How to Help Your Dog Through a Seizure
Watching your dog have a seizure is frightening, but understanding what to do—and what not to do—can make all the difference. Seizures are sudden neurological events that cause involuntary movements, changes in consciousness, and sometimes loss of bowel or bladder control. They can be caused by epilepsy, toxins, metabolic disorders (like low blood sugar), liver disease, brain abnormalities, infections, or accidental poisoning.
Recognizing Seizure Types
Most seizures in dogs fall into one of these categories:
- Generalized (grand mal) seizures: Violent spasms affecting all four limbs, loss of consciousness, frothing at the mouth.
- Focal seizures: Twitching of an eyelid, lip, or ear; odd behaviors like "fly-biting" or jaw snapping; usually no loss of consciousness.
- Psychomotor seizures: Sudden unusual behavior (e.g., attacking imaginary objects), repeated each time.
If your dog has more than one seizure in 24 hours (cluster seizures) or a seizure lasting longer than five minutes, it's an emergency. These situations can quickly become life-threatening due to overheating and risk of brain damage.
What To Do During a Seizure
- Stay calm. Your pet is unconscious during the episode and won't remember it. Panicking won't help either of you.
- Move your dog away from hazards. Gently pull them by the collar, scruff, or hind legs—never near the mouth or head—to avoid getting bitten. Remove sharp or dangerous objects nearby.
- Don't put anything in their mouth. Dogs can't swallow their tongue during a seizure. Trying to force something in risks injury to both you and your pet.
- Avoid restraining them. Let the seizure run its course without trying to hold them down or making loud noises.
- If the seizure lasts over five minutes: Try cooling your pet with towels soaked in cool water around the neck, paws, or head (but avoid hypothermia). Overheating is dangerous and needs urgent attention.
The Post-Seizure Phase
Afterward (the postictal phase), dogs may seem disoriented, confused, blind, tired—or even hyperactive—for minutes to hours. Keep them away from stairs and other dangers until they return to normal. If they don't recover promptly or had a long/clustered seizure episode, contact your veterinarian right away.
The Importance of Timing and Recording
TIMING THE SEIZURE IS CRUCIAL! Use your phone's timer if possible. Keep a log noting when seizures happen, how long they last, what happened just before (possible triggers), and any exposure to toxins. This information helps your vet diagnose and manage the condition effectively.
Treatment Options for Dog Seizures
- Mild/first-time seizures: Not all dogs need medication after one episode. Your vet will decide based on frequency and severity.
- Lifelong medication: For frequent (more than once a month), severe/prolonged seizures or cluster episodes—common drugs include phenobarbital, levetiracetam (Keppra), potassium bromide, zonisamide. Never stop these abruptly; it could trigger worse seizures.
- Emergency medications: Some vets prescribe rectal diazepam or intranasal midazolam for home use during emergencies (clusters/long episodes).
- Treating underlying causes: If metabolic imbalances like low blood sugar are responsible, fixing those may resolve the problem.
- Surgery: Rarely needed unless there's an identifiable tumor or brain abnormality causing the seizures.
Lifestyle & Supportive Therapies
- Diets & supplements: Medium-chain triglyceride supplements or ketogenic diets may help some pets; omega-3 fatty acids support brain health. Always consult your vet before making changes!
- Herbal remedies & CBD oil: Valerian root, skullcap, chamomile have calming properties; CBD oil may reduce frequency for some dogs—but only use veterinary-formulated products at approved doses after consulting your vet about interactions with other meds.
- Nondrug therapies: Acupuncture/acupressure/massage may relax the nervous system when combined with standard treatment; oxygen therapy can help if breathing is affected post-seizure (veterinary guidance required).
- Avoid triggers & reduce stress: Loud noises and routine changes can set off sensitive pets. Keep their environment calm and predictable—pheromone diffusers and soothing music may also help.
Cautions & Preventive Steps
- Avoid self-medicating with human drugs/supplements unless prescribed by a veterinarian—many are toxic for dogs!
- Avoid known toxins: chocolate, xylitol sweetener, antifreeze, slug/snail bait, caffeine, certain human medications—all can trigger seizures in pets if ingested.
- If you own a breed prone to epilepsy (Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Labradors etc.), regular checkups are especially important. Dogs diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy shouldn't be bred due to heritability risks.
