General information on Seizures
What to do during a Pet seizure
If a dog or cat is having a seizure, staying calm and focusing on safety can help protect both you and your pet.
Stay calm: Avoid panicking. Staying calm helps you better assist your pet during a seizure.
Time the seizure duration: Check the time; timing is critical. If the seizure lasts longer than five minutes, seek immediate veterinary assistance.
Keep your hands away from your pet's mouth: Do not place your hands near your pet’s mouth. Pets may accidentally bite during a seizure.
Move your pet away from hazards: If needed, gently pull the legs to move your pet away from stairs or sharp corners.
Clear the area: Keep other pets and children at a safe distance.
Give seizure medication if prescribed: If your pet has been prescribed seizure medication, give it exactly as directed.
What to do after a Pet seizure
What you do after a dog or cat has a seizure can help your veterinary team understand seizure patterns and decide on next steps.
Record the seizure: Log the event in a seizure diary (and note the time and duration). Tracking seizures helps monitor your pet’s condition over time.
Know when it’s urgent: Seek urgent veterinary care if your pet has had three or more seizures in the last 24 hours, or if a single seizure lasted five minutes or more.
Monitor for changes: Note any increase in seizure frequency or severity, and contact your veterinarian for guidance.
Expect a recovery period: It’s common for pets to be disoriented or exhibit abnormal behavior for several hours after a seizure.
Avoid home cooling methods: Do not use ice packs or water baths, as these can dangerously lower body temperature. If you suspect overheating, visit a veterinarian immediately.
Understanding the Causes of Seizures in Pets
Seizures in dogs and cats aren’t a disease in and of themselves. They’re a symptom that something has disrupted normal brain function. There are many possible causes of seizures in pets, and they’re often grouped into three broad categories: metabolic disease, structural brain disease, and idiopathic epilepsy.
Metabolic Disease
Metabolic diseases are conditions elsewhere in the body that can affect the brain and trigger seizures. Common causes include low blood sugar, toxin exposure, or liver failure. To evaluate metabolic causes of seizures, a veterinarian may ask about possible toxin exposure, run blood tests, and use diagnostics such as an ultrasound when appropriate.
Structural Brain Disease
When the cause is within the brain itself, it can lead to seizures. Structural brain diseases in pets include conditions such as brain tumors, congenital malformations, strokes, autoimmune diseases, and infections. Diagnosing these conditions often requires advanced testing, such as an MRI, a spinal tap, and specific infectious disease testing.
Other neurologic signs, such as incoordination, confusion, or blindness, can suggest that structural brain disease may be the cause of a pet’s seizures.
How Idiopathic Epilepsy Is Diagnosed in Pets
There’s no single test that can confirm idiopathic epilepsy. In many cases, diagnostic tests, such as MRI, return normal results. When a thorough evaluation finds no metabolic or structural cause for a pet’s seizures, idiopathic epilepsy is diagnosed as a diagnosis of exclusion.
In some cases, a dog may have mild seizures, fall within the typical age range, and appear normal between episodes. In that situation, a veterinarian may make a presumptive diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy based on clinical judgment without extensive testing. If seizures become more frequent, more severe, or change in nature, it’s important to reassess whether additional diagnostic testing is needed.
What Causes Idiopathic Epilepsy?
The exact cause of idiopathic epilepsy is unknown, but a genetic link is often suspected. If a pet came from a breeder, it’s important to inform them of the diagnosis.
For more information about managing epilepsy and seizures in pets, please see the resources linked below.
Feline Epilepsy Resources
Canine Epilepsy Resources
Symptoms of Structural Brain Disease
Change in personality
Loss of training
Difficulty staying awake
Difficulty sleeping
Difficulty walking
Dizziness or vertigo
Circling
Blindness
Difficulty eating, drinking, or swallowing
Seizure Medication for pets
Not every dog or cat with seizures needs seizure medication. The decision depends on seizure frequency and severity and on what’s safest for long-term seizure control. If a pet’s seizures are too frequent or severe, discussing anti-seizure medication options with a veterinarian is an important part of managing seizures in pets.
Maintaining a Seizure Log
Keeping a detailed seizure log (or seizure diary) is one of the most helpful tools for managing seizures in dogs and cats. Record each seizure, with the date, time, and duration. It’s also a good idea to include veterinary appointments, blood test results, and other relevant medical updates. A clear seizure log helps a veterinarian track patterns and adjust a seizure care plan when needed.
A seizure log can be as simple as a notebook or a digital option, such as an online calendar. Choose whatever format is easiest for you to update consistently.
Regular Checkups & Lab Work
A veterinarian is an important partner in controlling seizures. That often includes regular checkups and blood tests to monitor medication levels and detect side effects. In general, blood work is recommended after any medication dose change and twice a year as part of routine care.
Keys to a Successful Appointment
Bring your pet’s seizure log.
Bring all medications with you.
When scheduling, ask whether your pet should be fasted and whether appointment timing should be coordinated with medication dosing. Some blood tests require no food for up to eight hours before the appointment, while others require medication to be given at specific times.
When scheduling, ask how long the appointment may take. Some blood tests take several hours to perform.
