If your dog or cat is having seizures, you probably have questions about those seizures. These are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding seizures and epilepsy in dogs and cats.
What Does the Typical Seizure Look Like?
Several different types of seizures can occur. In the most common type of seizures, your dog or cat will fall to ground and his legs will extend out. You may see muscle tremors and your pet's mouth may snap open and shut. However, other types of seizures can occur that result in a temporary change in your pet's behavior or in staring, snapping or other strange behaviors.
Does My Pet Have Epilepsy if He Has a Seizure?
Not necessarily. There are many different disease conditions that can cause seizures. The term idiopathic epilepsy is reserved for those cases in which the cause of the seizures cannot be located.
Can My Pet Die of a Seizure?
In most cases, seizures are short-lived and your dog or cat will recover once the seizure concludes. However, seizures that do not end within 3-5 minutes are an emergency situation and constant seizure activity can be fatal rapidly. In addition, pets that have clusters of seizures that occur within a short period of time are also at risk.
What Should I Do if My Dog or Cat Has a Seizure?
If your dog or cat has a seizure, move him away from anything that can hurt him (stairs, sharp objects, etc.) and attempt to keep him as calm as possible. Be careful around your pet's mouth as he cannot control his muscle movements during a seizure and can involuntarily injure you.
Any dog or cat that has experienced a seizure should be examined by a veterinarian. If your pet has a short seizure, recovers afterward and seems normal otherwise, you can take your pet to the veterinarian the following day if necessary. However, if your pet has a seizure that lasts longer than 10-15 minutes without stopping or if he has more than two or three seizures in a 24 hour period, he should see a veterinarian immediately for emergency care.
Can Dogs and Cats Swallow Their Tongue During a Seizure?
It is very unlikely that your dog or cat will swallow his tongue during a seizure. It is not recommended to try to hold your pet's tongue during a seizure as it may result in serious injury to you.
Does My Dog or Cat Need Anticonvulsant Medication if He Has Seizures?
That depends on how often your pet has seizures, how severe the seizures are, how long the seizures last and the overall health of your dog and cat. Dogs and cats that have infrequent seizures (less than one seizure per month) may not require medication unless the seizures are especially severe. If in doubt about whether your pet needs medication for his seizures, you should consult your veterinarian.
What Type of Medication Should My Pet Take for His Seizures?
There are numerous medications which may be used to treat and control seizures in dogs and cats. The medication or medications chosen will depend on many factors, including your pet's overall health, your veterinarian's preference of medications, the cost of the medication, how often the medication needs to be dosed in relationship to your ability to keep to the dosing schedule and how well your pet responds to the medication. Often, dosages need to be adjusted or treatment protocols changed to meet the individual needs of your pet.