Old dog seizures, or seizures at any other age, probably rank pretty high on the list of things most dog parents hope they never experience. Seizures are scary—plain and simple. But integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby is here to help. With compassion and understanding, she discusses how to recognize seizures, why they occur, the types of seizures, how they are treated, and what to do if your dog has a seizure.
If you’ve ever seen a dog have a seizure, you know it’s scary. Your dog is fine one moment and then completely abnormal the next—his movements may be erratic or uncontrollable. Even if the seizure only lasts a few seconds, it can feel like an eternity. It may even be hard for you to describe what you’ve seen. As difficult as the moment of your dog’s seizure is, there is some comfort in knowing that your dog is not in pain.
Learning more about seizures in dogs may not make them any less scary in the moment. However, it can help you understand how to comfort and safely care for your beloved dog during the seizure. Also, it can give you an idea of what to expect afterward, and what you can do in partnership with your veterinarian in the future to help your dear dog.
What are old dog seizures?
First, let’s define what a seizure is—and what it isn’t.
Think about the brain as the command center of the body. It sends electrical impulses to various parts of the body to cause an action—be that walking, barking, or breathing. Normally this is a good thing. But what if the brain temporarily goes haywire, sending random electrical impulses out willy-nilly? Well, that is sort of what happens when a dog has a seizure.
The medical definition of a seizure is an involuntary neurologic event due to temporary abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Pretty much this means that for a short period of time, the brain is sending out uncontrolled, abnormal electrical impulses.
When these impulses reach their target in the body, they may cause atypical body movements like head tremors or jerking of the legs. They can also cause behavior changes. The exact signs will be determined by the area of the brain where the abnormal electrical activity was centered.
What kind of seizures do dogs have?
The different types of seizures in dogs include:
- Psychomotor seizures: Affected dogs may stare into space or seem to be in a daze. These strange behaviors are not typically accompanied by abnormal physical movements.
- Focal or partial seizures: When abnormal electrical activity only occurs in one area of the brain, a dog exhibits localized signs. These may include movement of only one limb, facial twitching, or chewing movements.
- Grand mal or generalized seizures: These severe seizures affect multiple areas of the brain and may cause complete loss of consciousness and violent limb movements.
It is a seizure or something else?
Dog parents will understandably sometimes confuse seizures with another abnormal event called syncope. The term syncope is used to refer to a fainting, collapsing, or passing out event, often due to underlying heart disease in dogs. Looking at when the seizure occurs may help differentiate the conditions.
Syncope is mostly triggered by excitement, coughing, or some other activity. In contrast, seizures can occur when a dog is resting. Also, there are usually signs that indicate when a seizure is about to occur or has just occurred. Syncopal events do not have these warning signs.
It also helps to check the color of the dog’s gums and tongue if you can do so safely. You may notice your dog’s gums are pale or blue during a syncopal episode due to poor oxygen delivery. This is not typically seen in short seizures that only last a few seconds or minutes. (Don’t use your fingers to check gum color if your dog is actively convulsing because your dog could accidentally bite you.)
Two other conditions that may be confused with a seizure are old dog vestibular disease (aka doggy vertigo) or a stroke in dogs. In these conditions, a dog may be unable to stand, have a head tilt, or have eyes that are rapidly moving back and forth. However, unlike some seizures, the dog will be alert and responsive to you. Signs of vestibular disease or stroke may also last for days, and seizures typically last for a few seconds or minutes.
What do seizures look like?
When picturing seizures in older dogs, many dog parents imagine erratic movements and paddling of the limbs. However, not all seizures are this violent. Additionally, there are periods of time before and after the actual seizure where you may notice your dear dog is not acting right. It’s important to recognize those as part of the seizure event too.
There are three phases to a seizure event. Each name uses the term “ictal” which means “relating to a seizure.”
1. Pre-ictal phase, i.e. aura
During the pre-ictal phase, a dog displays unusual behavior. He or she may seem restless or confused, act nervous, or try to hide. Some dogs will seek out their owner. You may notice crying, shaking, or drooling. The pre-ictal phase can last for a few seconds or up to several hours.
