If you’ve ever seen a pet seizure first-hand, then you know how unsettling these medical events are. Your beloved animal will completely lose control.
They may go stiff, start jerking, lose consciousness, and drool. They may even lose control of their bladder, too.
Sadly, your pet has no awareness of what’s happening. They’ll feel disoriented, and you’ll need to be strong and sure in your response.
Once the event is over, it’s also in your best interests to find out what caused it. Proactive prevention is key. Keep reading to learn more about pet seizures, how to respond to them, and what causes them.
How to Identify a Pet Seizure
Statistics show that pet seizures are not all that common. Many studies reveal that the risk of seizures in pets is very low. In fact, less than one percent of pets will experience a seizure.
With that in mind, you need to be able to identify when a pet seizure happens. You don’t want to misidentify a seizure.
In general, a seizure will be very unsettling for both you and your pet. Here are some signs to look for:
- Your pet becomes unstable and unable to balance or walk without an obvious reason
- Your pet starts to chew or chomp without food in its mouth
- Your pet starts foaming at the mouth or drooling
- Your pet collapses and starts to stiffen or jerk
- Your pet loses consciousness
- Your pet loses control of its bowels
There are different types of seizures, but in general, they’re all hard to ignore. You will know that something is wrong based on your pet’s behavior.
Responding to a Senior Dog or Senior Cat Seizure
If you think your pet is having a seizure, then you need to react in a calm manner. First, note what time it is so that you can determine how long the seizure lasts.
From there, do your best to keep your dog or cat safe. You may have to hold them to keep them from injuring themselves, but be careful in doing so. Remember, your pet isn’t aware of what’s happening, so they may bite.
Call your vet immediately once the seizure passes.
Common Causes of Seizures and How to Prevent Them
Sometimes, it’s challenging to identify what causes a seizure. About one in five seizures in dogs older than 6 don’t have an identifiable cause. Here are some of the most common reasons your pet might have a seizure:
- Genetics
- Eating poison like chocolate
- Hyperthermia
- Anxiety and stress
- Hypoglycemia
- Hypothyroidism
- Medication changes
In cases where anxiety is an issue, consider supplements like Ellevet for dogs. If medications are suspected, then consult with your vet. These small changes can prevent another scary medical incident.
Senior Pet Health: Help Your Pet Thrive
A pet seizure is not an event you want to ignore. You need to respond to these events with the same level of seriousness as the symptoms of a seizure.
That means figuring out the cause and becoming more proactive in preventing them. You’ll also need to know how to respond if another seizure happens again.
To learn more about treatments for seizures, it’s best to consult with a vet. If your pet is a senior, then we have plenty of products designed especially for them.
Check out our shop now to discover senior toys, supplements, and more!