Seizures are scary. As you helplessly look on, your dog’s neurological system seems to go haywire. A seizure is actually a symptom, not a disease itself. Basically, sudden abnormal electrical activity in the brain causes uncontrollable behavior or actions such as convulsions. In a dog, a seizure may range from just a facial twitching to the dog falling over on his side paddling his paws.
Brain tumors, low blood sugar, thyroid disorders, poisoning, and a host of other conditions may cause seizures, so if your dog has a seizure, you should call your veterinarian as soon as you can. If your dog has quickly repeating or extended seizures, he may require emergency medical attention.
During the seizure, do not try to “help” your dog by opening his mouth or restraining him. You could easily hurt yourself or the dog in the process. During the seizure, the dog won’t respond to you, but do try and keep any objects out of his way. After the seizure, the dog may be frightened and disoriented. Talk to him in a soft voice and try to reassure him. Keep him calm and away from the stairs and other obstacles for a while until you are sure he has really recovered and can walk around without stumbling.
Although the seizure may feel almost as stressful for you as it is for the dog, try to pay attention to what’s going on. Be sure to note exactly what happened before, during, and after the seizure, so you can report this information to your veterinarian. Dogs may have only one seizure in their entire life or may have conditions such as epilepsy that are characterized by multiple seizures. Pay attention to anything that might have triggered the seizure. Triggers can include stress, certain foods or ingredients, or even noises.
When you take your dog to the vet, he will probably do a whole range of tests to try and find a cause for the seizures. However, many seizures fall into the “idiopathic” category, which means they have no known cause. Even if your vet can’t figure out why the seizure happens, he still can offer treatments. A number of medications are available that can help control seizures. The two most commonly prescribed medications are Phenobarbital and bromide. You will want to be conscientious about giving the medications and work closely with your veterinarian to monitor your dog’s response to the medications and watch for potential side effects. Anecdotal evidence suggests that diet changes can help seizures as well, so you may want to talk to your vet about possible changes you can make to your dog’s food.
Although seizures are an upsetting experience for both dogs and their owners, with medication and TLC, you can help your dog live a long and happy life.