2. Ictal phase
The ictal phase is when actual seizure activity occurs. In a psychomotor seizure, some dogs will stare into space and appear unresponsive. This is known as “star-gazing” because it looks like they are staring at the sky. They may also have a “fly-biting” seizure. As the name implies, the dog will bite at the air around the head as if trying to catch a buzzing fly.
During a focal or partial seizure, a dog’s ears, eyelids, or face on one side of the body may twitch. They may also move a limb or limbs abnormally. These dogs may or may not have altered consciousness. In some cases, a focal or partial seizure will progress to a generalized or grand mal seizure.
Grand mal seizures involve the loss of body function and consciousness. In some cases, dogs will lie down and twitch or convulse. They might smack their lips or bite at the air, and their legs will lock up and appear tense. Affected dogs may also lose control of the bowels and bladder.
In other cases, dogs will suddenly fall over and start paddling their legs. Their head and neck may arch backward, and they may cry out and whine while this is happening. These seizures appear particularly violent and can be very frightening to witness.
3. Post-ictal phase
After a seizure has finished, dogs may be more aware of their surroundings, but they are still not 100% normal. They may stay in one place, pant and drool excessively, and appear restless, disoriented, or confused. This phase may last for anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour.
What can I do to help my dog?
If your dog is having a seizure, it is important to stay calm. To protect your dog and yourself from injury:
- Cushion your pup’s head with a pillow or blanket
- Use pillows to support your dog
- Move furniture or other dangerous items away from your dog
- If your dog is near stairs or in another dangerous location such as on a bed or couch, carefully move your dog to a safer location on the floor.
- Remember not to stick your fingers in your dog’s mouth because you might accidently get bitten. You dog’s airway should be ok.
Tracking seizures
Once your dog is in a safe place, you can try capturing a video of the seizure. Now that most people have smartphones, this is pretty easy to do. Sharing the video with your vet can help him or her verify it was a seizure and classify the seizure type.
It also helps to keep a seizure journal that lists the date and time of the seizure. You can jot down how long it lasted, what happened exactly, and if there were any specific triggers.
In some cases, the excitement of playing or eating can alter a dog’s brain activity, increasing the risk of a seizure. In fact, I had one patient who had seizures whenever he played with a yellow tennis ball. Once his owners figured that out, it was a pretty easy fix.
It can also be helpful to record any new food, treat, or medication you gave your dog around the time of the seizure. Certain flea and tick preventives or other medications may increase the chances of seizure activity.
What causes seizures?
Seizures may happen for a variety of reasons. Some of them include:
- Low blood sugar (This is primarily seen in young puppies, diabetic dogs who receive too much insulin, or dogs with insulin-secreting tumors.)
- Head trauma
- Various toxins including xylitol toxicity in dogs
- Idiopathic epilepsy (The true cause for this condition is unknown. But it usually starts in dogs between the ages of one and four years, and is more common in certain breeds.)
- Bacterial, viral, protozoal, or tick-borne infections in dogs
- Congenital abnormalities
- Benign or malignant (cancerous) tumors
- Kidney or liver disease
- Electrolyte imbalances
Why do old dogs have seizures?
If an otherwise healthy senior dog starts having seizures, there is usually an underlying cause. This is in contrast to younger dogs who are more likely to have idiopathic epilepsy where no cause can be found. Whenever I see an older dog with new onset seizures, my top differentials are metabolic diseases and tumors.
Senior dogs are more prone to kidney and liver disease. As either of those organs fail, toxins build up in their blood stream. When these toxins reach the brain, seizures can occur. Also, older dogs are more likely to have diabetes mellitus. If they become hypoglycemic (have low blood sugar), they may have seizures.
Finally, older dogs are at a higher risk for tumors. An insulinoma (insulin secreting pancreatic tumor) can lead to low blood sugar. Also, seizures can be caused by benign or malignant tumors in the brain. Some tumors originate in the brain. Others metastasize (spread) to the brain from cancer elsewhere in the body.
What tests will my vet perform?
