When Your Pet Has a Seizure: What to Do
Seizures in pets can come on suddenly. If your dog or cat undergoes a seizure, it’s a frightening event. Follow Dr. Byers’ steps to be prepared in the event your pet experiences a seizure.
Pets know when they are about to go into a seizure. Typically, they will exhibit some of the following abnormal behavior:
- Pacing
- Panting more than usual
- Getting to ground level
What to Expect to During a Pet’s Seizure
Knowing what to expect can help you stay calm and understand how to help your pet.
- Seizures can last from 30 seconds to 35 minutes.
- After the seizure itself, your pet will enter a wind-down phase. You will see your pet trying to get up and achieve balance. They may still be panting or hyperventilating. They may run and hide until they are feeling normal.
- Watch for a second seizure. If this happens, it’s called a cluster seizure, and you pet needs to be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
What You Can Do During Your Pet’s Seizure
Watching pets suffer can make us feel helpless, but there are some important steps you can take during your pet’s seizure that will help keep them safe and treat them afterwards:
- Although cats and dogs usually get down from heights themselves before having a seizure, if your pet starts seizing while on the furniture, move them to the floor to prevent falls.
- Avoid your pet’s mouth at all costs. Your pet can’t control their jaw muscles at this time, and you don’t want to get bitten.
- Time the seizure, so your veterinarian will know how long it lasted.
- If possible, film the seizure, so your veterinarian can observe the symptoms and evaluate the severity.
- Once the seizure is over, call your veterinarian right away.
What Your Veterinarian Will Do After Your Pet Has a Seizure
When you bring your pet in after the seizure, these are the basic first steps your veterinarian will take:
- Run bloodwork
- Check electrolytes for abnormalities
- Watch the video you took or ask you to describe what happened
- Evaluate your pet’s condition, based on the above information
Video: What to Do if Your Pet Has a Seizure
Watch the video: Video: What to Do if Your Pet Has a Seizure
If you have questions or concerns about your pet and seizures, contact us.