Understanding Canine Seizures

Seizures are temporary involuntary disturbances of normal brain function that are usually accompanied by uncontrollable muscle activity, and they are one of the most frequently reported neurological conditions in dogs.

Watching a dog experience seizures is one of the most disturbing things a dog parent can ever experience.  The first time your dog seizes in front of you it is very upsetting, but as time goes along, you learn how to deal with them and how to react to keep the dog calm and prevent any trauma.

Seizures often occur at times of changing brain activity, such as during excitement or feeding or as the dog is falling asleep or waking up.  Despite the violent appearance of a seizure, they are not painful.  Your dog may feel confusion or panic, and contrary to belief, they do not swallow their tongues or become vicious. Dogs usually appear completely normal between seizures.

A single seizure is rarely dangerous to the dog, but if there are multiple seizures with a short period of time (cluster seizures), or if a seizure lasts longer than a few minutes (as in a grand mal seizure), this signals a serious medical issue with other sets of problems that must be addressed.

After a dog has a seizure for the first time, it is recommended that the dog be taken to the veterinarian for an examination. A conversation with the vet should include what the test results are, whether they will wait to see if the seizure was a one-time occurrence, or if there will be more, if/when treatment should be started and what the medical options are.

Keep a careful journal of the seizures. As soon as possible, write down the exact time the dog started to seizure and the time the seizure ended. A stop watch or watch with a second hand can be helpful. After the seizure is over and you have time, write down all circumstances surrounding the seizure, such as unusual food eaten, activities that happened during the previous day, medications or vaccinations recently given. A detailed journal can be helpful when bringing your dog to a new vet or neurologist.

The Four Phases Of A Seizure

Prodrome: The pre-seizure phase causes subtle behavioral or mood changes and precedes the actual seizure by hours or even days. Your dog may appear restless and pace, may seek affection, salivate, whine, or hide.  This phase may last a few seconds to a few hours. This is when your dog senses that something is about to occur.

Aura: Your dog may appear restless and pace, may seek affection, salivate, whine, or hide.  This phase may last a few seconds to a few hours. This is when your dog senses that something is about to occur.

Ictal: This signals the start of the seizure, which usually lasts less than 5 minutes. Your dog may appear excited, vomit, salivate, run in circles, collapse, and have uncoordinated muscle activity.

***If your dog experiences a grand mal, or full-blown seizure with loss of consciousness, all of the muscles in the body contract spastically and erratically. The dog appears to be paralyzed and usually falls over on its side.  The head will often be drawn backward. Uncontrollable urination or defecation, along with salivating, may occur.  This is considered an extreme emergency, and medical help should immediately be sought.

Post Ictal: After the seizure, the recovery period begins. Your dog may seem disoriented, uncoordinated, or may occasionally be temporarily blind or deaf.   This phase can last from hours to days.

What Causes Canine Seizures?

After your dog has a seizure episode your veterinarian will want to take a thorough history and will concentrate on any possible exposures to poisonous or toxic substances or any history of head trauma.  He will also perform a physical exam, perform blood and urine tests and in some cases, do an electrocardiogram.  All of these tests can rule out disorders of the liver, kidneys, heart, and any problems with electrolyte and blood sugar levels.

Some of the causes of seizures are:

Congenital defects
Primary or Idiopathic epilepsy  (There are no tests for epilepsy, but the tests done will rule out all the other                   causes of seizures)
Blood glucose levels that are too high (diabetes) or too low (hypoglycemia)
Low oxygen levels in the blood that could be caused by anemia or heart problems
Kidney disorders
Liver disorders
Infections such as distemper
Brain tumors
Toxins, like antifreeze, lead, or chocolate
Poisons that include chemical sprays, insecticides, and other chemical products
Fevers and hypothermia
Brain damage resulting from head trauma
Certain medications
Low calcium in female dogs that are nursing (eclampsia)

What To Do When Your Dog Has A Seizure

• Stay calm!  As difficult as this is, it’s important for you and your dog that you remain calm before, during, and after a seizure.
• Don’t interfere with the seizure unless the dog is in danger.  Move furniture away from the dog and put a towel or blanket under his head to protect from trauma. Keep your hands away from his mouth, as he will not have full control of his teeth and jaws.
• Turn off TV, radio, lights, or any loud appliances, as his brain is already overstimulated.
• Talk to him reassuringly in quiet, soothing tones
• Do not cover him with blankets or towels to stop the thrashing. Dogs who are in seizure need to be unencumbered so that they don’t tear ligaments or injure muscles by being covered or bound.
• Secure other family pets – Keep other family pets safely secured in another room while your dog is having         seizures. Other pets can get confused and may even attack the seizing dog out of fear.