In order to narrow down the list of causes we discussed above, your veterinarian may recommend:
- Blood tests to evaluate organ function, blood sugar, electrolytes, and blood cell numbers.
- X-rays of the chest or abdomen.
- MRI or CT to look for brain inflammation or tumors.
- Additional specialized testing.
What is the treatment for old dog seizures?
Your vet will consider several factors when determining how to manage your dog’s seizures. One component of treatment involves addressing the underlying cause of the seizures, if one can be found. The other component is anti-seizure medication. Your vet will ask you questions about how often your dog is having seizures, how intense they are, and how long they last.
Consideration for choosing anti-seizure medications
If the following criteria apply to your canine companion, anti-seizure medication may be needed:
- Severe seizures lasting longer than five minutes
- Cluster seizures (two or more in 24 to 48 hours)
- Multiple seizures in a month
Your veterinarian may prescribe anti-seizure medications like phenobarbital for dogs, potassium bromide, levetiracetam, or zonisamide. Some dogs start out with just one of these medications. If seizures are still not well controlled despite routine medication usage, your vet may prescribe a second or even a third medication.
Clients sometimes ask me about CBD oil for dogs because they have heard it is a possible seizure treatment in humans. At this point, there is very little scientific evidence to support the use of CBD oil for dogs with seizures. However, bigger clinical trials are currently underway.
It is important to remember that the goal of anti-seizure medications is to decrease the severity, frequency, and duration of the seizures. Anti-seizure medications may not stop your dog from ever having another seizure.
The decision to start anti-seizure medications isn’t always clear cut. You and your veterinarian must work together to decide what is best for your dog. These medications require careful monitoring, sometimes have undesirable side effects, and are often needed lifelong. However, they also have the potential to greatly improve the quality of life of dogs with seizures.
When are seizures an emergency?
Watching a dog have a seizure is terrifying. It may be hard to know when you need to immediately rush your dog to the vet, and when you should call and make an appointment. Here are some criteria that may help:
1. How long did the seizure last?
Seizures often last a few seconds to several minutes. Try to start a stopwatch or look at the time when the seizure activity starts so you can track the seizure duration.
Status epilepticus is the term used to describe a seizure that lasts longer than five minutes or two seizures that occur back to back without regaining consciousness. This can cause brain damage and dangerous increases in body temperature.
Call your vet immediately if you suspect status epilepticus and/or take your dog to the nearest emergency clinic.
I cannot emphasize this enough. Status epilepticus is an emergency where time is of the essence.
2. How many seizures did your dog have?
Sometimes multiple seizures will occur within a 24 to 48 hour period of time. These are known as cluster seizures. While not as urgent as status epilepticus, you should still call your veterinarian immediately if your dog is having cluster seizures.
3. Is this the first time your dog had a seizure?
Finally, whenever a dog has a seizure for the first time, they should be seen by a veterinarian for a full evaluation. Some dogs will have a seizure one time and never again. Other dogs will continue to have more seizures through their lifetime. The term “epilepsy” is used to describe this recurrent seizure activity.
When in doubt, it is always better to err on the side of calling your vet. That way, he or she can help you decide what is best for your dog’s situation.
When should euthanasia be considered?
Sometimes clients will ask me, “How do I know when it is time to put down my old dog with seizures?” This is such a hard but important question. Unfortunately, there are times when seizures cannot be adequately controlled with medications and we are out of options.
Other times a dog is in status epilepticus and the damage to the body is too great. The underlying causes of seizures like organ failure and cancer can take a toll on a dog’s body. Any of these factors, and others, may decrease a dog’s quality of life. As a result, devoted dog parents may make the heartbreaking decision that euthanasia is the kindest choice.
Ultimately, I can’t tell you when it is time for your dog. Only you can make that decision. I can however, offer you these resources that may help guide you through the process:
- Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
- Grieving the Loss of a Dog After Euthanasia (& Finding Peace)
- Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
- How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
- Saying Goodbye to Our Dog: Dr. Buzby’s Heartfelt Story of How Her Family Spent the Last Days With Luke
If you think your dog’s quality of life is declining due to seizures, talk to your veterinarian too. Like you, he or she has your dog’s best interests in mind and can help you work through this difficult decision.
