Why is My Dog Having Seizures? Understanding Canine Epilepsy

Seizures in dogs can be scary to witness, but they’re more common than you might think. They happen when there’s a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, causing involuntary movements or changes in behavior. While seizures can be caused by epilepsy, they can also stem from toxins, kidney disease, or other health issues.

The good news? With the right treatment and daily management, most dogs can live happy, fulfilling lives. This guide will help you understand what causes seizures, how to recognize them, and what to do if your pup experiences one.

Seizures vs. Epilepsy in Dogs
What Causes Seizures in Dogs?
How to Recognize a Seizure
What to Do If Your Dog Has a Seizure
When Is a Seizure an Emergency?
How Vets Diagnose Seizures
Treatment and Prevention

Can Diet, CBD, or Supplements Help?

Breeds Prone to Seizures
Final Thoughts
Frequently Asked Questions

Seizures in dogs can be scary to witness, but they’re more common than you might think. They happen when there’s a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, causing involuntary movements or changes in behavior. While seizures can be caused by epilepsy, they can also stem from toxins, kidney disease, or other health issues.
The good news? With the right treatment and <a href="https://lolahemp.com/blogs/pet-cbd/cbd-for-seizures-in-dogs" title="This article explores the use of CBD to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures in dogs.">daily management</a>, most dogs can live happy, fulfilling lives. This guide will help you understand what causes seizures, how to recognize them, and what to do if your pup experiences one.
<h2>Seizures vs. Epilepsy in Dogs</h2>
A seizure is a single episode of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. It can range from mild, subtle behavior changes to full-body convulsions.
Epilepsy, on the other hand, is a condition where a dog has recurring seizures. The most common form, idiopathic epilepsy, doesn’t have an identifiable cause but tends to run in families. Breeds like Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Border Terriers are especially prone to it.
<h2>What Causes Seizures in Dogs?</h2>
There are many potential reasons a dog might have a seizure, including:
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>
Idiopathic epilepsy (genetic predisposition)
</li>
<li>
Head injuries
</li>
<li>
Liver or kidney disease
</li>
<li>
Exposure to toxins (like chocolate, xylitol, or pesticides)
</li>
<li>
Brain tumors or infections
</li>
</ul>
<h2>How to Recognize a Seizure</h2>
Seizures don’t always look the same, but here are some common signs:
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>
Sudden collapse
</li>
<li>
Uncontrollable muscle twitching or leg paddling
</li>
<li>
Loss of consciousness
</li>
<li>
Drooling or foaming at the mouth
</li>
<li>
Loss of bladder or bowel control
</li>
<li>
Confusion or disorientation afterward (post-ictal phase)
</li>
</ul>
<h2>What to Do If Your Dog Has a Seizure</h2>
<ol data-spread="false" start="1">
<li>
Stay calm. It’s scary, but panicking won’t help.
</li>
<li>
Move anything dangerous out of the way. Make sure your dog doesn’t hit furniture, stairs, or other hazards.
</li>
<li>
Don’t try to hold them down. Seizures are involuntary, and restraining them could cause injury.
</li>
<li>
Reduce stimulation. Dim the lights, turn off loud noises, and keep the environment quiet.
</li>
<li>
Time the seizure. Most last under two minutes, but if it goes beyond five, get emergency veterinary help.
</li>
<li>
Record the episode. A video can help your vet diagnose the condition more accurately.
</li>
</ol>
<h2>When Is a Seizure an Emergency?</h2>
Call your vet or go to an emergency clinic if:
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>
The seizure lasts longer than five minutes (status epilepticus)
</li>
<li>
Your dog has multiple seizures in a row (cluster seizures)
</li>
<li>
They don’t fully recover between seizures
</li>
</ul>
<h2>How Vets Diagnose Seizures</h2>
Your vet will run tests to figure out the cause, which might include:
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>
Blood tests to check for underlying health issues
</li>
<li>
MRI or CT scans to look for brain abnormalities
</li>
<li>
Spinal fluid analysis to rule out infections or inflammation
</li>
</ul>
<h2>Treatment and Prevention</h2>
Managing seizures usually involves anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) like:
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>
<a href="https://www.lolahemp.com/blogs/dog-health/phenobarbital-for-dogs-pet-owners-guide" title="This article looks at phenobarbital for dogs and its effects.">Phenobarbital</a>
</li>
<li>
Potassium bromide
</li>
<li>
Levetiracetam (Keppra)
</li>
</ul>
Some dogs do well with one medication, while others need a mix. Your vet will help find the right plan for your dog.
<h3>Can Diet, CBD, or Supplements Help?</h3>
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>
A ketogenic diet (high-fat, low-carb) may help reduce seizures.
</li>
<li>
CBD oil is being studied for its effects on seizures, but results are still mixed.
</li>
<li>
Omega-3s and B vitamins can support brain health but aren’t a replacement for medication.
</li>
</ul>
<h2>Breeds Prone to Seizures</h2>
<a href="https://www.lolahemp.com/blogs/dog-health/dog-breeds-prone-to-seizures" title="This article looks at the dog breeds that are the most vulnerable to seizures.">Some breeds</a> are more likely to have seizures due to genetics, including:
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>
Border Collies
</li>
<li>
Labrador Retrievers
</li>
<li>
German Shepherds
</li>
<li>
Irish Wolfhounds
</li>
<li>
Belgian Tervurens
</li>
</ul>
<h2>Final Thoughts</h2>
Seizures can be overwhelming, but with the right care, most dogs can live normal lives. If your pup has a seizure, don’t panic—focus on keeping them safe and getting them the help they need.
If your dog has a first-time seizure or their symptoms change, reach out to your vet right away.
<h2 data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>
Can stress trigger seizures in dogs? Yes, stress and excitement can make seizures more likely in epileptic dogs.
Can dehydration cause seizures? Severe dehydration <a href="https://www.lolahemp.com/blogs/dog-health/can-dehydration-cause-seizures-in-dogs" title="This article explores the relationship between dehydration and seizures in dogs.">might contribute</a>, but it’s not a common cause.
What toxins cause seizures in dogs? Chocolate, xylitol, certain flea medications, and rodenticides are big culprits.
Should I consider euthanasia for a dog with epilepsy? In most cases, no. With the right medication and care, many dogs with epilepsy live long, happy lives.
If you’re ever unsure, talk to your vet. They’ll help guide you on the best path forward for your furry friend.

