Seizures in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Early recognition and prompt action can improve outcomes, easing your pet's recovery.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 10, 2025

Early recognition and prompt action can improve outcomes, easing your pet's recovery.

Seizures in dogs can be frightening for owners and dangerous for pets. Understanding the symptoms, possible causes, types, and how to respond can help ensure your dog receives the best possible care. This guide explores what seizures in dogs look like, why they happen, how veterinarians diagnose and treat them, and what you can do if your dog experiences a seizure.

What Are Seizures in Dogs?

A seizure in dogs is a sudden surge of abnormal, uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. Seizures can range from mild, localized muscle twitches to full-body convulsions. They may be brief and subtle or highly dramatic, but all require prompt attention due to their potential health impact on your dog.

Seizures are a sign, not a disease, pointing to underlying neurological dysfunction.
Severity and symptoms vary widely depending on what part of the brain is affected and the cause.
In most cases, seizures are not painful for the dog, though the event appears distressing to humans.

Itâs easy to misinterpret normal behaviors like dreaming or shivering as seizures, but genuine seizures impair a dogâs awareness and responsiveness to their environment.

How to Identify a Seizure: Symptoms in Dogs

Recognizing a seizure episode is critical for ensuring your dog receives timely veterinary care. Seizure symptoms may look different depending on the type, the underlying cause, and even the individual dog.

Common Symptoms of Seizures in Dogs

Staring into space or appearing “out of it”
Sudden stiffness or rigidity of the body and legs
Collapse and loss of consciousness
Muscle twitching or jerking
Paddling or thrashing of limbs
Drooling and excessive salivation
Snapping or clenching of the jaw (“chewing gum” motion)
Urinating or defecating involuntarily
Whining, barking, or other vocalizations
Circling, restlessness, or agitation before the episode begins

Phases of a Seizure Episode

Phase	Description	Common Behaviors
Pre-Ictal (Aura)	The time before seizure onset; may last seconds to hours.	Restlessness, anxiety, or clinginess Pacing, whining, or seeking comfort Appearing confused or “not quite right”
Ictal (Seizure Event)	The actual seizure; typically lasts a few seconds to a few minutes.	Loss of consciousness (in most but not all seizures) Violent muscle contractions, paddling legs Drooling, vocalizing, jaw snapping Incontinence (urination/defecation) Related: Seizures in Cats: Understanding, Diagnosis, and Care
Post-Ictal	The recovery phase after the seizure subsides; duration varies.	Disorientation, confusion Temporary blindness or ataxia (unsteady gait) Excessive thirst or hunger

Types of Seizures in Dogs

Veterinarians classify seizures based on their characteristics and the part of the brain involved. The main types include:

Generalized (Grand Mal) Seizures

Most common type observed in dogs.
Affects the entire bodyâloss of consciousness, collapse, uncontrolled muscle movements, and paddling.
May include salivation, urination, defecation, and vocalizing.

Focal (Partial) Seizures

Involve only a specific area of the brain and correspondingly affect a specific part of the body.
Dog remains conscious; may show repeated facial twitching, head shaking, or movements in one limb.
Can progress to generalized seizures.

Complex Partial (Psychomotor) Seizures

Manifest as sudden, odd behaviors (e.g., “fly biting,” tail chasing, rage, or hysteria).
Dog appears conscious but unaware or in an altered mental state.
Episodes may last several seconds to minutes and sometimes resemble panic or hallucination.

Identifying the type of seizure is important for diagnosis and management. Recording video of the episode can be very helpful for your veterinarian.

What Causes Seizures in Dogs?

Seizures can have a variety of causes. Sometimes the underlying problem is never found, but key causes include:

Idiopathic Epilepsy: The most common cause of recurring seizures; usually inherited and with no identifiable structural brain abnormality. Most often appears between 1-5 years of age.
Structural (Symptomatic) Causes: Abnormalities in the brain such as tumors, inflammation, trauma, or congenital defects.
Reactive (Metabolic or Toxic) Causes: Seizures resulting from external factors, such as:

Liver or kidney disease
Electrolyte or blood sugar imbalances (hypoglycemia, low calcium)
Ingestion of medications, toxins, or poisons

Determining the cause can guide treatment and prognosis, but in many epileptic dogs, no specific cause is ever found (idiopathic epilepsy).

How Veterinarians Diagnose Seizures in Dogs

A dog having a seizure should be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Diagnosis typically involves:

Detailed historyâfrequency, duration, and description of the episodes
Physical and neurological examination
Laboratory tests (blood work, urinalysis) to exclude metabolic or toxic causes
Advanced imaging (MRI, CT scan) to identify structural brain issues if indicated
Observationâvideo recordings are very helpful

In some cases test results reveal an underlying health problem (such as hypoglycemia or a brain tumor), while in others, no cause will be identified and a diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy will be made.

