Quick Answer
If your dog is seizing: stay calm, don't restrain them, clear the area, and time the seizure. Do NOT put your hand in their mouth. If the seizure lasts more than 3 minutes, go to the emergency vet immediately. Any first-time seizure warrants a same-day vet call. The most common cause is idiopathic epilepsy, which is manageable with medication.
Table of Contents
What to Do During a Seizure
The most important thing you can do during a seizure is stay calm and keep your dog safe. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Stay calm
Your dog is not in pain during the seizure. Panicking will not help. Take a deep breath and focus on keeping them safe.
Clear the area around your dog
Move furniture, sharp objects, and anything your dog could hit during convulsions. If they're near stairs, gently slide them away. If they're on a couch or bed, place pillows on the floor but don't try to lift them down.
Do NOT restrain your dog
Do not hold your dog down, hug them, or try to stop the movements. Restraining a seizing dog can cause injury to both of you.
Do NOT put your hand in their mouth
Dogs cannot swallow their tongue during a seizure. Putting your fingers near a seizing dog's mouth will result in a serious bite injury — their jaw muscles clamp with tremendous force involuntarily.
Time the seizure
Use your phone to time the seizure from start to finish. This information is critical for your vet. Seizures feel much longer than they are — what feels like 5 minutes is often 30-60 seconds. Video the seizure if possible.
After the seizure: comfort and observe
Your dog will be disoriented, confused, and may be temporarily blind (post-ictal phase). Keep them in a quiet, dark room. Speak softly. Don't offer food or water until they are fully alert. The recovery phase can last minutes to hours.
Critical: If the Seizure Lasts More Than 3 Minutes
A seizure lasting more than 3 minutes is called status epilepticus and is a life-threatening emergency. The brain can sustain permanent damage and the body can overheat. Get to an emergency vet immediately. If possible, have someone drive while you keep your dog safe in the back seat.
Types of Dog Seizures
Not all seizures look the same. Understanding the type helps your vet determine the cause and best treatment.
| Type | What It Looks Like | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Grand mal (generalized tonic-clonic) | Dog falls to side, stiffens, then paddles legs. May drool, urinate, or defecate. Loss of consciousness. | 30 sec - 2 min |
| Focal (partial) seizure | Affects one body part: twitching face, one leg jerking, or repetitive blinking. Dog may be conscious. | Seconds to minutes |
| Psychomotor seizure | Unusual behavior: fly-biting at air, staring blankly, sudden aggression, frantic running, or tail chasing. | Minutes |
| Cluster seizures | Two or more seizures within 24 hours with recovery periods between them. Emergency situation. | Multiple episodes |
| Status epilepticus | Continuous seizure lasting more than 5 minutes, or repeated seizures without regaining consciousness between them. | 5+ min (emergency) |
The Three Phases of a Seizure
- Pre-ictal (aura): Minutes to hours before the seizure. Your dog may act anxious, clingy, restless, or stare into space. Some dogs hide or whine. Recognizing this phase lets you prepare a safe space.
- Ictal (the seizure itself): The active seizure with convulsions, stiffening, paddling, drooling, and loss of consciousness. This is when you time the event and keep them safe.
- Post-ictal (recovery): After the seizure stops. Your dog may be disoriented, temporarily blind, wobbly, excessively hungry or thirsty, or restless. This phase can last minutes to several hours. Some dogs recover quickly while others take the rest of the day.
Most dogs with epilepsy live full, happy lives with proper medication management
6 Common Causes of Dog Seizures
| # | Cause | Age Group | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Idiopathic epilepsy | 1-5 years | Genetic, most common cause. Breeds: Golden Retrievers, Beagles, German Shepherds, Labs, Border Collies |
| 2 | Toxins & poisoning | Any age | Xylitol, chocolate, slug bait (metaldehyde), antifreeze, rodent poison, marijuana |
| 3 | Liver disease | Any age | Hepatic encephalopathy — toxins build up when liver cannot filter them, affecting the brain |
| 4 | Brain tumors | 5+ years | First seizure in a dog over 5 should prompt imaging. Boxers, Golden Retrievers, and Boston Terriers are at higher risk |
| 5 | Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) | Puppies, toy breeds | Small breeds and puppies under 4 months are most at risk. Also seen in diabetic dogs on insulin |
| 6 | Heat stroke | Any age | Body temperature over 106°F causes neurological damage. Brachycephalic breeds are especially vulnerable |
Other less common causes include kidney disease, electrolyte imbalances, infectious diseases (distemper, tick-borne diseases), head trauma, and congenital brain malformations.