What To Do After A Seizure

Again, STAY CALM and give hugs and reassurance.  Speak in soft, reassuring tones, repeating your dog’s name as you pet him and hold him close. He won’t remember his seizure, but he may come out of one confused and shaken. A familiar voice and some loving, calming influence will go a long way in helping him recover.

Keep him cool. Dogs can overheat during seizures, so put cold water on his paws and turn on a fan to lower his temperature.

Keep him safe. Your dog may experience confusion and temporary blindness post-seizure. Be sure he is in a safe area (no stairs, wires, etc.).

Give him a snack.  After dogs come out of a seizure, a little bit of all-natural vanilla ice cream, honey, or natural maple syrup will help raise their sugar levels back up.  Follow this with a protein such as a little kibble, cheese, chicken, or a spoonful of cottage cheese, which will help stabilize those sugar levels.

Water is a must, so let your dog take some sips of water to keep him hydrated.

When To Go To The Veterinarian Immediately

The first time your dog goes into a seizure, it’s important to see the vet as soon as possible so that he can be examined and tested.  The cause of the seizure needs to be determined so that you know how to deal with his condition.

Status epilepticus. This is a series of continuing seizures or one long seizure lasting 10 minutes or more.

Cluster seizures. Multiple seizures in a 24-hour period.

Pale white gums. This is an indicator of a pulmonary edema in the lungs caused by the seizure.

The last three listed above are life threatening and require immediate veterinary intervention. Always call the vet before you leave so that they are prepared when you arrive.

How Are Seizures Treated Or Prevented?                

Treatment for seizures is usually started after a pet has had more than one seizure a month, has had a cluster of seizures, or has had grand mal seizures that are severe or prolonged in duration.

There are many prescriptions that are available from your vet based on your dog’s diagnosis. Phenobarbital and potassium bromide are the two most common. Many seizure medications heavily damage the liver, so your veterinarian will want to perform regular liver checks if your dog has been prescribed such drugs.  Once anti-convulsant medication is started, it must be given for life.  If anti-convulsant medication is started and then discontinued, the dog may have a greater risk of developing more severe seizures in the future.

A healthy diet is crucial as so many ingredients in commercially prepared foods can trigger a seizure.  As a rule, it is best to keep the diet simple to avoid any possible triggers, so look for a food with limited, wholesome, natural ingredients with no additives or preservatives. Consult with your vet regarding diet recommendations, as well.

If you are concerned about your dog seizing while swimming, doggie life vests are available to purchase at pet stores and online.

An ID tag on a lost epileptic dog is very important. It’s scary enough to think of a lost dog, but a lost dog without medications is even worse. Medical alert tags are available at most pharmacies, pet supply store, online, or from your vet. It can be engraved and worn with your dog’s regular tags.

It may be very helpful to have an Epilepsy kit handy in your household.

Items to have on hand:

• Any prescribed medications
• Blanket or towel to put under his head to avoid any trauma if he jerks or thrashes
• Old towels, rags or diapers (to clean up if your dog voids his bladder or bowel during a seizure)
• Heavy blanket (can be used to transport a seizuring dog that cannot stand or walk to a clinic)
• Baby gate (to block off hazards from a recovering, ataxic dog or to block other dogs from a seizuring dog)
• Extra mats or pillows (they may need to be changed if soiled during a seizure)
• Electric fan (to help cool a seizuring dog)
• Bach’s Rescue Remedy, honey, molasses, or natural vanilla ice cream (these foods help some dogs recover more quickly after a seizure)
•  Emergency contact phone numbers of your vet and the nearest Animal Emergency Clinic.

Being informed and knowing how to help your dog is the best way to deal with seizures. You can help your dog get through this stressful event by staying calm, keeping him safe, recording pertinent information about the seizure, and comforting him when it’s over.