Witnessing a seizure of a beloved pet can be really frightening. It can be tempting to panic in the moment, and time seems to march by so slowly when you’re in the thick of it. Knowing what is actually happening during a seizure, and knowing when it’s a true emergency is crucial to maintaining your cool. In this article, we’ll explore the causes of seizures in dogs and discuss when to panic.
What is a Seizure in Dogs?
A seizure is what happens to the body when there is abnormal brain activity caused by neuronal discharges. Depending on where the abnormal activity is in the brain, the seizure can manifest in different ways. Some present as loss of consciousness, others as abnormal jerky movements in the arms or legs, changes in sensory perception or even hypersalivation, vomiting and urinating.
Most seizures last seconds to minutes, but some can last hours. The majority of seizure events will eventually stop on their own.
How Do I Know If My Pet Had a Seizure?
Seizures can look different in different animals and depending on where in the brain the abnormal activity is. Most pets will lose consciousness and become unresponsive, paddle their legs and often urinate or defecate. One phenomenon that can help differentiate seizures from other causes of collapse is the post-ictal phase that occurs after a seizure event.
Pets will often have a period of time after the seizure event, the post-ictal phase, where they will act strangely, either more vocal or more tired, or clingy or wobbly or something different from their normal demeanor. This usually lasts minutes to hours, and sometimes a day or more. This ‘post-ictal phase’ doesn’t occur in other causes of collapse, such as cardiovascular events.
What Can Cause a Seizure in Dogs?
We often think of seizures as being caused by epilepsy, but seizures can also be caused by single events, such as head trauma, toxic exposure to certain chemicals or changes in underlying metabolic chemistry, such as low blood sugar. If these underlying causes are treated and corrected, the pet may never have another seizure.
Epilepsy is caused by idiopathic brain activity, or conformational abnormalities in the brain or skull. Seizures caused by epilepsy will cause repeated seizure events over the span of weeks or months in irregular or regular intervals. There are certain pure breeds overrepresented by seizures, indicating there may be a hereditary component as well.
Dog Breeds Prone to Idiopathic Epilepsy:
- Labradors
- Boxers
- Cocker Spaniels
- Poodles
- Spaniels
- Shepherds
- Retrievers
- Dachshunds
How Are Seizures in Dogs Treated?
Seizures related to single events, such as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or toxic exposure are obviously treated by correcting the underlying problem. Once this is resolved, usually the seizures are no longer a problem and don’t require medication to control.
Pets diagnosed with Idiopathic Epilepsy might require treatment with anticonvulsants. Working with your veterinarian to determine when, if at all, is a good time to start medication is imperative. Pets that have one or two small seizures a year, for example, may not require daily medication. Pets who have very frequent seizures that are prolonged and tough to recover from would be encouraged to start anticonvulsant therapy.
Bear in mind, that the goal of anticonvulsants in seizure control isn’t to make pets never have a seizure again. Although this would be nice, it’s not realistic. However, the number, duration and severity of seizures should lessen with medication. If your pet continues to have breakthrough seizures in an amount that concerns you, request a blood test to ensure the level of medication being given is therapeutic.
When Are Seizures an Emergency?
A single seizure lasting less than 3 minutes, while scary, might not be life threatening. However, always seek guidance from your veterinarian. Especially if your pet has already been diagnosed as Epileptic, a single seizure event should be logged and recorded, but likely doesn’t necessitate an appointment.
Call a veterinarian immediately, or go straight to an ER, if the seizure lasts longer than 3 to 5 minutes. A prolonged seizure can lead to life-threatening hyperthermia (high body temperature), and even brain damage.
Cluster seizures, where the pet has a small or short seizure but then lapses into another within a short amount of time, is another cause for concern and should you should seek veterinary attention immediately.
If the seizure is the first one your pet has ever had, making an appointment to be seen is recommended, but isn’t likely an emergency. Your veterinarian will want to complete a good physical and neurologic exam and run blood work to screen for underlying causes.
Always consider having a veterinary dog health insurance policy in place so your pet can receive the best medical care.
Is My Pet Going to Be Ok?
Most pets with seizures can live a normal happy long life. Dogs don’t need to drive a car, or hold down a job, so occasional seizures, while disconcerting to witness, can be compatible with an excellent quality of life.
Get a policy from Pets Best so that you will be covered in the event that your pup starts to have seizures!