A practical guide to identifying seizure symptoms, understanding causes, and knowing when to seek veterinary care
Read Time: 4 minutes
Watching your pet experience a seizure or sudden neurological episode can be frightening and overwhelming. While not all neurological events are life-threatening, many require immediate veterinary attention—and quick action on your part can help protect your pet from injury.
What Is a Seizure?
A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled burst of electrical activity in the brain that can cause a wide range of symptoms in pets, including muscle twitching, convulsions, loss of consciousness, unusual behaviors, or staring spells. Seizures can last from a few seconds to several minutes and may occur just once or in repeated episodes. They are typically a sign of abnormal brain function and can be caused by conditions like epilepsy, toxins, low blood sugar, or head injury.
What Are the Signs Your Pet Is Having a Seizure?
When a pet is having a seizure, the signs can range from subtle to dramatic. Some seizures involve full-body convulsions, while others may look more like brief periods of confusion or staring. It’s important for pet owners to recognize the symptoms so they can respond quickly and appropriately.
Common signs a pet is having a seizure:
- Sudden collapse or falling to the side
- Jerking, twitching, or paddling movements of the legs
- Stiffening of the body
- Foaming at the mouth or excessive drooling
- Unresponsiveness or staring into space
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Vocalizing, whining, or growling
- Dazed or confused behavior after the episode (known as the postictal phase)
- Temporary blindness or difficulty walking afterward
If your pet shows any of these signs, especially for the first time or if the seizure lasts more than a couple of minutes, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
🛑 What To Do if Your Pet Is Having a Seizure
First and foremost, try to remain calm. Your pet isn’t aware of what’s happening and won’t be in pain during the seizure. Focus on keeping them safe by gently moving any furniture or sharp objects out of the way. Avoid touching their mouth or trying to hold them down, as this can result in accidental bites. If possible, turn off bright lights and reduce noise to create a calm environment. It’s also important to time the seizure—if it lasts longer than 2–3 minutes, seek emergency veterinary care right away. After the seizure ends, your pet may be confused or disoriented, so stay close by, speak gently, and comfort them.
What to do if your pet is having a seizure:
- Stay calm and focused.
- Move dangerous objects out of your pet’s way.
- Do not touch their mouth or try to restrain them.
- Turn off lights and reduce surrounding noise.
- Time the seizure—over 3 minutes is an emergency.
- Stay with your pet as they recover and offer comfort.
📞 When To Call the Vet Immediately
Call your veterinarian immediately if:
- It’s your pet’s first seizure.
- The seizure lasts longer than 3 minutes.
- Your pet has multiple seizures in a short period.
- Your pet doesn’t seem to recover normally after the episode.
Recording the seizure on video (if safe to do so) can be helpful for your vet in determining the cause and best course of treatment.
What Can Cause Seizures in Pets?
Seizures in pets can have many underlying causes, ranging from temporary issues like low blood sugar to chronic conditions like epilepsy. Some causes are relatively harmless if managed properly, while others may signal a more serious medical concern.
Common causes of seizures in pets include:
- Epilepsy: A common neurological disorder that causes recurring seizures with no identifiable cause. It often develops in otherwise healthy pets, especially dogs.
- Toxin exposure: Ingesting harmful substances like human medications (e.g., ibuprofen, antidepressants), chocolate, xylitol (a sweetener), certain plants, pesticides, or rodenticides can trigger seizures.
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia): Particularly common in small-breed puppies, diabetic pets, or those who haven’t eaten in a long time.
- Liver disease: When the liver fails to filter toxins from the blood properly, it can lead to a condition called hepatic encephalopathy, which may cause seizures.
- Kidney disease: Build-up of waste in the bloodstream due to poor kidney function can lead to neurological symptoms, including seizures.
- Head trauma: A fall, accident, or blow to the head can damage the brain and trigger seizures, either immediately or later.
- Infections and inflammation: Brain infections (like distemper, meningitis, or encephalitis) or high fevers from systemic infections can affect the nervous system.
- Brain tumors: More common in older pets, tumors can place pressure on the brain and cause seizure activity.
- Heatstroke: Severe overheating can cause swelling in the brain, leading to seizures, especially in hot climates like Florida.
- Genetic predisposition: Certain breeds are more likely to develop seizures, such as Labrador Retrievers, Beagles, German Shepherds, and Border Collies.
If your pet has a seizure, it’s important to consult your veterinarian to determine the underlying cause and the appropriate treatment or management plan.
Other Neurological Emergencies in Pets
While seizures are one of the most recognizable neurological issues in pets, they’re not the only sign that something may be wrong with the nervous system. Neurological emergencies can affect the brain, spinal cord, or nerves—and they often appear suddenly, requiring quick veterinary intervention.
These emergencies can be caused by trauma, inflammation, infection, tumors, or vascular issues like stroke. The signs may vary depending on the affected area, but any sudden changes in coordination, behavior, or physical function should be taken seriously.
Common signs of neurological emergencies include:
- Sudden loss of balance or coordination
- Head tilting or walking in circles
- Inability to stand or walk (paralysis or weakness)
- Eyes darting back and forth (nystagmus)
- Muscle tremors or spasms
- Collapsing or fainting episodes
- Disorientation or confusion
- Unexplained aggression or personality changes
If your pet shows any of these symptoms, it’s important to call your veterinarian right away. Neurological conditions can worsen quickly and may become irreversible without prompt treatment.
Examples of neurological emergencies include:
- Vestibular Disease: Often mistaken for a stroke, this condition affects balance and can cause dizziness, head tilt, and stumbling. It’s especially common in older dogs.
- Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD): A spinal issue where discs press on the spinal cord, causing pain, weakness, or even sudden paralysis.
- Encephalitis or Meningitis: Inflammation of the brain or spinal cord caused by infection or immune-related disease. Symptoms may include seizures, fever, and personality changes.
- Stroke: Though less common in pets than in people, strokes can cause sudden disorientation, loss of balance, or vision problems.
- Neuromuscular Disorders: Conditions affecting the nerves or muscles, such as myasthenia gravis, can cause weakness, fatigue, or difficulty swallowing.
When in doubt, trust your instincts. If your pet is suddenly “not acting like themselves” or shows unusual physical symptoms, err on the side of caution and contact your veterinarian.
