What should I do?

Although seizures are scary to watch, it’s unlikely that a dog will choke or hurt itself during a typical epileptic seizure, so try not to panic. Make sure your pet is in a safe position out of danger—such as falling down a flight of stairs. Dr. James Lavely, a board-certified veterinary neurologist at VCA Animal Care Center of Sonoma in Rohnert Park, California recommends, “Be a scribe.” In other words, carefully observe and write down what’s happening to your pet during the seizure and give this detailed information to your family veterinarian.

Here’s a list of information Dr. Lavely suggests to capture in your notes:

A detailed description of your pet’s behavior.
What parts of the body are affected (ex: left side, right side) and how (ex: kicking, barking, salivation).
How long the seizure lasts.
The date and time.

When is a seizure an emergency?
“If you suspect that your pet may have ingested a toxic substance, or if your pet is having difficulty breathing, emergency care should be pursued,” advises Dr. Jeff Dennis, of Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center in Overland Park, Kansas, who is board certified in internal medicine. “Also, if the seizure lasts more than five minutes, or if seizures happen multiple times in the same day, it’s an emergency situation,” he stresses. “Any seizure can be serious, so in all cases, be sure to notify your family veterinarian about the suspected seizure and behavior you’ve observed in your pet.”

Clinical trial offers free medical care for qualifying dogs
There’s currently a clinical trial underway to evaluate a new treatment for dogs with idiopathic seizures (seizures with no known cause). The study is regulated by the FDA, and if your dog qualifies, free medical care may be available. For more information, see the “Help Available” page. To learn if there’s a study site near you, ask your veterinarian, or call us toll free at 1-888-598-7125, ext. 208.