Three parting pieces of advice
If there were three things I could tell dog parents to remember it would be this:
- Seizures are scary for everyone. Stay calm. Do what you can to keep your dog safe but don’t get injured in the process.
- Try to record as many details about the seizure as you can. The more information you can give your vet the better.
- Your vet is your ally. Communicate with him or her about how your dog is doing and don’t be afraid to call with concerns.
It may never get easier to watch your dog have a seizure. But armed with the information in this article, I hope you and your dog can navigate old dog seizures with a bit more confidence.
What is one piece of advice you want to share with others about seizures in senior dogs?
Please comment below.
My dog of 15 has started to have violent seizures. this article helped me understand what he is going through more. Sadly we do not have the money to get him checked out or even buy medication even if we did get him checked. we will be putting him down tomorrow.
Dear Javier,
My heart aches for you as you face this emotional decision for your pup. I hope his passing will be peaceful and smooth. Wishing you comfort and healing for your heart. Bless you. ♥
I know you went through this year’s ago now, I just want you to know I am so sorry for your loss.
my small poodle had, at least what I think was, a seizure in April. she was wiping her nose and just collapsed and started twitching. it was over in less than 30sek. and she just got up and was looking fine. nothing was happening till 3 days ago when she broke into high fever and was rushed to the vet. low CA, calcium and GLU, glucose blood results. she had another episode last night and another this morning, so 2 in less than 24 hours.
what should we be paying attention to? what are the right questions to ask about treatment?
we’re going to the vet first thing in the morning..
thank you for this article!
Hi Marcela,
I am sorry your little pup is facing this worrisome health issue. Without examining her myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions and recommendations. The presence of a fever has me very concerned, and I am glad you planned to have her evaluated by your vet the next day. This may require some in-depth investigation (x-rays, ultrasound, etc.). What did you find out? Hoping your vet was able to get some answers and proceed with the appropriate treatment. Praying all is well and for a positive outcome for your sweet girl.
Our Puggle had a small “biting air” seizure last Thursday night, She had an grand seizure just after midnight, It was the most awful thing I’d ever seen, then another at 3:30am. I was up with her all night. She has no seizure history but was closing in on 15 years old. I called the vet 1st thing in the AM. After some discussions we decided to put her to sleep. Her appointment was in the Afternoon, she started seizing hourly.
In closing, her last seizure was at 2:20PM at home. Arrived at the Vet at 3:00. Once our baby was prepped we got to spend some time with her, She had her leg bandaged where the drug would be placed. It was now 3:10 and we where on the floor with our baby, she was wiggling her tail and chowing down some tasty treats. Molly spent the last 5 minutes of her life, showing us and receiving love. We are blessed that she did not seize up at the Vet.
At last I held her in my arms as the Vet injecting the life ending drugs. We thank god for those 5 precious minutes…….
Dear Rick,
I am so sorry you were faced with the difficult decision to say goodbye to Molly. What a blessing you were gifted with those last minutes of peace and able to lavish her with love and affection. Hoping you can take comfort in knowing you did everything you could to ensure she didn’t have to suffer needlessly. May Molly’s memory stay with you always and wishing you brighter days ahead.
My almost 10 years old boxer had her first seizure in March of this year and then a second within 24 hours. She’s been put on 750mg of Keppra and has been seizure free up until July 10th and again today July 16. I am going to speak with her regular vet tomorrow but just wondering what a next step would be just to wrap my head around it for the time being.
Hi Sarah,
I understand your concern for your pup with the recurrence of her seizure episodes. Because these seizures are still pretty infrequent (2 in a month), your vet may want to wait and monitor the situation. It is a good idea to keep a journal of all the details surrounding the seizures (time of day, length, what was happening just prior to, etc.) to see if a trigger can be determined. If your vet does think additional treatment needs to be pursued, they will likely talk about adjusting the dosage of the Keppra or adding in a second anti-convulsant medication. Also, if you haven’t done any testing to rule out the possibility of a tumor or other contributing factor, your vet may bring up the option of talking with a veterinary neurologist. Hoping this helps to prepare you for the conversation with your vet today. Wishing you and your sweet girl all the best!
