Sep 10, 2024
Seizures can happen because of irregular electrical signals in the brain. It’s a very concerning issue when it comes to our dogs. While one seizure might pass and leave your dog unharmed, repeating seizures could mean that it needs veterinary care and attention.
What Are Seizures in Dogs?
A seizure is an involuntary disruption in normal brain activity. This leads to an abrupt change in your dog’s behavior, movement, and even consciousness. For many dog owners, the sight of a dog having a seizure can be alarming, especially if it comes without warning. It’s important to know what a seizure looks like so you can give your dog the help it needs.
Signs and Symptoms of Seizures in Dogs
Identifying the signs of seizures in dogs can help you get the right help for your dog. The symptoms can vary from the different types of seizures, but these are the common ones to watch out for:
Sudden collapse or fainting
Dazed look
Uncontrolled paddling of the legs, as if the dog is running.
Excessive drooling or foaming
Loss of consciousness or awareness
Involuntary urination or defecation
Repetitive chewing motions.
Not all seizures look the same, and some can be mild, making them harder to detect. In any case, if you notice your dog experiencing seizures, we recommend getting immediate vet care so we can help your dog in no time!
Types of Seizures in Dogs
There are several types of seizures in dogs. Here are the two most common types:
Generalized Seizures (Grand Mal Seizures)
This is the most common type of seizure in dogs and can also be the most concerning to watch. During a generalized seizure, your dog will lose consciousness, and its body will display a series of involuntary movements. These include muscle twitching, jerking, or paddling of the legs.
Their whole body may stiffen or convulse, and they may also drool, urinate, or defecate involuntarily. These can last from a few seconds to several minutes.
Focal Seizures (Partial Seizures)
Focal seizures are less obvious and affect only a section of the brain, causing symptoms based on the specific area affected. You may notice twitching in one side of your dog’s face, uncontrollable blinking, or jerking in one limb.
Unlike generalized seizures, focal seizures don’t usually cause a loss of consciousness, but they can develop into generalized seizures if left untreated.
What Could Cause Seizures in Dogs?
There are lots of reasons why seizures happen in dogs, and we’re here to break them down for you. Here are the common causes of seizures in dogs:
Idiopathic Epilepsy
Idiopathic epilepsy is one of the most common causes of seizures in dogs, especially in certain breeds like Border Collies, Beagles, and German Shepherds. This means that the cause is unknown, but it is generally believed to come from genetics.
Dogs with idiopathic epilepsy tend to experience their first seizures between six months and six years of age. While there isn’t a cure for epilepsy available yet, it can be managed and helped with medication and vet visits, allowing your dogs to live healthy lives.
Infections and Inflammatory Diseases
Certain infections and inflammatory issues can be the cause of seizures in dogs. These diseases do it by affecting a dog’s central nervous system. For instance, bacteria and viruses can cause diseases like meningitis, encephalitis, or canine distemper, which can cause inflammation in the brain, triggering abnormal electrical activity.
Trauma or Head Injuries
Dogs that have suffered from physical trauma, especially to the head, are at risk of seizures. Dogs love to play, and even a mild bump to the head can sometimes lead to brain injuries. These brain injuries can disrupt your dog’s normal brain function, which can cause seizures.
In some cases, the seizures may not happen immediately after the injury but can occur later on, making it essential for pet owners to monitor their dogs after any head trauma.
Toxicity and Poisoning
One of the more preventable causes of seizures in dogs is their exposure to toxins and poisonous substances. With all the chemicals present in your house, your dog might be able to access a few of these on one of its adventures. Common toxins include chocolate, garlic, caffeine, certain plains, pesticides, human medications, and cleaning chemicals.
Toxicity from these chemicals and substances can lead to severe neurological symptoms, including seizures. If you suspect poisoning, it's important to seek veterinary help immediately before anything gets worse.
Brain Tumors
Another cause of seizures in dogs is brain tumors. This condition is particularly more common with older dogs. While these can be benign or malignant, both types of tumors can exert pressure on your dog’s brain. By doing so, they cause seizures and other neurological conditions that can disrupt your dog’s normal routine and activity.
