Dog Seizures: Signs, Causes, and Immediate Actions
Canine seizures manifest diversely. Recognizing signs enables prompt veterinary care.
Seizure Phases & Signs
| Phase | Signs |
|---|
| Pre-ictal (Aura) | Restlessness, clinginess, hiding, whining, salivating, staring – minutes to hours before |
| Ictal (Seizure) | Focal: Facial twitching, limb jerking, fly-biting, head turning, hypersalivation – consciousness may be preserved.
Generalized (Tonic-Clonic): Collapse, rigidity (tonic), paddling/jerking (clonic), jaw chomping, foaming, urination/defecation, vocalization – unconscious. |
| Post-ictal | Disorientation, pacing, blindness (transient), polydipsia/polyphagia, ataxia, lethargy – minutes to 24+ hours |
Common Causes
- Idiopathic epilepsy: Onset 6 mo – 6 yr, normal interictal neuro exam, no structural/metabolic cause (breed predisposition: Beagle, Labrador, Golden, Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, etc.).
- Structural: Tumor, stroke, trauma, malformation, inflammatory (GME, NME).
- Metabolic: Hepatic encephalopathy (portosystemic shunt), hypoglycemia (insulinoma, toy breeds), electrolyte, renal.
- Toxic: Metaldehyde (snail bait), organophosphates, xylitol, ibuprofen, 5-fluorouracil, lead, permethrin (cats), mycotoxins.
- Infectious: Distemper, rabies, fungal (Crypto, Valley Fever), tick-borne (rare).
Immediate Steps
- Keep calm; note start time.
- Clear area; protect from stairs, sharp objects.
- Do NOT put hands in mouth (bite risk); dogs don't swallow tongues.
- Video the event if safe.
- If >5 min or cluster (≥2 in 24h) → EMERGENCY VET (status epilepticus).
- After: keep quiet, dim lights, offer water when alert.
Veterinary Workup
- CBC, chemistry, bile acids, electrolytes, urinalysis.
- If <1 yr or >6 yr, or abnormal neuro exam → MRI brain + CSF.
- If 6 mo–6 yr, normal exam → idiopathic epilepsy diagnosis of exclusion; may start ASM if frequency warrants.
Treatment
- Phenobarbital, potassium bromide (traditional); levetiracetam, zonisamide, imepitoin (newer, fewer side effects).
- Monitor levels, liver enzymes (PB), CBC.
- Refractory → add-on, diet (ketogenic/MCT), referral.
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