Seizures are a frightening but relatively common occurrence in pets. Knowing how to recognize and respond to a seizure can help you stay calm and protect your pet until evaluation by your primary veterinarian or our veterinary neurology team.

What does a seizure look like in pets?

Identifying seizure activity in a dog or cat is the first step to keeping them safe. Although seizures may vary in type and severity, common symptoms of a generalized or grand mal seizure include:

• Sudden collapse

• Stiffness

• Muscle twitching

• Jerking or paddling limbs

• Drooling or foaming

• Unresponsiveness

• Loss of bladder or bowel control

Grand mal seizures also have distinct phases. In addition to the active seizure described above, recognizing the times before and after can help you take action and support your pet.

• Pre-ictal phase: In this pre-seizure phase, pets may appear anxious or restless.

• Ictal phase: During the active seizure, pets may collapse, convulse, and/or lose consciousness.

• Post-ictal phase: This period follows the active seizure and can last minutes or hours. Post-itcal pets may seem disoriented or restless, or may experience temporary blindness.

Step-by-step: What to do during a pet seizure at home

Responding quickly to your pet’s seizure can lower their risk for serious injury.

#1: Stay calm and note the time

Marking the time you first notice your pet’s seizure and when it stops can help you know when to bring them to our emergency department and help your veterinarian determine its severity.

Most seizures last less than a minute. However, if a seizure lasts longer than five minutes, your pet is in status epilepticus, a potentially fatal state that can cause a dangerous rise in body temperature. If your pet is in status epilepticus, they need immediate veterinary intervention.

#2: Create a safe space around your pet

Move furniture and objects out of your pet’s reach. If your pet is on a couch, move them gently—if safe to do so—to the floor to prevent a fall. Block staircases and sharp edges where your pet may hit their head.

#3: Keep your hands away from your pet’s mouth and head

Pets having a seizure aren’t aware of their surroundings and may bite your hand or fingers out of fear or muscle spasm. Do not try to move your pet’s tongue, clear away any vomit, or pet their head during the ictal or post-ictal phase.

#4: Minimize stimulation

Loud or sudden noises and bright or flashing lights may worsen your pet’s condition. Remove these sources to ensure the space around your pet is calm, dark, and quiet.

#5: Record your pet’s seizure, if possible

Videoing your pet’s episode, even as a short clip, makes it easier to communicate with your primary veterinarian or our neurology team and helps them understand and diagnose your pet’s seizure.

# 6: Monitor your pet’s recovery

Note the time your pet’s seizure subsides. After a seizure, your pet may struggle to walk without stumbling, be confused, or have temporary blindness. Stay near your pet to observe and protect them, but give them space. Some pets may react aggressively during the post-ictal stage.

If your pet is comfortable in a crate, you may choose to confine them during this time—just ensure the crate is well-padded to protect them in case another seizure occurs.

#7: Call your veterinarian

Although not every seizure needs to be reported to your primary veterinarian, three common instances where your pet may need to be seen include:

• Your pet’s first seizure

• Your pet was previously diagnosed with epilepsy, but has been well-managed on medications (breakthrough seizure)

• Your pet has multiple seizures over a 24-hour period (cluster seizures)

When is my pet’s seizure an emergency?

Seek immediate care at our 24/7/365 emergency department if your pet’s seizure or their condition matches any of these descriptions:

• Seizure lasting longer than five minutes

• The seizure is followed by additional seizures (cluster seizures)

• Poor or no recovery

• Suspected toxin exposure or traumatic injury

• If your pet is pregnant, geriatric, or young, or has other health conditions

• Difficulty breathing

Your pet does not need an appointment to be seen by our emergency department, but if you call ahead, we can have our team ready to receive and stabilize your pet the moment you arrive.

What’s next? Diagnosing seizure disorders in pets

If your pet is referred to our neurology department, our caring specialists will perform a thorough diagnostic workup to look for underlying causes. This may include:

• Neurologic examination: Neurologic function testing evaluates your pet’s brain, nerves, and spinal cord. It can be used to identify areas of concern and possible injury or damage.

• Blood work: Blood work helps us diagnose underlying diseases that can trigger seizure activity, such as kidney or liver disease or other metabolic disorders. It also helps the team ensure your pet can safely receive anti-seizure medications.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): MRI may be used to identify tumors or injury to the brain or spine.

• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis: Collected via a spinal tap under anesthesia, a CSF analysis can reveal infectious or inflammatory causes.

Despite extensive testing, many pets are diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy, meaning the cause is unknown. This diagnosis can only be made after other causes have been ruled out.

Living with seizures: Long-term management for pets

Fortunately, with proper management, epileptic pets can enjoy an excellent quality of life. Our neurology team will work closely with you and your pet to determine the best long-term care plan. This may include:

• Anti-seizure medications: If your pet’s seizures occur more than once a month

• Follow-up visits or communications: To ensure your pet’s seizures are well-controlled

• Lifestyle adjustments: Such as minimizing stress and keeping your pet on a consistent daily routine

• Seizure tracking: Recording your pet’s seizure episodes in a journal or on a calendar to help identify trends or increasing frequency

Expert neurologic care for pets

Witnessing your pet’s seizure can make you feel helpless and scared, but you are not alone. Our knowledgeable, experienced, and compassionate neurology team is here to provide skilled diagnostic and long-term care, improving your pet’s outcome and your peace of mind.

If your pet has a seizure, ask your veterinarian for a referral to the Red Bank Veterinary Hospital Mount Laurel neurology and neurosurgery service. For emergency care of any condition, our emergency department is available 24/7/365.