Is your pet having a seizure right now?
- Keep them safeMove furniture and sharp objects away and guide them away from stairs. Don’t hold them down or put anything in their mouth.
- Time itNote when it started. Most seizures last 30 to 90 seconds.
- Stay with themSpeak softly and stay with your pet until they’ve fully recovered.
Seek urgent veterinary advice if this is your pet’s first seizure. Go to the nearest emergency vet now if a seizure continues for several minutes or your pet has more than one seizure in 24 hours.
Seizures in dogs
Why do dogs have seizures?
Seizures are one of the most common neurological problems in dogs. A seizure is a sign that something has disturbed the brain’s electrical activity, so the first step is always to look for the cause.
Veterinarians group the causes into three types. Your dog’s age, breed, history and examination help your veterinarian decide which is most likely and which tests to recommend.
Reactive seizures (causes outside the brain)
A problem elsewhere in the body affects how the brain works, such as a toxin (for example snail bait, some insecticides or chocolate), low blood sugar, liver disease including a portosystemic shunt, kidney disease or low calcium. The seizures often stop once the cause is treated.
Structural epilepsy (causes inside the brain)
A problem within the brain itself, such as inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), a brain tumor, a head injury, a stroke or a malformation present from birth. An MRI scan is usually needed to find these causes.
Idiopathic epilepsy (no cause found)
Repeated seizures with no underlying cause found despite a thorough investigation. It’s the most common cause of recurrent seizures in dogs, is thought to be inherited in many breeds and usually starts between 6 months and 6 years of age.
Age matters. When a first seizure happens in a puppy younger than 6 months or a dog older than 6 years, veterinarians look especially carefully for a reactive or structural cause.
Idiopathic epilepsy
Epilepsy in dogs
A dog is said to have epilepsy after at least two seizures more than 24 hours apart that weren’t caused by a short-term problem such as a toxin. Idiopathic epilepsy is diagnosed when no underlying cause is found.
Which dogs are affected?
Any dog can develop epilepsy, but some breeds are more likely to, including Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Labrador and Golden Retrievers, Beagles, Boxers, German Shepherds and Belgian Shepherds.
Many dogs with idiopathic epilepsy are otherwise healthy and behave normally between seizures.
Seizures that need emergency care
Two patterns are emergencies in any dog:
- Cluster seizures: two or more seizures within 24 hours. They’re more common in some larger breeds.
- Status epilepticus: a seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes, or seizures one after another without full recovery in between.
Finding the cause
How seizures in dogs are investigated
The tests depend on your dog’s age, history and examination. A thorough workup rules out treatable causes before idiopathic epilepsy is diagnosed.
- History and examinationYour veterinarian asks about the seizures, your dog’s health and any possible toxins, then performs a physical and neurological examination.
- Blood and urine testsThese check organ function, blood sugar and electrolytes, looking for reactive causes.
- MRI and spinal fluid analysisRecommended when a cause inside the brain is more likely, for example when seizures start before 6 months or after 6 years of age, or the neurological examination is abnormal. Both are done under general anesthesia.
- A diagnosis and a planIf the results are normal and the pattern fits, your veterinarian may diagnose idiopathic epilepsy and discuss whether to start medication.
Treatment
Medication for dogs with epilepsy
Medication doesn’t cure epilepsy, but it can reduce how often seizures happen, how long they last and how severe they are. Veterinarians usually recommend starting long-term medication when a dog has had two or more seizures within 6 months, cluster seizures or status epilepticus, or seizures that are becoming more frequent or severe.
Common first medications for dogs include phenobarbital, levetiracetam, potassium bromide and, in some countries, imepitoin. Your veterinarian may also prescribe a rescue medication to give at home if a seizure is prolonged or a cluster starts.
Never stop or change your dog’s anti-seizure medication without talking to your veterinarian.
- Stopping suddenly can trigger severe seizures, clusters or status epilepticus.
- Don’t double a dose to make up for a missed one unless your veterinarian tells you to.
- Don’t run out: order repeats several days before you need them.
Read more about treatment
When will your veterinarian start seizure medication?
The guidelines veterinarians follow.
Phenobarbital for dogs with epilepsy
How it works, side effects and blood tests.
MCT oil and dog epilepsy
What the research says about diet.
Diagnosis and treatment
Tests, medication and monitoring.
For pet owners
Living with an epileptic dog
Epilepsy is usually managed rather than cured. Seizures can’t always be stopped completely, but many dogs with epilepsy live happy, full lives with the right plan and support.
- Keep a seizure diary to track how often seizures happen, how long they last and how your dog responds to treatment.
- Give medication at the same times every day, with phone reminders or a pill organizer.
- If seizures happen when no one is home, a pet camera can help you see what happened.
- Know where your nearest emergency hospital is, and keep any rescue medication and instructions handy.
Questions owners ask
Common questions
If your question is about your own dog, your veterinarian is the best person to ask.
Is my dog in pain during a seizure?
Dogs are usually unaware during a generalized seizure and aren’t thought to feel pain. Afterward they can be confused, anxious or tired, so keep things calm and quiet while they recover.
Will my dog’s seizures get worse?
It varies. Some dogs have occasional seizures for years, while in others seizures become more frequent without treatment. A seizure diary helps your veterinarian see the trend.
Can a seizure be life-threatening?
Most single seizures aren’t. Seizures lasting longer than 5 minutes or coming in clusters can be, which is why they need emergency care.
Should I stop my dog’s medication if the seizures stop?
No. Never stop or change anti-seizure medication without talking to your veterinarian. Stopping suddenly can trigger severe seizures.
Can I book a consultation for my dog?
Dr. Dillon provides specialist neurological case consultations for veterinarians rather than direct consultations with pet owners. Your veterinarian can arrange a consultation with him and share your pet’s medical history, clinical findings, and relevant videos to help guide diagnosis and treatment.