Seizures in Pets: Causes, What to Do, and Treatment Options

Seizures are a common neurological problem in dogs and cats. This blog post will explain the most frequent causes, what to do if your pet has a seizure, and the available treatment options for seizures in pets. What is a seizure?

A seizure is an episode of abnormal, excessive electrical activity in the brain. It's like an electrical storm in the brain. Pets can experience seizures in various ways, including collapsing, trembling, paddling their legs, becoming stiff, and drooling. Some seizures are less obvious, with the pet appearing disoriented. A key sign of a seizure is that pets remain disoriented for a short time afterward.

What is NOT a seizure?

It's important to distinguish seizures from other similar conditions, such as fainting, heart problems, or other neurological disorders.

Common Causes of Seizures in Dogs and Cats

There are many reasons why dogs and cats have seizures. Some of the most common include:

• Epilepsy

• Toxicity (poisoning)

• Infections (viral, parasitic, or bacterial)

• Congenital problems (brain malformations)

• Brain tumors

• Trauma (strokes or accidents)

• Liver disease

To determine the cause, veterinarians perform laboratory tests and advanced imaging (MRI). The pet's medical history also provides valuable clues. For instance, seizures caused by toxicity occur shortly after exposure to the toxin and don't recur. If seizures begin in adulthood, tumors might be a concern.

What to do if your pet has a seizure:

• Stay calm.

• Ensure your pet is in a safe place where they can't fall or be exposed to direct sunlight.

• Keep other pets away.

• Do not try to wake them up or shake them.

• Record a video of the seizure to show your veterinarian for diagnosis.

When to see a veterinarian:

• If it's your pet's first seizure.

• If they have more than 2 seizures in a day.

• If the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes.

Treatment Options for Seizures in Pets

There are several safe and effective medications to treat seizures in pets, including diazepam, phenobarbital, levetiracetam, zonisamide, and gabapentin. Treatment aims to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures.

Important: Treatments are often long-term, even lifelong, and should not be stopped without consulting your veterinarian, as seizures can worsen. The more frequent the seizures, the harder they are to control. Ask your veterinarian if they recommend a consultation with a veterinary neurologist.