Dog Behaviour After Seizure: A Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery

Understanding dog behavior after a seizure can be a challenging and worrying experience for pet owners. Dogs can exhibit a range of behaviors following a seizure, including confusion, disorientation, and lethargy.

Some dogs may appear to be in a trance-like state after a seizure, while others may become agitated or restless. This is often due to the temporary disruption of normal brain function caused by the seizure.

In the immediate aftermath of a seizure, it's essential to keep your dog calm and secure to prevent any potential harm. This can be achieved by providing a quiet, safe space for your dog to recover.

After a seizure, some dogs may experience a period of heightened sensitivity to sounds and sights, which can be managed with gentle care and patience.

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Some foods can trigger seizures in dogs, including chocolate, caffeine, and raw bread dough. These foods can be toxic to dogs and lead to seizures.

Chocolate is particularly hazardous, as it contains a compound called theobromine that can be toxic to dogs. Caffeine, found in coffee and other beverages, can also cause seizures in dogs.

In addition to food triggers, certain health problems can lead to seizures in dogs. These include infection or inflammation of the brain, cancer affecting the brain, and head trauma.

Dogs with primary epilepsy, a condition where the underlying cause of seizures is unknown, are more likely to experience seizures. This condition is most common in young dogs, typically developing between 1 to 4 years old.

Some breeds are at a higher risk for developing primary epilepsy, including Schnauzers, Basset Hounds, and German Shepherds.

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Symptoms of seizures in dogs can be quite varied and sometimes subtle.

Partial or focal seizures only affect a distinct region on one side of the brain.

Hallucinations that lead a dog to snarl at nothing or bite at the air can be a sign of focal seizures.

Focal seizures can also cause a dog's hackles to stand on end, dilated pupils, or sudden issues with mobility and coordination.

Generalized seizures, on the other hand, affect both sides of the brain and are often more noticeable.

Muscle contractions, jerking, or a sudden collapse and loss of consciousness are common symptoms of generalized seizures.

If your dog's initial seizures are not treated, they can progress into generalized seizures.

It's essential to pay attention to your dog's behaviors and symptoms, and to notify your vet if you notice any unusual signs.

Chocolate can cause an allergic reaction in some dogs, but it's not typically referred to as an allergy. It's more like a toxin that affects their behavior.

Caffeine is another substance that can trigger an adverse reaction in dogs, even in small amounts. It's often found in coffee, tea, and some medications.

Raw bread dough can also cause problems for dogs, as it can expand in their stomach and lead to a range of symptoms.

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The artificial sweetener xylitol is highly toxic to dogs and can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar and even seizures.

Too much salt can be toxic to dogs, and it's not just table salt that's the problem - seawater and modeling clay can also contain high levels of salt.

These foods and substances can be toxic to dogs, so it's essential to keep them out of reach.

Seizures in dogs can be caused by a variety of health problems, including infection or inflammation of the brain, cancer affecting the brain, and head trauma.

Some common causes of seizures in dogs include hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), liver disease, hypocalcemia (low blood calcium levels), and kidney failure.

Dogs can also experience seizures due to exposure to certain substances, such as lead toxicity, organophosphate toxicity, mycotoxins from fungi, high levels of caffeine, and certain recreational drugs like methamphetamine.

Other possible causes of seizures in dogs include antifreeze poisoning, hydrocephalus (a buildup of fluids in brain cavities), and portosystemic shunt (a congenital blood vessel abnormality).

In some cases, the underlying cause of seizures may be unknown, and veterinarians may diagnose the dog with primary epilepsy or idiopathic epilepsy.

The following breeds are at a higher-than-average risk for developing primary epilepsy:

It's worth noting that some causes of seizures are more common at certain life stages than others, such as hydrocephalus and hypoglycemia in puppies, and brain cancer in older pets.

Your dog's veterinarian will need to look for underlying health problems that could have caused the seizure with a thorough health history, physical exam, and neurological exam. This will probably be followed by blood work, a urinalysis, and a fecal exam.

The veterinarian may also recommend specialized laboratory tests, taking a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for analysis, or an MRI or CT scan. If your dog has had a seizure for the first time, it's essential to see a veterinarian as soon as possible.

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If your dog has more than one seizure per month, or experiences clusters of seizures, or grand mal seizures that are severe or prolonged in duration, treatment usually begins. The two most commonly used medications to treat seizures in dogs are phenobarbital and potassium bromide.

Here are some common reasons why veterinarians prescribe anti-seizure medications:

Once anticonvulsant medication is started, it must be given for life. There is evidence that, if anticonvulsant medication is started and then discontinued, the dog may have a greater risk of developing more severe seizures in the future.

Your vet will do a thorough physical exam to check for any underlying health issues.

They'll ask you about your dog's health, including whether your dog was injured recently or ate or drank anything unusual.

Blood and pee tests may be done to look for problems with your dog's heart, liver, kidney, blood sugar, or electrolyte levels.

An EKG may also be performed to check for heart problems.

