When a dog is experienced a seizurehe is not himself, say Dr. Jon Naussmedical director at Irvine Valley Veterinary Hospital Primary Care & Integrative Medicineand it can be very alarming to see your beloved pet go through something like this.
Symptoms of convulsions in dogs: systemic and local
What does it look like when a dog has a seizure? Seizures are usually classified as generalized or focal.
“A generalized seizure is what most people think of when they think of seizures and describes them as mild to severe,” says Dr. Nauss.
Generalized seizures include symptoms such as:
- sudden and uncontrolled movements
- pronounce
- loss of bowel and/or bladder control
- possibility of loss of consciousness
Partial seizures in dogs are easier to overlook. Dr Nauss explains: “Some pets have partial seizures without their owners even realizing it. “This is usually abnormal movement of the limbs or seizures, usually around the head and face.”
What to do when your dog has a seizure?
If your dog has a seizure, follow these steps:
- Be calm, steady and gentle. “Be extra careful around your dog’s face to make sure you don’t accidentally get bitten,” says Dr. Nauss.
- Clean up the area around your dog. Make sure there are no objects near the pet that could injure them, such as stairs they could fall on or something nearby that could fall on them. And move other pets (and any young children) to another area of the house.
- Record important information. Dr. Nauss suggests: “If possible, try filming the event on your phone. “In addition to indicating how long the event is, it will provide valuable insight to your veterinarian.”
If the dog’s seizures cannot be recorded, write notes Record as much detail as possible:
-
- How long does the episode last?
- Whether your pet loses bladder control
- Whether your pet loses bowel control
- What is happening before the seizure begins?
What to do after a dog has a seizure?
“Dogs go through a “post-convulsive phase where they remain disoriented and appear to be blind for a while,” explains Dr. Nauss.
After a seizure, create a calm, quiet, and safe environment. Turn off the television and music, reduce the lights, and make sure your dog is in a safe space.
Can you prevent a dog from having a seizure?
No, there is no way to prevent a dog from having a seizure, but research shows that downtown May help reduce the frequency of seizures in dogs.
Last year, in a ElleVeterinary Science Clinical trials, 40 percent of dogs in the study have seen a reduction in seizure frequency after being treated with CBD. And in 2019, Scientists at the University of Colorado found that 89 percent of dogs that received CBD in the clinical trial experienced a reduction in seizure frequency.
“It is important to have an in-depth discussion with your veterinarian to make sure your pet avoids taking other medications that can lower the seizure threshold, making it easier for your pet to have seizures. There are additional treatments such as fatty acid supplements and Acupuncture that can help control seizures,” adds Dr. Nauss.
There is a specialized technique called eye compression that can be taught to the pet owner if he sees an impending seizure. This is something that should be discussed in detail with your veterinarian.
For dogs with epilepsy, make sure they take any prescribed medications on a regular schedule.
