When a dog has a seizure or a convulsion, it causes the animal to lose control of his or her body as the muscles flex and contract rapidly. Normally, seizures are not life-threatening, but they can be a dangerous health concern. Seizures can be an indication of a serious health concern, such as epilepsy. This is an illness which causes the dog to have frequent seizures that are not of a system origin.
Sometimes, seizures are very obvious when a dog is shaking on the ground. Other times, they appear subtly. When a dog twitches, eliminates urine or feces unintentionally, or becomes dizzy, these can all be signs of a seizure. Dogs suffering a seizure may vomit or may become disoriented for some time following the seizure. After your pet has had several instances of this nature, you will be able to easily identify when your animal is going through a seizure and how to work through this issue.
If your pet has convulsions, they may be due to low blood sugar levels or liver disease. Also, they may be because of poor circulation to the brain or due to a calcium deficiency. Sometimes brain tumors can also cause convulsions and seizures, which can eventually lead to serious issues. Dogs that are under the age of 8 can also develop epilepsy frequently. The underlying cause of epilepsy in dogs has never been identified, but the seizures do respond well to treatment and the condition can easily be cured with the help of a skilled veterinarian.
If you suspect that your animal has epilepsy, you should take the pet to the doctor promptly for treatment. Also, you may want your vet to examine your pet's blood sugar levels to see if this is partially contributing to the seizures.
If your dog is having a seizure, approach with caution. Some dogs will lash out because they are not in control of their body at the time of the accident. It is essential that you don't panic when you are dealing with a seizing dog. Instead, you will want to avoid putting your hands near the dogs mouth, and will try and get the dog's attention. Note the time that the seizure occurred and the way that your pet was acting before the seizure, so that you will be able to better identify the situation in the future.
If a seizure is in full effect, pull the animal away from anything that could be harmful, such as a fireplace, a space heater, or a pool. Get a blanket or towel and rap the dog in the blanket or surrounding him or her with cushions to protect the animal from flailing and getting hurt. When the seizure stops, unwrap the dog from the towels. Wrapping up and then unwrapping the dog can help to reduce your pet's chance of going into hyperthermia.
If the seizure concludes within four minutes, then turn off lights as your animal may be sensitive to hem and instead speak soothingly to the dog. If the seizure goes on for more than four minutes, it is important to take the dog to the vet immediately. Wrap your dog loosely in a blanket and rush him or her to a local vet for inspection. Your veterinarian may decide to perform a chemistry panel, a liver function test, a CBC, or advanced imaging of the brain to diagnose the origin of the seizure. If necessary, your vet may prescribe certain medications to help keep the seizures under control. Call a local vet today if you want more information on seizures and your pet.