In some cases, a CT scan or MRI may be done to detect brain lesions.

A sample of the fluid surrounding your dog's brain and spinal cord may be taken to look for any abnormalities.

If your vet finds that a toxic substance or other medical condition caused the seizure, they'll treat your dog for that.

If your dog has idiopathic epilepsy, your vet may prescribe medicines to control the seizures.

It's essential to contact your vet if your dog shows signs of having a seizure, as short seizures can still cause brain damage.

Your vet will advise you on the best course of action, which may include bringing your dog in for an examination, depending on the severity of the seizure.

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Diagnosing a seizure in dogs requires a thorough health history, a physical exam, and a neurological exam. These tests help identify any underlying health problems that could have caused the seizure.

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Dogs that have had a seizure for the first time should be seen by a veterinarian. The diagnostic process will involve blood work, a urinalysis, and a fecal exam.

Depending on the results, the veterinarian may also recommend specialized laboratory tests, taking a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for analysis, or an MRI or CT scan.

If your dog has more than one seizure per month, clusters of seizures, or grand mal seizures, treatment usually begins.

Phenobarbital and potassium bromide are the two most commonly used medications to treat seizures in dogs.

Research is ongoing into the use of other anticonvulsants, and newer options like zonisamide (Zonegran) and levetiracetam (Keppra) are becoming more popular.

Combination therapy is often used for dogs that don't respond well to standard treatments.

Once anticonvulsant medication is started, it must be given for life, as discontinuing it may increase the risk of more severe seizures.

Veterinarians will prescribe treatments for any underlying health problems causing the seizures, but anti-seizure medications may be necessary when seizures continue or when a dog has primary epilepsy.

Phenobarbital and potassium bromide are two relatively inexpensive first-line treatments for controlling seizures in dogs.

If those are ineffective, veterinarians can prescribe other anti-seizure medications like zonisamide, levetiracetam, gabapentin, and pregabalin (Lyrica).

Veterinarians may also prescribe diazepam or similar medications for emergency use if a dog experiences a severe seizure.

If your dog has more than one seizure a month, very violent seizures, or seizures that last 5 minutes or longer, they may need anti-seizure medications.

Some breeds, such as border collie, golden retriever, German shepherd, Irish setter, Keeshond, husky, or Saint Bernard, are prone to serious seizures and may need medication.

To minimize the risk of seizures, try to avoid triggers like fatigue, stress, or fireworks.

Here are some alternative treatments that may help:

Always check with your vet before using any alternative treatment on your dog.

If your child has a seizure, stay calm and try to reassure them with soft talking. Avoid touching them, as they may unknowingly bite.

If the seizure lasts more than a couple of minutes, your child may be at risk of overheating. Turn a fan on them and put cold water on their skin to cool them down.

Call your doctor when the seizure ends. If the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes or has several in a row while your child is unconscious, take them to the doctor as soon as possible.

A seizure can be a frightening experience for both you and your dog. Seizures are not painful, but your dog may feel confused and might panic.

Despite their violent appearance, seizures are not typically associated with pain. Your dog may not even be aware of what's happening to them.

Dogs do not swallow their tongues during a seizure, so there's no need to put your fingers or an object into their mouth. This can actually increase the risk of being bitten or injuring your dog.

The most important thing you can do during a seizure is to keep your dog from falling or hurting themselves by knocking objects onto themselves.

Dogs with primary epilepsy or underlying diseases may need to take anti-seizure medications for the rest of their lives.

Your veterinarian will regularly monitor your dog's drug levels and bloodwork to ensure treatment is safe and effective.

The goal of treatment is to reduce seizures to a level where they don't interfere with your dog's quality of life, rather than eliminating them entirely.

Dogs with primary epilepsy or those that continue to have seizures despite treating underlying diseases often need to take anti-seizure medications for the rest of their lives.

The goal of treatment isn't necessarily to eliminate seizures, but rather to reduce them to a level where they don't interfere with a dog's quality of life.

Most dogs with idiopathic epilepsy will have their symptoms controlled with medication.

Your veterinarian will need to regularly monitor your dog's drug levels and bloodwork to ensure that treatment is as safe and effective as possible.

Humane euthanasia may be recommended for dogs who are having seizures due to specific causes, such as a brain tumor, especially as other symptoms develop.

This may be a difficult decision for pet parents, but it's often made with the dog's best interests in mind.

Putting a bell on your dog's collar can make it easier to hear a seizure when it occurs, allowing for easier intervention.

If you're dealing with a mental health crisis, the first thing to do is reach out to a trusted friend or family member for support. Having a strong support system can make a huge difference in your recovery.

Reaching out to a crisis helpline or text line can also be a lifesaver, with many services available 24/7, such as the National Crisis Helpline.

Taking care of your physical health is crucial during this time, so make sure to eat nutritious food, stay hydrated, and get enough sleep.

Engaging in relaxing activities like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises can help calm your mind and reduce stress.

Creating a safety plan with a mental health professional can help you prepare for future crises and prevent harm to yourself or others.

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