What to Do If Your Dog Has a Seizure

Witnessing your dog have a seizure can be terrifying, but staying calm can help you keep them safe. Follow these steps if your dog is having a seizure:

Stay Calm: Panicking wonât help and may cause injury to both you and your dog.
Clear the Area: Remove nearby objects and keep children/other pets away to prevent injury.
Do Not Restrain: Never try to hold your dog down or put anything in their mouthâyou could be bitten accidentally.
Time the Seizure: Note the start and end times. Most seizures last less than two minutes.
After the Seizure: Let your dog recover in a quiet, safe place. Speak softly and comfort them as they regain awareness.
Seek Veterinary Attention: Always call your veterinarian after the first seizure, or if seizures last longer than five minutes, or occur in clusters.
Take a Video: If safely possible, record the event to show your veterinarian.

When is a Seizure an Emergency?

Seizures lasting more than five minutes (“status epilepticus”)
Multiple seizures within a short period (cluster seizures)
Your dog does not fully recover between episodes
Associated trauma, heat stroke risk, or underlying health conditions

These situations are life-threatening and require immediate veterinary care to prevent permanent brain damage or death.

Treatment Options for Dogs with Seizures

Treatment varies depending on the underlying cause and the severity/frequency of the seizures:

Anti-Seizure Medications: Most dogs diagnosed with epilepsy are put on medication such as:

Phenobarbital
Potassium bromide
Levetiracetam
Zonisamide

Treating Underlying Illness: If another cause (like liver shunt, tumor, infection, or metabolic disease) is diagnosed, treating that can resolve or control the seizures.
Monitoring and Follow-Up: Regular checkups and blood tests are needed to manage medication side effects and effectiveness.
Diet and Lifestyle Modifications: Some studies suggest specific diets and maintaining consistent routines may help reduce the frequency of seizures.

Most dogs need lifelong medication. Do not stop or change medication doses without veterinary supervision; abrupt withdrawal can cause uncontrolled seizures.

Can You Prevent Seizures in Dogs?

Itâs not always possible to prevent seizuresâespecially when due to genetic epilepsyâbut you can help reduce risk and keep your dog safer by:

Keeping medications, human food, and toxins out of reach
Preventing head injuries (using leashes, securing dangerous areas)
Managing underlying health conditions closely
Providing routine veterinary care and checkups

For dogs with known triggers (for example, excitement, certain foods, or stress), minimizing exposure to these can reduce the risk of episodes.

Prognosis: Can Dogs with Seizures Live a Normal Life?

Many dogs live long and fulfilling lives with proper management of seizures. The prognosis depends on the underlying cause, the frequency and severity of the seizures, and how well they respond to treatment. Ongoing communication with your veterinarian is essential for maintaining your dogâs quality of life.

Appropriate treatment often results in good control of seizure activity.
Ongoing support and care can help most dogs enjoy their lives and relationships with their families.
Some cases, especially those with severe underlying disease, may carry a more guarded prognosis.

When a Seizure Is Not a Seizure

Sometimes, what looks like a seizure is something else entirely. Commonly mistaken conditions include:

Muscle tremors/shivering: These do not affect awareness; the dog is awake and responsive.
Dreaming or REM sleep: Pups may twitch, move their legs, or even vocalize while asleepâthese are normal unless they donât wake up easily.
Syncope (fainting): Temporary loss of consciousness from heart disease can resemble some seizure events.

Note your dogâs behavior during and after the event and consult your vet for clarification. If possible, a video recording is invaluable for diagnosis.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can I tell if my dog is having a seizure or just dreaming?

During a true seizure, dogs are typically unresponsive and unable to be woken up, and their movements are more violent than normal dreaming. Dreaming dogs are easily awakened and responsive.

What should I do right after my dog has a seizure?

Allow your dog to recover in a quiet, safe spot. Offer comfort, water, and keep other pets away. Monitor them closelyâif the seizure lasted more than five minutes or your dog seems unwell after, seek emergency veterinary care.

Can certain foods or environmental factors trigger a seizure?

Some dogs with epilepsy have identifiable triggers such as specific foods, stress, or excitement. Managing these triggers can help reduce episodes. Always discuss dietary or environmental changes with your vet.

When should I start medication for my dog’s seizures?

Veterinarians typically recommend starting medication if seizures occur more than once every 2-3 months, if episodes are severe, or if cluster seizures/status epilepticus occur.

Is it safe to leave a dog with epilepsy alone?

While many dogs with controlled epilepsy can be left alone, you should assess the risks based on the frequency and severity of your dogâs seizures. Discuss your concerns with your veterinarian to develop a safety plan.

Tips for Living with a Dog with Seizures

Maintain a daily journal to track seizure frequency, duration, and potential triggers.
Establish a relationship with a trusted veterinarian and keep all appointments.
Administer medications exactly as prescribed.
Educate friends and family members about how to respond if your dog has a seizure.
Be prepared for emergencies: know the location and number of the nearest veterinary ER.

Conclusion

Seizures in dogs are common but manageable with timely veterinary attention and ongoing care. By understanding the symptoms, causes, treatment options, and what to do during an emergency, you can help keep your dog safer and more comfortable throughout their life.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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