Understanding Seizures in Dogs & Cats
A seizure happens when there is abnormal electrical activity in the brain, leading to a temporary disruption of normal brain function. Think of it as an electrical storm that interferes with how your pet's nervous system communicates with their body. These neurological events can vary from subtle behavioural changes to intense full-body convulsions.
Veterinary professionals classify seizures as focal or generalized. Focal seizures affect a specific brain area, causing localized symptoms like facial twitching, lip smacking, chewing, or behavioural changes such as staring or confusion. Generalized seizures involve the entire brain, resulting in loss of consciousness, whole-body convulsions, paddling movements, and sometimes incontinence.
Several factors can trigger seizures in pets. Idiopathic epilepsy, where no specific cause can be identified, is the most common form, especially in dogs aged one to five years. However, seizures can also occur due to toxin exposure (such as certain human medications, household cleaners, or plants), head trauma from accidents, brain tumours, liver disease, kidney issues, or metabolic disorders. Determining the underlying cause is crucial for creating an effective treatment plan.
What are the signs of seizures in pets?
The signs of a seizure in dogs and cats can vary dramatically depending on the type and severity of the episode. Understanding what to look for during different phases of a seizure helps ensure you can provide your veterinarian with crucial diagnostic information.
Sign of focal seizures may include:
- Brief periods of staring or appearing 'zoned out'
- Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth
- Facial twitching or jaw snapping movements
- Strange repetitive behaviours like fly-snapping at invisible objects
- Head shaking or turning to one side
- Unusual vocalizations or whimpering
Generalized seizures typically involve:
- Falling onto their side with loss of consciousness
- Rigid muscle contractions followed by rhythmic paddling movements
- Vocalization, such as crying or howling
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Episodes lasting between 30 seconds to two minutes
Observe your dog or cat's behaviour before and after seizures for diagnostic clues. Many pets exhibit restlessness, seek attention, pace, or display anxiety. After a seizure, pets may appear disoriented, confused, temporarily blind, or unusually hungry or thirsty.
Maintaining detailed records of seizure frequency, duration, and recovery time helps veterinarians assess the severity of your pet's condition and adjust treatment accordingly. Note the date, time, duration, observed behaviours, and recovery time.
When Seizures Are a Medical Emergency
While any seizure warrants veterinary attention, some situations call for urgent emergency care. Knowing when to take your pet to the vet for seizures can be a life-saving decision.
Status epilepticus, defined as a seizure lasting longer than five minutes or continuous seizure activity, is a serious medical emergency. During extended seizures, your cat's or dog's body temperature can dangerously increase, potentially leading to brain damage or organ failure. If your pet experiences a seizure lasting more than five minutes, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.
Cluster seizures, which involve multiple seizures within a 24-hour period, also require urgent care. Even if each episode is brief, the combined effect can be harmful and often signals that your pet's current treatment needs immediate review.
If your dog or cat sustains injuries during a seizure or struggles to regain their normal behaviour and coordination after an episode, an emergency assessment is crucial. Some pets may experience severe disorientation, difficulty walking, or other concerning neurological symptoms that last longer than the usual recovery period.
Coastal Care Veterinary Emergency & Referral Hospital provides 24/7 emergency services specifically for these critical situations. Their emergency veterinary team is equipped to handle seizure emergencies and can provide immediate stabilization while developing a comprehensive treatment plan for your pet.
When to Seek Veterinary Neurology Care
While emergency veterinarians can handle acute seizure episodes, complex cases often require the expertise of a veterinary neurologist. A specialist in neurology has advanced training in diagnosing and treating seizure disorders, as well as access to sophisticated diagnostic tools that are not available at most general practices.
Veterinary neurologists can conduct advanced diagnostics such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine brain structures, cerebrospinal fluid analysis via spinal taps to detect inflammation or infection, and electroencephalograms (EEG) when needed to assess brain electrical activity. These specialized tests assist in discovering underlying causes and informing targeted treatment plans.
Consider asking for a neurology referral if your pet has frequent or worsening seizures despite standard treatment, responds poorly to anti-seizure medications, or if your veterinarian suspects structural brain issues, tumours, or complex neurological problems. Also, pets with seizures starting before six months or after six years typically benefit from a specialized assessment because these age groups are more likely to have underlying structural brain conditions.
Support Through Diagnosis & Treatment
Managing pet epilepsy is usually a long-term commitment that includes anti-seizure medications, regular monitoring, and lifestyle adjustments. Most dogs and cats with seizure disorders can achieve good seizure control with proper medication, but finding the right medication and dosage often takes patience and regular veterinary follow-up.
Effective seizure management requires close collaboration between your primary care veterinarian and any specialist involved in your pet's care. Our veterinary specialists support ongoing treatment and monitoring, working together with your primary care veterinarian to enhance your pet's quality of life while reducing seizure frequency and severity.
Many pet owners find reassurance in knowing that, with proper veterinary care, most dogs and cats with seizure disorders can lead happy, fulfilling lives. While epilepsy requires ongoing management, it doesn't prevent dogs or cats from enjoying normal activities like playing, exercising, and spending time with their families.
The key to successful outcomes is early recognition of symptoms, timely emergency care when necessary, and consistent long-term management with your veterinary team. By understanding pet epilepsy symptoms, recognizing the typical cat and dog seizure signs, and knowing when to visit a vet for seizures, you can help ensure your companion receives the best possible care throughout their experience with this manageable neurological condition.
Note: The advice and/or information provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition or for the most up-to-date information, please make an appointment with your veterinarian.