Seizures vs. Epilepsy in Dogs

A seizure is a single episode of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. It can range from mild, subtle behavior changes to full-body convulsions.

Epilepsy, on the other hand, is a condition where a dog has recurring seizures. The most common form, idiopathic epilepsy, doesn’t have an identifiable cause but tends to run in families. Breeds like Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Border Terriers are especially prone to it.

What Causes Seizures in Dogs?

There are many potential reasons a dog might have a seizure, including:

Idiopathic epilepsy (genetic predisposition)
Head injuries
Liver or kidney disease
Exposure to toxins (like chocolate, xylitol, or pesticides)
Brain tumors or infections

How to Recognize a Seizure

Seizures don’t always look the same, but here are some common signs:

Sudden collapse
Uncontrollable muscle twitching or leg paddling
Loss of consciousness
Drooling or foaming at the mouth
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Confusion or disorientation afterward (post-ictal phase)

What to Do If Your Dog Has a Seizure

Stay calm. It’s scary, but panicking won’t help.
Move anything dangerous out of the way. Make sure your dog doesn’t hit furniture, stairs, or other hazards.
Don’t try to hold them down. Seizures are involuntary, and restraining them could cause injury.
Reduce stimulation. Dim the lights, turn off loud noises, and keep the environment quiet.
Time the seizure. Most last under two minutes, but if it goes beyond five, get emergency veterinary help.
Record the episode. A video can help your vet diagnose the condition more accurately.

When Is a Seizure an Emergency?

Call your vet or go to an emergency clinic if:

The seizure lasts longer than five minutes (status epilepticus)
Your dog has multiple seizures in a row (cluster seizures)
They don’t fully recover between seizures

How Vets Diagnose Seizures

Your vet will run tests to figure out the cause, which might include:

Blood tests to check for underlying health issues
MRI or CT scans to look for brain abnormalities
Spinal fluid analysis to rule out infections or inflammation

Treatment and Prevention

Managing seizures usually involves anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) like:

Phenobarbital
Potassium bromide
Levetiracetam (Keppra)

Some dogs do well with one medication, while others need a mix. Your vet will help find the right plan for your dog.

Can Diet, CBD, or Supplements Help?

A ketogenic diet (high-fat, low-carb) may help reduce seizures.
CBD oil is being studied for its effects on seizures, but results are still mixed.
Omega-3s and B vitamins can support brain health but aren’t a replacement for medication.

Breeds Prone to Seizures

Some breeds are more likely to have seizures due to genetics, including:

Border Collies
Labrador Retrievers
German Shepherds
Irish Wolfhounds
Belgian Tervurens

Final Thoughts

Seizures can be overwhelming, but with the right care, most dogs can live normal lives. If your pup has a seizure, don’t panic—focus on keeping them safe and getting them the help they need.

If your dog has a first-time seizure or their symptoms change, reach out to your vet right away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can stress trigger seizures in dogs? Yes, stress and excitement can make seizures more likely in epileptic dogs.

Can dehydration cause seizures? Severe dehydration might contribute, but it’s not a common cause.

What toxins cause seizures in dogs? Chocolate, xylitol, certain flea medications, and rodenticides are big culprits.

Should I consider euthanasia for a dog with epilepsy? In most cases, no. With the right medication and care, many dogs with epilepsy live long, happy lives.

If you’re ever unsure, talk to your vet. They’ll help guide you on the best path forward for your furry friend.

References: