In dogs, like in humans, seizures can occur suddenly and without warning. Thankfully, dogs are much less likely to be injured during a seizure than humans because they're already so close to the ground—there's less of a fall risk. However, seizures can sometimes become emergency situations.

Some of the potential causes of seizures such as brain cancer and acute poisoning will also require veterinary care, so it's important to find out why the seizures are occurring. If you think that your dog may be experiencing seizures, read on to find out how you can tell, what you should do about them and when they're considered a medical emergency.

How Can You Tell if a Dog Is Having a Seizure?

When a dog has a seizure, they typically fall over on their sides and begin dog paddling. Sometimes dogs will start barking or yelping, and they may urinate on the floor. Seizures cause involuntary muscle contractions, so your dog isn't in control of anything he or she is doing during the seizure. In fact, your dog isn't conscious of it happening at all.

After the seizure, it's very common for dogs to exhibit behavioral changes. A seizure is a confusing experience for dogs, and different dogs will work out their confusion in varying ways. Some may become excitable, while others will be extremely anxious. Many dogs will have an extremely high appetite after having a seizure. These behavioral changes can last for hours after the seizure occurs.

What Causes Dogs to Have Seizures?

Seizures in dogs are most often caused by canine epilepsy. This is a genetic condition, and some dog breeds have it in their genetic history. Dogs who have the genes for this condition will acquire it as they age, and it can result in chronic seizures.

However, seizures can also be caused by poisoning, anemia, or even brain cancer. If your dog hasn't had a seizure before, it's important that you take him or her to the veterinarian for a diagnostic checkup. Your veterinarian will be able to determine whether the seizure was likely caused by canine epilepsy or if it had another cause.

What Should You Do When Your Dog Has a Seizure?

When your dog has a seizure, you need to stay calm and begin timing the length of the seizure. You should never touch your dog in an attempt to comfort him or her since there's a risk you'll be bitten accidentally due to the involuntary muscle contractions. Seizures can be difficult for pet owners to see, but your dog isn't conscious during the seizure and isn't feeling pain. From your dog's point of view, he or she just suddenly wakes up on the floor.

Most seizures simply end on their own, but they do sometimes become an emergency situation. Keep a close eye on your dog to determine whether or not he or she requires emergency veterinary care.

In most cases, seizures in dogs will only last 20 to 30 seconds. As long as your dog wasn't accidentally injured during the seizure, this isn't a medical emergency. However, you'll need to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian in order to determine what caused the seizure. For dogs with chronic seizures, a veterinarian can prescribe medication such as phenobarbital or levetiracetam that can reduce the frequency of seizures in the future.

When Should a Seizure Be Considered an Emergency?

If your dog's seizure lasts for more than three minutes or if your dog has another seizure within the same day, then you need to take your dog to an emergency veterinary clinic. Lengthy seizures or repeated seizures can lead to hyperthermia. The muscle contractions experienced during the seizure generate quite a bit of heat, and a dog isn't able to start panting to cool themselves down during the seizure. Hyperthermia is a serious condition that can potentially cause brain damage, so prompt treatment is incredibly important.

Keep in mind that some seizures are caused by poisoning. If you think that your dog may have eaten something toxic, then you should take him or her to an emergency vet immediately regardless of the duration of the seizure.

Ultimately, seizures are a distressing experience for dog owners to witness, but they are not always an emergency. When your dog has a seizure, your job as an owner is to monitor the situation and call an emergency veterinarian in your area if the seizure lasts for more than three minutes or if your dog begins to have multiple seizures. If the seizure isn't an emergency, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian so that the cause of the seizure can be found.

For more information, contact a resource like the South Seattle Veterinary Hospital.