Seizures

Seizures are one of the most frequently reported neurologic conditions in pets, and can affect dogs and cats of all ages. If your pet is affected by seizures, knowing how to manage the problem can help them have a better quality of life.

What conditions can cause seizures in pets?

Seizures are secondary to many medical conditions, including:

• Brain tumors
• Head trauma
• Toxicity
• Viral and bacterial infections
• Congenital malformations
• Heat stroke
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Epilepsy

Diabetic pets can also experience seizures if their blood sugar drops too low and they become hypoglycemic. 

How can seizures affect my pet’s quality of life?

Pets who experience seizures are generally normal in between each episode and suffer few lasting ill effects. However, seizures that cannot be controlled can severely affect your pet’s quality of life. Many pets feel odd before and after a seizure, and may display unusual behaviors, such as urinating and defecating on themselves, or biting family members. They may also harm themselves during a seizure. If a pet has back-to-back seizures or experiences a seizure lasting longer than five minutes, they need emergency help to prevent brain and organ damage.  

How can I manage my pet’s seizures at home?

If your pet suffers from seizures, these management tips may help improve their quality of life:

• Keep a diary — Chart when and where your pet’s seizures occur, how long they last, what your pet was doing prior to the seizure, and how long after the seizure your pet returned to normal. By keeping track, you may be able to identify a pattern and reduce your pet’s exposure to seizure triggers. 
• Keep calm — If your pet has seizures that are triggered by excitement, maintain a calm household as much as possible. 
• Keep quiet — When your pet has a seizure, stay quiet and calm. Ensure your pet cannot be harmed by falling down stairs or off furniture, but otherwise, sit calmly with your pet until the seizure is over. Once your pet is aware again, wrap them in a blanket and keep them warm and quiet.
• Keep a checklist — Create a checklist to ensure your pet receives their anti-seizure medication on time, and no doses are missed. 
• Keep stress to a minimum — Limit your pet’s stress and handle them gently, especially when giving medications.

When should I seek veterinary help for my pet’s seizures?

If your pet has a chronic condition, you should maintain close contact with your family veterinarian about their progress and management. Contact your family veterinarian in these situations:

• If your pet’s seizures become more frequent, or last longer
• If your pet’s seizures become more severe
• If your pet’s seizures do not stop

Your family veterinarian may have additional management tips, and can prescribe anti-seizure medications, prescription diets, and supplements to better manage their condition.

Before your pet’s condition becomes unmanageable, or they begin losing their quality of life, beginning end-of-life care discussions is vital. Learn more about pet hospice, in-home euthanasia, and our telehospice services, or contact a Lap of Love veterinarian in your area, so you can feel fully prepared for this difficult time.