Watching your dog experience a seizure can be one of the most frightening moments for any pet owner. The sudden loss of control, unusual movements, and your dog's confusion afterward can leave you feeling helpless and uncertain about what to do next.
Dog seizures range from brief, mild episodes to serious medical emergencies requiring immediate veterinary attention. Knowing when to call an emergency vet—and what to do while waiting for help—could make a critical difference in your dog's recovery and long-term health.
Top Questions About Dog Seizures
Is My Dog's Seizure an Emergency?
Dog seizures lasting more than five minutes require emergency care. This condition can cause brain damage or overheating. Multiple seizures within 24 hours (cluster seizures) also need quick attention, even if each seizure is brief.
Call an emergency veterinary clinic right away if your dog's seizure continues beyond five minutes or if they have more than one seizure in a day. When in doubt, it's always better to call for guidance rather than wait.
What Should I Do While My Dog Is Seizing?
Keep your dog away from furniture, stairs, or other hazards where they might hurt themselves. Never put your hands near your dog's mouth during a seizure, as they cannot control their jaw movements.
Time the seizure with your phone or watch, as duration is crucial information for the veterinarian. Stay calm and speak in a soft, reassuring voice until the seizure ends.
What If the Seizure Lasts More Than Five Minutes?
Seizures lasting beyond five minutes can lead to dangerous overheating, brain damage, or even death. This is a true emergency requiring quick veterinary care.
Call an emergency clinic immediately and follow their guidance for safe transport. The veterinarian may need to give medication to stop the seizure and prevent further complications.
Could This Be Something Other Than a Seizure?
Some conditions can look similar to seizures but have different causes. Fainting might appear seizure-like but typically happens due to heart issues rather than brain activity.
Unlike seizures, fainting episodes don't usually include paddling limbs or post-episode confusion. Balance problems can cause loss of coordination but don't include the rhythmic muscle movements seen in seizures.
Why Dog Seizures Happen
Dog seizures happen when abnormal electrical activity occurs in the brain. The most common cause is epilepsy, especially in dogs between 6 months and 6 years old. This means the seizures happen without an identifiable underlying cause.
Other potential triggers include toxin exposure, head injuries, brain tumors, liver or kidney problems, or low blood sugar. Some breeds have genetic tendencies toward seizures, including Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and Beagles.
A veterinarian can help determine the cause through blood work and possibly other tests. Understanding the underlying reason helps guide appropriate treatment and management strategies.
Spotting Mild Cases
A single, brief seizure that lasts less than two minutes may not require an emergency visit if your dog recovers completely afterward. These mild episodes typically involve muscle twitching, paddling of limbs, and temporary confusion that clears up within 15-30 minutes.
Call your regular veterinarian to schedule an appointment for evaluation, even after a mild seizure. First-time seizures should always be discussed with a veterinarian, as they may indicate an underlying condition that needs attention.
Recognizing Serious Cases
Certain seizure situations demand quick emergency care. Seizures lasting more than five minutes, multiple seizures within 24 hours, or seizures in a dog with no prior history require urgent attention.
Other concerning signs include seizures in puppies under six months, seizures in senior dogs with no previous episodes, or seizures accompanied by difficulty breathing or blue-tinged gums. Dogs that remain extremely disoriented for more than 30 minutes after a seizure also need quick evaluation.
What To Do
Step 1: Protect Your Dog From Injury
Move objects away from your seizing dog to prevent injury. Keep other pets away and ensure your dog isn't near stairs or sharp furniture edges. Place soft cushions or towels around them if possible, but avoid restraining them.
Step 2: Record the Seizure's Duration
Note the exact start time of the seizure using your phone or watch. This information helps veterinarians assess the severity of the episode. If possible, take a brief video to show the veterinarian, as this can help with diagnosis.
Step 3: Call Ahead to the Emergency Clinic
Contact an emergency veterinary clinic before transporting your dog. Describe the seizure's duration, your dog's symptoms, and any relevant medical history. The staff can prepare for your arrival and advise whether quick transport is necessary.
Step 4: Transport Safely if Needed
Once the seizure has stopped, transport your dog carefully to the veterinary clinic. Keep the car quiet and cool during transport. Place your dog on a flat surface or in their crate if they're still disoriented to prevent falls or injury.
Potential Life-Threatening Conditions
A seizure lasting more than five minutes can cause brain damage, dangerous overheating, or even death. This condition requires quick medical help to stop the seizure activity and prevent permanent damage.
Cluster seizures, where multiple seizures occur within 24 hours, can exhaust your dog and lead to serious complications. Even if each individual seizure is brief, the combined effect can be dangerous. Dogs experiencing either of these conditions need emergency care without delay.
Helping Your Pet Before the Vet Visit
Provide a Calm Environment
After a seizure, minimize stimulation by keeping lights dim and sounds quiet. Speak softly and move slowly around your dog. This helps reduce stress that could potentially trigger another seizure.
Avoid crowding your dog or allowing children or other pets to disturb them. Your dog may be disoriented and need space to recover naturally.
Offer Small Sips of Water
Once your dog is fully alert and able to swallow normally, you may offer small amounts of water. Do not force drinking if your dog seems reluctant. Call your veterinarian for guidance on when to resume normal feeding and drinking.
Never give human medications to try to stop seizures. These can be harmful to dogs and may interfere with veterinary treatment.
Preventing Future Seizures
For dogs diagnosed with epilepsy, consistent medication schedules are crucial. Never skip doses or change the timing without veterinary guidance. Keep a seizure diary noting dates, times, duration, and any potential triggers to share with your veterinarian.
Maintain regular routines for feeding, exercise, and sleep, as changes can sometimes trigger seizures in susceptible dogs. Reduce stress in your dog's environment by providing a quiet space where they can retreat when needed.
We're Here to Help
Our hospitals provide care for dogs experiencing seizures, with teams trained in emergency medicine and neurology. We work closely with your regular veterinarian to ensure ongoing care for your pet.
If your dog has a mild, brief seizure with complete recovery, contact your primary veterinarian for an appointment. For seizures lasting more than five minutes, multiple seizures in 24 hours, or seizures with concerning symptoms, call an emergency veterinary clinic immediately.
If you're not sure whether your dog's situation is an emergency, call us—we can talk you through the situation and help you make the best decision for your pet's health.
Key Takeaways
- Monitor and time every seizure your dog experiences to help veterinarians determine the appropriate treatment approach.
- Call an emergency clinic immediately if the seizure lasts more than five minutes or if your dog has multiple seizures in 24 hours.
- Trust your instincts as a pet parent—if something seems seriously wrong with your dog during or after a seizure, seek veterinary guidance right away.
The information contained in the article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to take the place of the advice of a veterinarian.
