from seizures at some point in their lives. Seizures in dogs may be caused by a variety of factors, including diet, age, hereditary problems, underlying disease and more. They may also be caused by epilepsy.

Only your vet can tell you for sure what causes your dog’s seizures as well as how to treat them. However, the next time your dog goes through a seizure, you’ll be prepared to help him through it every step of the way when you keep the above tips in mind.

WHEN TO TAKE A DOG WITH A SEIZURE TO A VEG VET HOSPITAL

If you think your dog may be having a seizure, don’t wait. Seizures can escalate quickly so every second counts – call your local VEG ER for Pets or just walk in – no appointment necessary.

Got questions about dog seizures? Contact your nearest VEG location for answers. We’re open 24/7 and you will always speak directly to a high-quality emergency veterinarian.