Although seizures are rarely fatal, they signal severe problems with the electrical activity in your dog’s brain. Seizures in dogs lasting more than five minutes are especially serious and require emergency veterinary attention. But, any seizure your dog has should be reported to your vet in order to try to determine its cause.
A dog having a seizure may appear anxious just before the event occurs and your pet may come to you looking for help. Limb stiffness and twitching as well as swimming motions the dog makes with its legs are common signs of a seizure. Vomiting may also occur. If a seizure is happening, you should make sure your dog is in a safe place, but otherwise not interfere. After a seizure, take your pet to the vet as soon as possible.
Here are some of the most common causes of/risk factors for seizures in dogs:
Breed Susceptibility
Some dog breeds are prone to inherited metabolic disorders that may cause seizures. The list includes, but is not limited to, Labrador and Golden Retrievers, Beagles, Huskies, Poodles, Irish Setters, Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniels and Wire-haired Fox Terriers. The genetic causal conditions may involve a high ammonia level in the body or low blood sugar.
Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)
Along with breeds susceptible to low blood sugar that may cause seizures, puppies of any breed are also prone to the condition. Dogs with Addison’s disease often have issues with hypoglycemia as well. It’s important to consider your pet’s blood sugar levels when getting vet check ups. If hypoglycemia is a problem, your vet will advise you on how to tell if your dog’s sugar level is too low and how to bring it back to normal.
Liver Disease or Kidney Failure
Older dogs especially are prone to kidney or renal failure of which seizures could be a symptom. Other symptoms include increased thirst and urination, blood in the urine and bowel upset. Liver disease is another cause of seizures in dogs and there may be no early signs. Light-colored stools, along with increased thirst, unexpected weight loss and vomiting may then occur along with seizures as canine liver disease advances.
Brain Tumor or Head Trauma
A brain tumor or head injury can cause seizures in dogs. Your vet can do a scanning test to determine whether any brain injury or tumor is present. It’s important to note that symptoms of head trauma such as seizures may not occur immediately after an accident or injury, but could even take months before the disruption of electrical brain impulses results in a seizure.
Toxins
Many garden and household chemicals are seriously toxic to dogs and ingestion of these can cause seizures. You can prevent your dog from environmental toxin related seizures and other ill effects by making sure there is no possible exposure to rat poison, snail bait, flea powder, bug spray, pesticides, lead paint and household cleaners. Chocolate can also cause seizures in dogs, so a box of chocolates or other chocolate-filled treat should never be left on a surface where your dog may jump or climb to reach it.
Other Causes of Seizures in Dogs
The neurological disorder, epilepsy, is usually considered by vets as a cause of seizures in a dog if all other possibilities are ruled out. The vet will then do tests to determine if a diagnosis of canine epilepsy is an accurate one. Distemper is a common cause of seizures in dogs, especially puppies. Distemper symptoms such as runny nose, diarrhea and coughing shouldn’t be overlooked. Some vaccinations can cause canine seizures if the dog is allergic to the protein in the vaccine. Heat stroke can also cause seizures in dogs, so even on warm rather than hot days, pets should never be left in vehicles and they must always have access to fresh water.
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