When a Seizure Is an Emergency
Every first seizure should prompt a call to your vet. However, the following situations require immediate emergency veterinary care:
Go to the Emergency Vet Immediately If:
- 1. This is your dog's first seizure ever
- 2. The seizure lasts longer than 3 minutes (status epilepticus)
- 3. Your dog has multiple seizures within 24 hours (cluster seizures)
- 4. Your dog does not regain normal consciousness within 30 minutes after the seizure ends
- 5. You know or suspect your dog ingested a toxin
- 6. Your dog has a high body temperature (heat stroke)
- 7. Your dog is vomiting or having difficulty breathing after the seizure
Record the Details
Your vet will want to know: What time did the seizure start and end? What did it look like (whole body vs. one part)? What was your dog doing before the seizure? Could they have eaten anything toxic? How did they behave afterward? If possible, record a video on your phone — it is the single most helpful thing you can bring to the vet.
How Vets Diagnose Seizures
Your vet will start with a thorough neurological exam and history. Further tests depend on your dog's age, seizure pattern, and exam findings.
| Test | What It Checks | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Blood work (CBC/Chem) | Liver function, blood sugar, kidney values, electrolytes, infection | $100 - $250 |
| Bile acid test | Liver function (portosystemic shunt, hepatic encephalopathy) | $75 - $150 |
| Urinalysis | Kidney function, metabolic disease markers | $30 - $80 |
| MRI | Brain tumors, structural abnormalities, inflammation | $1,500 - $3,000 |
| Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis | Brain infection, inflammation (done with MRI under anesthesia) | $200 - $500 |
| Toxicology screen | Specific toxins if poisoning is suspected | $100 - $300 |
Idiopathic epilepsy is a diagnosis of exclusion — meaning the vet rules out all other causes first. If blood work and imaging are normal in a 1-5 year old dog, the diagnosis is likely idiopathic epilepsy.
Treatment & Medication
Treatment depends on the cause and seizure frequency. For idiopathic epilepsy, medication is typically started when a dog has more than one seizure every 4-6 weeks, has cluster seizures, or has had status epilepticus.
| Medication | How It Works | Cost/Month |
|---|---|---|
| Phenobarbital | First-line treatment, highly effective, requires liver monitoring every 6 months | $10 - $40 |
| Potassium bromide (KBr) | Often combined with phenobarbital, easier on the liver, slow to reach full effect | $15 - $50 |
| Levetiracetam (Keppra) | Newer, fewer side effects, minimal liver impact, given 3x daily | $30 - $100 |
| Zonisamide | Good add-on medication, given 2x daily, well-tolerated | $20 - $60 |
Never Stop Seizure Medication Abruptly
Suddenly stopping anti-seizure medication can trigger severe rebound seizures or status epilepticus, which can be fatal. If you need to change or discontinue medication, your vet will taper the dose gradually over weeks. Never skip doses — set reminders on your phone.
Living With Epilepsy
Most dogs with idiopathic epilepsy live full, happy lives with proper management. Here are key tips:
- Keep a seizure diary — Record date, time, duration, type, and any potential triggers for every seizure. Share this with your vet at each visit.
- Give medications on schedule — Consistent timing maintains blood levels. Even a few missed doses can trigger breakthrough seizures.
- Regular blood work — Phenobarbital and KBr require monitoring every 6 months to check drug levels and liver function.
- Dog-proof your home — Block access to stairs, pools, and balconies. Keep your dog in a safe area when you are not home.
- Avoid known triggers — Stress, overheating, flashing lights, and extreme fatigue can lower the seizure threshold.
- ID and microchip your dog — A post-ictal dog may become disoriented and run. Ensure they have current ID tags and a registered microchip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do when my dog is having a seizure?+
What causes seizures in dogs?+
When is a dog seizure an emergency?+
Can dogs live a normal life with epilepsy?+
How do I tell the difference between a seizure and fainting?+
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