To answer that, we first have to get a little technical. The medical term for a seizure is “ictus” – a convulsion or some type of fit, such as uncontrollable muscular activity. This happens because something’s thrown a wrench in the brain’s normal functions. An ictus goes through three phases
The Ictal Phase
This is the actual seizure, itself, and can last anywhere from a few seconds to five minutes. One or several things can happen:
Absence or Psychomotor Seizures They start hallucinating… or so doctors think, because your dog tunes out and appears to stare off into space. They could also start barking or biting at invisible things or start chasing their tails obsessively. This is the most dangerous because it isn’t always possible to tell whether your dog is having a seizure or if your pup is just being dopey.
Focal or partial seizures Only one side of their brain is having a fit, so only one side of their body starts convulsing. It could happen on one side of their face, or it could look like a spasm on some part of their body.
Grand mal seizures Also called “generalized seizures,” both sides of the brain are going through abnormal electrical activity. As such, the entire body starts convulsing. This is the most obvious sign of a seizure and can be scary to watch. Your dog will pass out and fall on one side and shake. This is an epileptic fit. If they didn’t hit their head, weren’t poisoned, or aren’t suffering from some known medical problem, doctors will say they have “idiopathic epilepsy” – meaning they have no idea what’s causing it, so it’s probably genetic. During a grand mal seizure, your dog will start convulsing while paddling their legs like they’re swimming. Sometimes, they’ll also throw their heads back as if trying to touch their backs with their noses. Some foam at the mouth, others poop and pee. Each dog reacts slightly differently.
Hearing Critters
At times, dogs who seem to be victims of auditory hallucinations are just reacting to sounds produced by critters in the attic or basement. With their strong sense of hearing, consider that dogs are capable of hearing in the ultrasonic range, which the human ear cannot.
Tremors from Toxins in a Dog (Charley)
When your dog acts like he sees something, sometimes it’s nothing and sometimes it’s a symptom.
Dogs may experience the same neurological conditions that affect humans and have their own way of communicating with us that something is wrong.
If your dog is looking around frantically for no apparent reason, it may be due to old age or to a particularly stressful situation.
But if you can rule out these options, then your dog may benefit from a medical examination.