The brain is an amazing organ. It contains a large number of electrical impulses and trillions of connections, controlling everything in the body. With the large number of connections, it is not surprising that sometimes errors occur in its function. Mistakes like abnormal electrical activity in the brain that causes seizures in pets. Seizures can occur due to a problem outside the brain (metabolic) or a problem inside the brain (tumor). External problems may include ingesting a toxic substance, liver or kidney disease, or electrolyte disorders. If these problems have been ruled out, the next step is to search for a problem within the brain. (Attention to the pet’s history is also important because it indicates whether this problem is hereditary.) Idiopathic epilepsy is a common condition in dogs and some cats that causes them to have frequent seizures. These seizures are unpredictable and can vary in intensity and frequency. Ultimately, brain problems in pets such as encephalitis, stroke, or brain tumors are also potential causes of seizures. Experiencing a seizure can be frightening for you and your pet, but knowing what to look for and how to respond can be helpful.
What is a seizure?
A seizure is a spontaneous disturbance in normal brain function that is accompanied by involuntary muscle contractions. There are 3 phases or stages of a seizure, including the preictal phase, ictal phase, and postictal phase. Symptoms of the preictal phase include neurological signs, restlessness, hiding, and increased salivation. The ictal phase involves shaking of all muscles of the body, particularly in general the animal may lean to one side, its limbs experience involuntary contractions, its head may go back, salivation increases, foam at the mouth may occur, and there may be loss of bladder or bowel control. In the postictal phase, the animal becomes confused and disoriented and may exhibit unsteadiness as it circles. It may also experience a strong feeling of hunger and thirst.
How to tell if a pet has had a seizure?
If you were asked to describe someone who has had a seizure, you would likely first think of someone uncontrollably convulsing or shaking. However, this is not always the case. There are three main categories of seizures.
- Generalized seizures, which are the easiest to diagnose and most common, usually affect the entire body.
- Focal seizures, which only affect part of the brain and the irregular movements resulting from them can be limited to one side of the body or a specific limb.
- Psychomotor seizures, where instead of collapsing or jerking, the animal may begin to repeat a strange behavior.
If your pet has a seizure, it may:
- Become unstable and have difficulty walking or maintaining balance.
- Show biting movements.
- Fall to its side or its body may become stiff.
- Produce foam or drool excessively.
- Appear dazed and then fall to the ground.
- Lose consciousness.
- Lose control of bodily functions and urinate or defecate.
- Twitch and shake; sometimes lie on the side and kick with their legs.
- Repeat strange behavior.
Additionally, after a seizure, they may have difficulty seeing, walk in circles, appear unsteady, or even try to hide from you. If your pet has frequent seizures, you may notice warning signs beforehand.
How can we help pets during a seizure?
The most important thing you can do is to stay calm, which is certainly difficult when you are worried about your pet’s health and safety. Although seizures usually end within a few minutes, they can feel much longer for pet caregivers. Remember, your pet is counting on you for help, so follow these six steps.
- Make the area safe: The big concern with seizures is that your pet may get hurt. There is no need to restrain your pet. You should move them away from anything that could cause harm, such as stairs, bodies of water, furniture, or objects with sharp angles or edges. If they are on a hard surface like a wooden or concrete floor, you may try to protect their head with a cushion. Keep other pets and children away from the animal to prevent unintended injury.
- Record the time and episodes of the seizure: If possible, time the seizure and track how often your pet experiences seizures or use your phone to record a video. Sharing this vital information can help the veterinarian determine the type of seizure your pet has and provide appropriate treatment options. In terms of duration, most seizures end in about two to three minutes. If a seizure lasts longer, it should be treated as an emergency. The general rule is that seizures lasting more than five minutes are considered an emergency. It is recommended that if a seizure does not stop on its own after the first three minutes, you should take your pet to the emergency center. Note: Seizures lasting less than 2 minutes have a better prognosis than 5-minute seizures.
- Stay away from their mouth: A common misconception about seizures is that pets swallow their tongues. However, this does not happen, so you should not put your hands in their mouths. Seizures
When is a seizure an emergency?
If your pet has a seizure for the first time, it should be evaluated as soon as possible. Additionally, if there are multiple seizures in a row or a seizure lasts more than five minutes without stopping, it is an emergency. Seizures like these can be life-threatening if left untreated, and you should seek emergency treatment if they occur. 
Ways to treat seizures in pets
What are the ways to treat seizures in pets?
Treatment usually begins when a pet has more than one seizure over a period of a few months, if there is an underlying brain disease, or if it experiences severe, prolonged, or cluster seizures. The veterinarian will examine your pet and perform tests to determine the underlying cause of the seizures. Sharing information about the frequency and duration of seizures helps the veterinarian in diagnosis and treatment. Tests may include blood and urine tests, chest X-rays, and possibly MRI of the brain to get a more complete picture of what is happening in your pet’s brain. Remember that pets must be under general anesthesia to perform an MRI, as we cannot tell them to stay still. If an underlying cause is found, treating it will resolve the condition. In many cases, after treating the seizures, the frequency and intensity of the seizures decrease. If your pet is diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy (recurrent seizures without any other brain problems), there is no cure. However, daily medications can reduce the frequency and intensity of seizures. Once treatment starts, your pet will remain on that medication for the best possible quality of life for the rest of its life. Note: If you already have medication for your pet’s seizures, use it on time. If you think the intervals have become closer despite medication, return to have a higher dose prescribed. You can use injectable medications at the moment the animal goes into the seizure phase; otherwise, continue with the aforementioned actions and eventually visit the veterinarian and obtain the appropriate medication.
How can we assist in monitoring and controlling our pet’s seizures?
The best way to maintain your pet’s health in the event of recurrent seizures is to keep a seizure log. This can be tracked at home and brought to future appointments. Additionally, if you notice that the seizures are worsening, you may contact the veterinarian between appointments. Our colleagues in the emergency department of the Central Veterinary Hospital are available 24 hours a day to assist animals suffering from seizures or other emergency problems.
