For virtually every person seeing your four legged friend having some sort of a fit almost always is a very upsetting and disconcerting event to witness. You should not have to worry about something like this happening to an animal that is our best friend. Once you know what to look for and identify the causes you can put your mind at ease. Getting the right help is possible when dealing with seizures in dogs.

This medical condition in dogs does not mean that your pet is going to die. Not at seizures are the same. Some can last longer or dogs can experience them quite often but each one varies.

When your dog falls over or becomes rigid he or she has had something called a Clonic Tonic seizure. This generalized seizure will continue for approximately half a minute. Your canine friend will appear to go rigid. Once this has passed, the limbs may flail about as if it is flailing in mid air. On careful inspection you will notice that the mouth is clenching. In effect there are 2 stages which they go through with this type of fit.

Dogs having an absence seizure could suddenly become extremely listless and silent. They may may blink or stare blankly. They may roll their eyes, or make a smacking sound with their lips. Multiple signs and symptoms may be present during a partial seizure including specific muscle tensing and then alternately contracting and relaxing, low barking or growling and involuntary turning of the eyes.

An episode beginning with a motionless stare or is known as a Complex Partial seizure. This is followed by a series of involuntary movements, possible vocalizations, and eye movements. A fit lasting longer than 10 minutes could be fatal and should be seen to immediately.

Multiple occurrences of episodes is considered to be a Cluster Seizure. The behaviour may be affected in the beginning phase, and your dog may salivate continuously, or make strange whining noises. In addition to this, they may urinate over themselves. In the next stage of this condition a dog may start to convulse and become stiff as if paralyzed. In the final stage the seizures may cease, but the dog will appear dazed and confused, maybe disorientated and not appear to recognize where he or she is.

Do not try and retrain your canine friend when he or she is having a fit. Under no circumstance should you put your fingers in the mouth of a seizing animal, he will not swallow his tongue. The last thing you need when trying to help your pet is a visit to hospital yourself. Stay calm at all times, the fit will pass.

Take note of all the things that you dog does during a fit. Have your dog evaluated by your local vet and put on medication. Be as specific as possible when describing the symptoms. Once treated your companion can be with you for many years to come.

I have more information about canine seizures at my Website. You may also be interested in reading my article on stages of seizures in dogs.