If your dog has a seizure near stairs or the edge of the bed, carefully push him to a safer location or place something in front of him that will prevent him from falling without hurting him. Dogs may become panicked before or after a seizure and may run around without thinking or looking at where they’re going. They also may not always be able to control their movements and could potentially seize so hard they fall.
Speak in low, comforting tones to your dog. Some owners even try putting on soft, gentle music for their dogs after a seizure. As long as you don’t play anything too loudly, this is fine. However, your dog may appreciate it more if you just let him come back to normal without adding distractions around him, too.
Seizures cause your dog’s body temperature to climb quickly. Because of this, it can be helpful to gently place cool washcloths over his feet after the seizure has ended. Wait until your dog has come to before you do this, as he may bite you if you don’t.
Some owners wrap their dog in a towel or blanket and hold him to comfort him after a seizure. It is fine to do this if your dog has become alert and is otherwise back to normal following the seizure. If not, however, don’t do this.
Avoid doing this if hugging usually bothers your dog, as he will not find it comforting in this situation, either.
After your dog is alert and awake again, he may be very tired. Let him sleep; you may check up on him periodically, but it’s best to let him rest.
The Three Phases of a Dog Seizure
Aura Phase. The first phase of a seizure is the Aura phase. Some dogs have this, and others donât. Certain signs of an impending seizure may be evident, such as restlessness, whining, shaking, salivation, wandering, hiding, or affection seeking. These signs may persist from seconds to days in duration and may or may not be apparent to you. Some dogs will run to you or seem âneedyâ just prior to a seizure.
Ictal Phase. During the ictal phase of a seizure, the actual seizure occurs. The seizure may last from seconds or minutes. The typical generalized seizure looks like this: your dog falls on their side and begins paddling and chomping their jaws. Some owners will notice their dog’s teeth chattering. They may drool, foam at the mouth, urinate, bark or vocalize, and move their bowels. Dogs are unaware of their surroundings during this period.
Postictal Phase. This phase of a seizure occurs immediately after the seizure. Dogs will appear confused and disoriented and may wander or pace. Some dogs will be temporarily blind and may run into objects. The typical postictal dog will wander around aimlessly, be unsteady on their feet, may stumble over to their water dish and overdrink and/or overeat, drool, and seem generally confused. This phase may last a few minutes to hours.
What To Do if Your Dog Has a Seizure
Despite the violent appearance of many types of seizures, your dog is not consciously experiencing pain while this is happening. He may throw his head back, urinate, defecate, and drool excessively, but it looks much worse than it feels. So what can you do? Keep reading to learn what to do if your dog has a seizure.
The most important thing to do is stay calm. Your dog needs you right now, so you want to focus on how you can help him. Here are several first aid recommendations to prevent him from hurting himself and take care of him afterward:
Check the time: You want to know when your dog’s seizure started and how long it lasted. If your dog experiences cluster seizures, you want to note the length of time between seizures. You should take him to the vet immediately
Film the seizure: If someone else is around, you can ask them to film the seizure so you can show it to your DVM when you get your dog checked afterward.
DO NOT EVER put your fingers or any other object in your dog’s mouth: He cannot swallow his tongue. This is also true for people, by the way. If you put your fingers in his mouth, you’re likely to get bitten. If you put an object in his mouth, that creates a choking hazard. Don’t do either!
Cushion your dog’s head: You can cushion your dog’s head to prevent him from hurting himself. You can also keep him away from stairs or other areas where he may fall. Just hold him gently and comfort him until he comes around.
Cool your dog down: If the seizure lasts for just a minute, you don’t need to do this, but if it lasts for more than 2 or 3 minutes, your dog’s body temperature can rise to a dangerous level. You can use a wet towel or cold water and apply it to his groin, neck, paws, and head to help cool him down. If the seizure is going on this long, you want to be heading to your veterinarian.
Get your dog checked by the veterinarian: If the seizure goes on for longer than 2 minutes or doesn’t stop, go to the vet immediately. But even if it does stop, it’s a good idea to get your dog checked out even though he seems to be okay.
Keep a journal: Once your dog has had a seizure, you want to start a journal to document that seizure and any more that he may have. You should always note the date, time, and length of the seizure activity. This can help the vet to determine if there’s a pattern.
Document cluster seizures: If your dog has more than one seizure over the course of a 24-hour period, this is known as cluster seizures. These require immediate veterinary attention. You still want to note the date, time, and length of each seizure as well as the time between seizures. That will help your DVM to figure out what’s going on.