How to Diagnose Seizures in Dogs?
When a dog experiences seizures, determining the main cause is key to treatment. Since seizures can stem from a variety of factors, a thorough diagnosis is required to identify the underlying issue. This process usually involves multiple steps, including physical exams, tests, and other technological means.
Veterinary Examination
The first step in diagnosing the cause of seizures is a comprehensive vet examination. During this exam, our vets will ask about your dog’s medical history, the nature of the seizures, and any patterns you may have noticed. This information will help us toward a diagnosis.
We’ll conduct a physical exam to assess your dog’s overall health and look for signs of illness or injury that might contribute to the seizures.
Blood Tests
Blood tests are another way to diagnose the cause of your dog’s seizures. These tests, such as a complete blood count, can help identify any metabolic or bodily issues, such as liver disease or kidney dysfunction, that could be triggering the seizures. Along with these issues, bloodwork can help pinpoint the cause of seizures in your dogs.
Urinalysis and Other Laboratory Tests
A urinalysis may also be conducted to detect compounds from toxins or metabolic disorders that could be the cause to seizures. In some cases, we will may order additional tests to check for infections or inflammatory conditions affecting the brain.
MRI and CT Scans
Along with physical exams and tests, we also provide diagnostic imaging techniques in order to get a full view of your dog’s condition. We use MRIs and CT scans to look for structural problems in your dog’s brain, such as injuries and tumors.
How to Treat Seizures in Dogs?
Treatment for seizures in dogs can range from medications to lifestyle changes or even surgery, depending on the cause. The goal of treatment is to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures, helping your dog live a healthier, more comfortable life.
Anti-Seizure Medications
For many dogs with recurrent seizures, especially those diagnosed with epilepsy, anti-seizure medications are the primary form of treatment. These medications work by stabilizing your dog’s condition and preventing seizures from occurring. Here are some of the most common medications for seizures in dogs:
Phenobarbital
Potassium bromide
Levetiracetam
Zonisamide
Gabapentin
Diazepam
Surgery
In some cases where a structural is the cause of your dog’s seizures, surgery will be the option. This option is typically reserved for dogs diagnosed with brain tumors or physical trauma that can be surgically corrected. While surgery is a more invasive treatment, it can offer significant improvements in a dog’s quality of life.
Specialized Treatments
When the cause is caused by underlying health conditions, personalized treatment will be the option. Whether it’s through an infection, organ disease, or bodily condition, medications, supplments, and treatments will vary to help control and stabilize your dog’s condition.
How to Respond to Your Dog’s Seizures?
When your dog is experiencing a seizure, be sure to follow these tips on what to do to help your dog recover.
Stay Calm
Your dog is likely unconscious during a seizure, so they won’t be aware of your actions. Be sure to stay calm and take the necessary steps to protect your dog.
Keep Your Dog Safe
Remove any nearby objects or furniture that your dog might bump into or hurt themselves on during the seizure. If your dog is on a couch or bed, gently guide them to the floor so they don’t fall. Always remember to reduce motion and check your dog’s surroundings for anything that might hurt them.
Do Not Touch Your Dog’s Mouth
Despite a common myth, dogs cannot swallow their tongues during a seizure, so there is no need to put your hand in their mouth. In fact, attempting to do so could result in a bite, as dogs may unintentionally clamp their jaws during a seizure.
Time the Seizure
Make sure to track the time of the seizure and how long it will last. This is important to help our vets quickly diagnose your dog and get straight to treatment. Most seizures last between 30 seconds and two minutes.
If a seizure lasts more than five minutes, or if your dog gets multiple seizures in a row, you should seek immediate veterinary care.
Stay by Your Dog’s Side
Your presence can be reassuring, even though your dog may not be fully aware of you during the seizure. Stay by your dog’s side and try to contact the vet immediately. A quick phone call can mean so much.
Conclusion
If your dog experiences seizures, don’t hesitate to seek veterinary advice. We will work with you to find the best course of action, from diagnosing the root cause to implementing a treatment plan that suits your dog’s needs. Remember, you’re not alone. Noble Vet Clinics is here to help you keep your dog free from anything that can get in the way of its adventures!