Why Dogs Have Seizures And What You Can Do

Humans aren't the only ones who can suffer seizures. Dogs can experience them too. When a dog has a seizure, he may lose control of his bodily functions, fall to the ground, and even foam at the mouth. While it's scary to watch your precious pooch go through something like that, rest assured that he is not in any pain. Also, know that a dog can fully recover from a seizure and live a perfectly normal life.

Causes of Seizures

Some causes of seizures can be avoided while others cannot. If your dog's seizures are due to a genetic cause, for example, you may not be able to prevent them. Let's take a look at the common causes of seizures in dogs:

Illness Related

There are certain illnesses that can increase the risk of seizures in dogs. For example, if your dog is experiencing kidney failure, he may have a seizure. Other symptoms of kidney failure are vomiting, weight loss, increased thirst, and blood in the urine.

Toxins

A dog may also experience a seizure if he has ingested harmful toxins, such as insecticides or rat poison. It's important to keep these toxins out of your dog's reach so that he doesn't get sick.

Epilepsy

Some dogs are genetically predisposed to epilepsy and may suffer seizures because of it. This brain disorder may cause a dog to experience sudden and recurring seizures throughout his life. If a veterinarian determines that your dog has epilepsy, he may have to take daily medication to control the seizures.

Brain Tumor

If your dog had a brain tumor, it can put pressure on the brain tissue and cause a seizure. Your dog may also experience loss of vision and poor motor coordination. If you believe your dog has a brain tumor, it is vital for him to have an MRI as soon as possible.

What to Do During a Seizure

If your dog is having a seizure, it's easy to go into a panic. However, that will only make things worse. It's important to stay calm and follow these tips:

• Move Furniture Out of the Way: During a seizure, your dog may lose control of his body and bump into tables and other furniture. To prevent your pooch from getting injured, move all furniture far away from him.
• Talk to Your Dog in a Soothing Voice: A good way to comfort your dog during a seizure is to speak to him in a calm and soothing voice. Tell him that you are there for him and that everything will be okay.
• Keep Your Dog Cool: Your dog's body can overheat during a long seizure. It is a good idea to put a cool rag on your dog's back so that he stays cool.
• Don't Touch Your Dog's Mouth: It is not possible for your dog to swallow his tongue during a seizure, so keep your hands away from his mouth. Your dog may unintentionally bite you if you get near his mouth.
• Know When to Seek Medical Help: Brief seizures usually won't do much harm to your dog and will not require medical treatment. However, if your dog's seizure lasts for more than five minutes, it can result in brain damage. If your dog experiences a long seizure, take him to the animal hospital right away to get treated.

Watching your dog go through seizures can be heartbreaking. However, it's possible to manage them and see your dog live a healthy and normal life. When you take your dog to see a veterinarian, he or she may prescribe medicine to control your dog's seizures.

For more information, go to an animal hospital, or navigate to this site.