Canine seizures are seen in various types and intensity. Some of these are simply partial, meaning that only a small part or just one side of the dog is affected. A petit mal will look as if the animal just collapsed; there are no convulsions. The worst and most common is the grand mal. Your pet will collapse and begin salivating and convulsing. They aren’t aware of their surroundings and may urinate involuntarily.
If you are watching very closely, you will see that there are three stages to a seizure. The aura, or pre-phase, is the beginning of the episode. Your pet may whine, seek affection, pace and appear generally restless. Next is the fit itself, known as the ictus. Symptoms include collapsing, vomiting, salivating, and convulsions. The recovery phase, or postictal, can last anywhere from minutes to possibly days. You might notice temporary blindness and the animal seeming to be disoriented.
Even in current times, we do not know the exact triggering of these episodes. It has been observed by many owners and veterinarians that attacks are most often triggered while the dog is in a state of excitement. Being happy to see people come in the door or just in general play is sometimes enough for those affected. Some dogs have also been known to seizure while asleep.
Several conditions and illnesses can bring out seizures. Diabetes mellitus, just as humans can be afflicted with, is one of these. It is a metabolic disease in which the pancreas produces too little insulin. This eventually leads to glucose levels that are dangerously high. Sometimes those levels can also be too low, causing hypoglycemia.
Ingestion or overexposure to various toxins can also be a contributing factor. For example, chocolate is highly toxic to dogs. You should never give them any. Another big toxin to watch out for is antifreeze. Also known as ethylene glycol, it has a sweet taste and aroma that is attractive to pets. Even the smallest amount can kill a large canine. Crystals will form on the kidneys, shutting them down and eventually killing the pet slowly.
Canine distemper, an extremely dangerous virus, can sometimes also cause seizures. This particular disorder completely ravages nearly every area of the dog’s body. It’s very contagious and also has an incredibly high death rate. The suffering of the animal during the process is great. Avoid contraction of this deadly illness by having your pet vaccinated against it each year without fail.
Although the above-mentioned conditions are common culprits, there are also several more. Your veterinarian will run tests to rule out each disease. If a direct factor cannot be found, the dog will most likely be diagnosed as an epileptic. This only means that he has recurring seizures not caused by a different condition. Commonly appearing in ages of six months to five years, a chemical imbalance in the cerebrum is suspected to be responsible for spasms.
If your dog goes into canine seizures, the best thing you can do is remain calm. Remove any other animals or small children from the room. To prevent injuries from a fall, put him on the ground if he isn’t already and away from sharp objects. It’s a myth that they will swallow their tongue, so avoid putting your hand in their mouth; you might get bitten. Observe your pup closely so you can describe the episode to your vet. They should be called immediately if it goes on for over three minutes or has an immediate repeat.

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