19/07/2025
🚨EMERGENCY FOCUS – SEIZURES IN DOGS & CATS 🚨
Witnessing your pet have a seizure can be an incredibly distressing experience. While not all seizures are life-threatening, some require emergency veterinary care, and it’s useful to know what to look out for and how to respond.
What is a Seizure?
A seizure (also known as a convulsion or fit) is a sudden, uncontrolled burst of electrical activity in the brain. Seizures can occur in both dogs and cats and may range from subtle twitches to full-body convulsions. Some pets may have a single seizure in their lifetime, while others may have recurrent episodes.
What Causes Seizures?
Seizures can be caused by a wide range of issues, including:
Toxins (such as slug pellets, chocolate, human medications)
Idiopathic epilepsy (‘idiopathic’ means of unknown cause; this is especially common in young dogs)
Low blood sugar
Liver disease
Kidney failure
Head trauma
Infections or inflammation in the brain
Brain tumours (more common in older pets)
Signs and Symptoms:
⚠️ Sudden collapse
⚠️ Muscle twitching or jerking
⚠️ Stiffening of limbs or paddling movements
⚠️ Loss of consciousness or awareness
⚠️ Drooling or foaming at the mouth
⚠️ Involuntary urination or defecation
⚠️ Disorientation or pacing after the episode
⚠️ Sudden, abnormal behaviour such as staring into space
What Should You Do if Your Pet Has a Seizure?
✅ Stay calm – we know it’s scary, but your pet needs you to be as calm and quiet as possible
✅ Keep them and your family safe – keep small children away, move furniture out of the way and cushion their head, if possible, but do not try to hold their mouth or tongue, during a seizure pets are more likely to bite without meaning to.
✅ Time the seizure – this helps your vet determine the severity and urgency
✅ Film the episode if safe to do so – it can help with diagnosis
✅ Call your vet immediately – especially if:
The seizure lasts longer than 2 minutes
Your pet has more than one seizure in 24 hours
They don’t recover fully between seizures
Treatment:
Treatment depends on the underlying cause. For pets diagnosed with epilepsy, anti-seizure medications may be prescribed long-term. If the seizure is caused by poisoning, infection, or organ dysfunction, those conditions must be addressed urgently. Hospitalisation, blood tests, imaging (such as MRI), and supportive care may all be part of the treatment plan.
Can Seizures Be Prevented?
While some causes can’t be prevented, you can reduce risks by:
✅ Keeping toxins and human medications well out of reach
✅ Regular health checks and blood tests, especially as your pet ages
✅ Ensuring your pet eats regular meals (especially puppies and kittens, and small breeds prone to hypoglycaemia)
✅ Prompt treatment of any underlying illnesses
If your pet has a seizure, don't hesitate to contact us. Our team can help you decide if your pet needs to be seen right away or if you can care for them at home while keeping a close eye on them.
