Recognize when your dog is having a seizure! :
Seizures are one of the most scariest things to watch happen to our beloved pets.
One moment your dog is sitting next to you, content and relaxed, the next moment he is lying his side, paws scrambling at the air, drooling and shaking. Scarier still, when full-body convulsions strike and his nose is arching over his back to touch the base of his tail.
Seizures are one of the most scariest things to watch happen to our beloved pets.
One moment your dog is sitting next to you, content and relaxed, the next moment he is lying his side, paws scrambling at the air, drooling and shaking. Scarier still, when full-body convulsions strike and his nose is arching over his back to touch the base of his tail.
At this point, you may think it would be obvious what it happening, but to most dog owners, it is not. Seizures can look remarkably like your dog is choking to death, and I cannot describe how badly my arm got mangled the first time I tried to retrieve what I thought was choking my dog when he had his first seizure.
Pre-Ictal:
This is stage at the beginning, the onset of a seizure. Some dogs have a very recognizable Pre-Ictal stage, such as head-shaking, batting at the air, and "fly-catching" where the dog takes a few snaps at the air as if trying to catch a fly. Watch your dog for signs that a seizure is about to start. If you notice a pattern developing, keep track of the times between Pre-Ictal and Ictal (actual seizure). These signs may help your veterinarian in diagnosing your dog's problems.
This is stage at the beginning, the onset of a seizure. Some dogs have a very recognizable Pre-Ictal stage, such as head-shaking, batting at the air, and "fly-catching" where the dog takes a few snaps at the air as if trying to catch a fly. Watch your dog for signs that a seizure is about to start. If you notice a pattern developing, keep track of the times between Pre-Ictal and Ictal (actual seizure). These signs may help your veterinarian in diagnosing your dog's problems.
Ictal
This is the actual seizure. Seizures come in three degrees of violence.
Petit Mal - This is the seizure that is often missed by pet owners. Tremours, excessive drooling, whining, loss of balance, and often spontaneous urination characterize this type of seizure, which is just as serious a seizure as the Grand Mal.
This is the actual seizure. Seizures come in three degrees of violence.
Petit Mal - This is the seizure that is often missed by pet owners. Tremours, excessive drooling, whining, loss of balance, and often spontaneous urination characterize this type of seizure, which is just as serious a seizure as the Grand Mal.
Grand Mal - This is the violent type of seizure. Grand Mal Seizures often have recognizable convulsions, foaming at the mouth, rapid jaw-snapping, body contorsions, uncontrollable defecation and urination, paws scrambling, and loss of consciousness.
Status Epilepticus - Status Epilepticus is what a long seizure is classed as. If your dog's seizure lasts for longer than five minutes in either degree, seek immediate, emergency veterinary care!
Status Epilepticus - Status Epilepticus is what a long seizure is classed as. If your dog's seizure lasts for longer than five minutes in either degree, seek immediate, emergency veterinary care!
A dog in a seizure can very easily hurt themselves, you need to be sure that there is nothing that will do injury to your dog when he is thrashing around. Do not stick anything in your dog's mouth, such as spoons, sticks, or your hands.
Post Ictal:
The stage immediately following the seizure. The dog regains consciousness, but the trial is not over yet. Post Ictal stages can contain a variety of reactions. Some dogs experience blindness, loss of balance, uncoordination, loss of bladder and bowel control (if they haven't yet), confusion, fright, and deafness.
A dog in a Post-ictal stage needs you to comfort him.
The stage immediately following the seizure. The dog regains consciousness, but the trial is not over yet. Post Ictal stages can contain a variety of reactions. Some dogs experience blindness, loss of balance, uncoordination, loss of bladder and bowel control (if they haven't yet), confusion, fright, and deafness.
A dog in a Post-ictal stage needs you to comfort him.
One thing I learned during my dog's blind period (which lasted from thirty minutes to an hour)was to keep contact with him. I often had him sit on my lap and soothed until I recognized that he could see me again. A blind dog will try to reach you, and try to keep contact, or find a spot to release his bladder and bowels, often walking into walls, falling down stairs, or just falling over in an attempt to reach his destination.
Seizures can Kill:
Yes, a seizure can kill your dog. It is extremely important to have your dog professionally diagnosed by a veterinarian, and have him medicated. Seizures cut of oxygen to the brain, and put a terrible strain on the dog's heart, often resulting in brain damage, or heart failure.
Yes, a seizure can kill your dog. It is extremely important to have your dog professionally diagnosed by a veterinarian, and have him medicated. Seizures cut of oxygen to the brain, and put a terrible strain on the dog's heart, often resulting in brain damage, or heart failure.
Your dog does need to see a veterinarian immediately. There are a few different anti-convulsants available for canines. Phenobarbitol is a popular choice (phenobarbitone in other countries), Potassium Bromide is another. Your veterinarian will know which one will suit your dog's needs.
Epileptic dog owners the world over have also had great success with a holistic diet, and also canine acupuncture.
Epileptic dog owners the world over have also had great success with a holistic diet, and also canine acupuncture.
