You’ve had your hospice appointment, have a plan in place, and have been in touch with the veterinary hospice team. You and your family know what to watch for, and you’ve decided on your “lines in the sand.” Even with thorough planning, emergencies can still happen. We will discuss some common neurological emergencies in our hospice pets and how to respond.
Whether seizures are a new occurrence or they are a part of your pet’s diagnosis, they can be scary! They happen suddenly with little warning, and many people feel helpless.
What does a seizure look like? Seizures come in many forms. The most well-recognized is the grand mal seizure, which involves the entire body. During this type of seizure, you may notice full-body shaking, rigidity in the limbs, or paddling motions in the legs. Your pet may lose control of their bladder or bowels, and you can’t “wake them up” from the seizure. Other types of seizures may involve just one part of the body but still generally have rhythmic movement that can’t be stopped by distracting them.
My pet is having a seizure! What can I do right now? Unfortunately, there aren’t many things to do during a seizure. Make sure your pet is away from stairs and any other immediate dangers. Speak softly to your pet during the seizure. Please do NOT put your hand or any other object in their mouth.
The seizure is over; now what? Once a seizure ends, your pet may still seem “off.” This is called the post-ictal period. During this phase, your pet may wobble, act scared, or not immediately recognize familiar faces. In this phase, the best thing to do is to keep your pet in a quiet area, away from anything they can fall over. Most pet parents want to comfort their pet after a seizure physically; instead, move slowly and speak softly, as pets are often scared and can lash out unintentionally. During this time, you can also record how long the seizure lasted and what was happening when the seizure started.
Should I go to the emergency vet? This depends on your comfort level and knowledge of your pet. However, there are a few parameters that require urgent or emergency care:
* A seizure lasting more than 5 minutes (not including the post-ictal period)
* Two or more seizures in 24 hours
* A seizure that causes difficulty breathing, or if you notice blue or purple gum or tongue color
* The inability to rouse your pet after the seizure
Vestibular episodes are often confused with seizures at first and can be just as scary and overwhelming for pet owners.
What is a vestibular episode, and what does it look like? Vestibular episodes can manifest in various ways, but pet parents commonly notice three things: drunken walking or loss of balance, a head tilt, and rapid eye movements (nystagmus). These events have no specific cause, although they are seen most frequently in elderly dogs. Occasionally, a vestibular episode can be caused by an ear infection or a problem with the brain itself. In rare cases, these episodes can last a few days to a few weeks.
How can I help my pet through a vestibular episode? Unfortunately, there is not a straightforward cure for a vestibular episode. If it is secondary to an ear infection, you can treat the ear infection. Otherwise, the best thing to do is adapt your environment to your pet. Create a safe space for your pet. Ensure there is a place with soft bedding and traction to compensate for loss of balance and falls.
Avoid loud sounds, abrupt movements, or changes in light; while these may not have been a problem before, a dog experiencing a vestibular episode can be more easily spooked.
Assist your pet with walking if needed. Many pets experiencing a vestibular episode often have concurrent mobility problems, making this a struggle. Using a rolled-up towel under the hips or a commercial product like a Help ‘Em Up harness allows pet owners to assist their pet with moving and going outside. For cats, a low-profile litter box can be helpful.
Make food and water accessible. During an episode, it may be best to bring food and water dishes to the safe space created previously to limit the amount of walking. Your pet may need assistance eating or drinking, which may look like hand feeding or holding bowls close to their face.
Should I go to the emergency vet? Generally, emergency vet care is not needed for a vestibular episode, but some things require urgent or emergent care:
* Extreme agitation or vocalization. If your pet cannot settle down, they may require emergency care to prevent harming themselves.
* Injuries from a vestibular episode
* Worsening of symptoms rather than improving over time
* Vomiting or prolonged inappetence (more than 24 hours)
Should you need guidance with your senior pet's neurological issues, our telehospice or veterinary hospice services can help explain how to care for your pet while preserving their dignity and comfort.