What to Do

Seizures can be scary and confusing, but are quite common in pets. Most pet parents don’t know what to do when their pets are experiencing a seizure.

A seizure is a physical reaction that results from neurological issues in pets. It manifests in rigorous shaking and uncontrollable muscle activity that lasts about a minute or two. Your pet could experience a single seizure or several seizures at regular intervals.

Call us at Alum Rock Animal Hospital for quality medical attention if your pet suddenly has a seizure. Here’s more on what to do when your dog has a seizure.

What to Do When Your Pet Has a Seizure

There’s little you can do to stop your pet from having a seizure, especially once it has already begun. However, there are a few ways to keep you and your pet safe and comfortable during and after the seizure. They include:

• Avoid touching, shaking, or tightly holding your pet during the seizure. During the seizure, your pet could make inadvertent moves and unknowingly scratch or bite you.
• Keep your pet cool. A seizure can cause a spike in your pet’s body temperature. After the seizure, place a damp wash cloth or blanket over your pet’s feet.
• Hold and comfort your pet. After a seizure, your pet could appear confused and sometimes scared. Comfort and reassure them by wrapping and holding him.
• Turn off the lights. Bright lights, loud music, or the TV can trigger or worsen seizures. Turn these off to reduce background stimulation which could prolong a seizure in your pet.
• Let the pet sleep. Your pet will feel tired after a seizure due to how intense the fit can be on his body. Sleep allows your pet to calm down and rest.
• Get him something to eat or drink. After a seizure, a snack or some water can help your pet re-energize.
• Time the seizures. Timing the seizure is crucial information to give to the vet because it informs how severe the situation generally is.

A normal seizure lasts about a minute. If your pet has a single seizure for longer than five minutes or your dog has several seizures in a short span of time, call the nearest vet immediately for pet emergency care.

Causes of Seizures in Pets

Abnormal activity in the brain can lead to a seizure. Despite how common seizures are among dogs, they can cause fear and anxiety in you and your pet, especially if they happen for the first time.

Understanding how to respond to a seizure equips you with the tools to keep your pet safe and comfortable. But first, below are some culprits behind seizures in pets.

• Epilepsy
• Low blood sugar
• Anemia
• Liver disease
• Head trauma
• Poisoning
• Heatstroke
• Calcium deficiency
• Brain tumor
• High or low blood pressure
• Kidney disease
• Stroke

Despite how dramatic a seizure may look to you, it’s not painful for your pet. Your dog may appear startled, not because he has been in pain, but because he does not comprehend what happened.

Visit our animal hospital for regular pet care and medical checkups to ensure your pet gets attention for any underlying health issues.

Pet Seizures: Final Thoughts

Seeing a veterinarian Alum Rock Animal Hospital can help find out and ultimately eliminate the underlying cause of seizures for your pet. Contact us today and schedule an appointment.