Seizures can be a frightening experience for any pet owner, especially when they happen unexpectedly. Whether your dog or cat collapses, convulses, or simply acts abnormally, understanding what seizures are, what causes them, and how to respond can make a major difference in both your pet’s well-being and your peace of mind.
What Are Seizures?
A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled burst of electrical activity in the brain. It typically begins in one area (called the seizure focus) and spreads to other regions. This abnormal activity can cause changes in behavior, movement, sensation, or consciousness, and may present differently across pets.
While many people picture a seizure as dramatic convulsions, seizures can appear in various forms depending on the type and the individual pet. Classically, seizures appear as convulsions defined by the body stiffening and rhythmic jerking and may be accompanied by other signs such as drooling, urination, or biting. However, any involuntary, abnormal behavior could potentially be classified as a seizure.
Types of Seizures in Pets
Here are the main types of seizures in pets:
- Generalized (Grand Mal) Seizures This is the most common type in pets and involves the entire body. You'll see tonic (stiffening) and clonic (jerking) movements, often with loss of consciousness and inadvertent urination or defecation.
- Focal (Partial or Petit Mal) Seizures These affect only part of the body. Consciousness may or may not be impaired. A common example is a 'chewing gum' fit, where the pet appears to be chewing with no stimulus, often with frothing at the mouth.
- Psychomotor Seizures These are a type of focal seizure that manifests as odd, repetitive behaviors or hallucinations rather than convulsions. Pets may appear disoriented, stare into space, or show signs of aggression or fear. They may even stop recognizing family members. A classic example of a psychomotor seizure is fly-biting, where a pet snaps at the air when nothing is there.
How Do I Know If My Pet Had a Seizure?
While generalized seizures are easy to spot, other types can be subtle or go unwitnessed. The good news is that most of the time, pets that have unwitnessed seizures are not in imminent danger. If you observe an unusual episode, try to video it but only if your pet is in a safe environment. Videos can be incredibly helpful for your veterinarian when making a diagnosis.
Seizure vs. Fainting (Syncope) Fainting from heart-related issues can sometimes be confused with seizures. Here are key differences:
- Before the event: Seizures are often preceded by an "aura," or subtle behavioral changes like clinginess or withdrawal. This is also known as the pre-ictal phase, which comes from the Latin word “ictus”, meaning “a stroke” or “a blow”. Fainting is usually triggered by excitement, exercise, barking, or eating.
- After the event: Seizures are followed by a post-ictal phase where pets may be confused, wobbly, or temporarily blind for minutes to hours. In contrast, pets who faint usually recover within seconds and act completely normal.
Common Causes of Seizures in Pets
Seizures may stem from a variety of conditions:
- Idiopathic epilepsy: The most common cause in dogs, usually diagnosed between 6 months and 6 years old when no underlying cause is found.
- Toxins: Ingestion of certain plants, chemicals, or household substances.
- Metabolic disorders: Conditions like low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), kidney or liver disease, or electrolyte imbalances.
- Infections: Inflammation or infection of the brain (e.g., meningitis, encephalitis, parasites). These are more common in pets under 6 months.
- Brain tumors or trauma: Often suspected in pets over 8 years old presenting with first-time seizures.
- Genetic predisposition: Certain breeds are more prone to seizure disorders.
Recognizing the Signs of a Seizure
Seizure symptoms may include:
- Muscle stiffness or rhythmic jerking
- Collapse or paralysis
- Drooling or foaming at the mouth
- Paddling limbs or tongue chewing
- Loss of consciousness
- Unusual behavior like staring, disorientation, or snapping at the air
Seizures may last from a few seconds to several minutes. Afterward, pets often enter a post-ictal phase marked by confusion, unsteadiness, or temporary blindness.
What to Do During a Seizure
Seizures may seem scary, but you can help your pet get through them safely by following these steps:
- Stay calm: Your pet is not aware of what’s happening.
- Keep them safe: Move furniture or other hazards out of the way.
- Don’t restrain them: Let the seizure run its course.
- Time the episode: Seizures lasting more than 5 minutes require immediate veterinary care.
- Comfort them after: Speak gently and offer a calm environment as they recover.
Never put your hand in your pet’s mouth during a seizure. They won’t swallow their tongue (that’s a myth) and they may unintentionally bite you.
When Is a Seizure an Emergency?
Not all seizures are emergencies, such as isolated ones, but some situations require immediate veterinary care:
- A seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes (status epilepticus)
- Multiple seizures in a row without full recovery in between (status epilepticus)
- More than three seizures in 24 hours (cluster seizures) Both status epilepticus and cluster seizures are serious and life-threatening without treatment.
Seizure Treatment and Management
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and the frequency/severity of the seizures. The four most common anti-seizure medications used in dogs are:
- Phenobarbital
- Potassium bromide
- Levetiracetam (Keppra)
- Zonisamide
If one medication doesn’t offer enough control, two or more may be combined. Each has its pros and cons, and your vet will help determine the best plan based on effectiveness, ease of administration, and your pet’s health, lifestyle, and tolerance to side effects.
Routine check-ups and bloodwork are essential to monitor the effectiveness and safety of treatment.
When should you start medication?
According to a 2016 consensus from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, medication should be considered if:
- Seizures occur in clusters (more than three in 24 hours)
- There are two or more isolated seizures in six months
- A single seizure lasts five minutes or longer
- The seizure or post-ictal phase is severe
- There is a visible brain lesion on MRI, CT, or X-ray
- The pet has a history of brain trauma or injury
Ruby Vet Can Help Manage Your Pet's Seizures
Seizures can be scary, but they don’t have to define your pet’s life. With the right knowledge and support, many pets with seizure disorders live happy, healthy lives.
If you suspect your pet has had a seizure, contact your veterinarian promptly for an evaluation and personalized care plan. And if it happens after hours, Ruby Veterinary Urgent Care is here to help, whether it’s your pet’s first seizure or part of a chronic condition.
