How Do I Know If My Dog Has Had A Seizure? Your Carmel Veterinarians Explain Dog Seizures
One of the most frequent neurological problems I see in dogs are seizures. As one of your Carmel veterinarians, I want dog owners to be aware and recognize the symptoms of dog seizures. What are the signs and symptoms of a seizure in the dog?
- loss of consciousness
- convulsions and contractions of all the muscles in the body
- some dogs will become stiff and extend their legs or paddle their legs during a seizure; others can have parital seizures with facial twitching
- change in mental awareness from unresponsiveness to hallucinations
- involuntary urination, defecation, and/or salivation
- sudden behavioral changes such as circling, not recognizing the owner, aggression, etc…
Dog seizures can last just a few seconds up to several minutes. A dog seizure lasting more than 5 minutes needs to be seen by our Carmel veterinarians right away. Try to keep tract of how long the seizures last with a timer. They often feel much longer than they actually are. Your Carmel veterinarians will need this information to help determine the best course of treatment for the your dog’s seizures.
Is my dog experiencing any pain during a seizure? Although seizures in dogs can be frightening for us to witness, your Carmel veterinarians will tell you that your beloved pet is not experiencing any pain–only confusion. Your dog will not swallow its tongue so do not attempt to put your fingers in its mouth; this is a good way to get bitten by your dog. The most important to make sure your dog doesn’t injure itself by hitting their head or falling down the stairs. So use a pillow or blanket to help prevent your dog from being injured. Keep the environmental dark and calm afterwards to help prevent cluster seizures.
What is causing my dog to have a seizure? Does my dog have epilepsy? The most common cause of dog seizures is epilepsy. Other common causes are organ failure, brain tumors, and toxicities. It is very important to get your dog to our Carmel veterinarians to determine the cause of the seizure and plan the best course for treatment and prevention.
For more information on our Caring Hands Compassionate Hearts, click on this link to your Carmel Veterinarians.