Thank you for this article. You have really broken it down well into very understandable terms. I have 2 senior dogs. My cattle dog mix has had epilepsy since he was a year old and has been doing well on K-Bro. The other night my 11 year ild English Shepherd had his first seizure. We think he may have also had a small seizure earlier in the day because he came in looking “off” and was unexplainably wet on one side. He has been fine since then but I plan to get him evaluated as he has also been having on and off loose stools and has been doing some odd teeth chattering now and then. Praying its not serious but now with the seizure added in I’m not sure what to think. Thanks for all your helpful info. I feel better prepared to discuss this with our vet.
Hi Claudia,
I am sorry you are dealing with seizures in both of your senior dogs. Thank you for the great feedback about the article and I am glad you now feel more prepared to talk with your vet. Hoping they will have some great ideas and will help you find a clear path forward. Wishing you all the best as you continue life’s journey.
I have an 18 year old Blue Heeler-Rat Terrier mix who had his first seizure Nov 2020 when he was 15 then didn’t have another for 3 years ( then two in 12/2023). Since then they have been increasing in frequency. He started Keppra 01/2024 and was provided intranasal midazolam to break the seizure; he was seizure free for about 3 months and I was hopeful they were controlled. But then it was 3/7, 3/8, 3/23, 4/27, 5/17, 5/28, 6/7 and his most recent one just after midnight 6/19. He gets his labs done every 3 months and other than a history of slightly elevated liver values, for which he takes Denamarin, his numbers are good. My vet says that at his age she will support me at any time I want to euthanize Harley. He does have some mild CCD, complicated by his blindness, with severe separation anxiety/ anxiety barking that makes it challenging to leave him alone for most any time at all and I have peace mostly only when he is sleeping. But between seizures, he still enjoys eating, seeks out treats, sunbathing when it’s cool and sniffing the air in the backyard (he is blind); and while he sleeps a lot, he still roots around his bed with pleasure, making happy little grunting noises. So it’s hard to say now is the time to end his life, despite that *my* quality of life is greatly suffering. But that seems a selfish consideration. He is my boy and I love him so much. The vet has just added zonisamide which I am starting him on today; I hope it works without side effects. I wish I knew when the right time is.
Dear Rachelle,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult situation with Harley. I can only imagine the stress you are under daily as you are the sole caretaker for your pup. While I know you want to do what is best for your boy, please remember your quality of life matters too! I will attach links to other articles with more information and advice on how to know when to say goodbye. Hoping the zonisamide will offer some relief and praying for comfort for you both. Harley is lucky to have you taking such good care of him and advocating for his well-being. Wishing you brighter days ahead and keep up the good work.
1. When Caring For A Sick Pet Becomes Too Much: Pet Caregiver Fatigue
2. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
3. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
4. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
Hello,
My 2 year old cockapoo had a 1-2 minute seizure the other afternoon, his first. He stiffened and shook but didn’t seem to lose consciousness and afterward he seemed okay, no drooling or anything. Just kinda worn out.
We took him to the vet for blood tests the next day, and his ALT was 240 and his BUN is also elevated, but everything else was normal, including his other liver markers and his electrolytes.. Would you suspect that he has kidney or liver disease, causing the seizure, or something else causing all three? The vet suggested we do the bile-acid test and/or give him liver support supplements. But is this getting at the cause or just the symptom of something like a tick born illness? I did find a tick on his dog bed the other day but not one on him. And he’s been itching for three weeks and I had been trying to solve that when this happened. He’s also had diarrhea and it seems like his nose was runny.
Thank you! 🙏
Hi Sunny,
I am sorry your young dog experienced this worrisome seizure episode. While there are many possible causes, with the changes to his lab work and his young age, it makes me suspicious about exposure to a toxin or poison. Of course, without playing a personal role in your dog’s medical care I can’t make specific conclusions. I do think checking for tick borne diseases would be wise and probably need to rule out leptospirosis as well. Hoping your vet can get some answers and find a clear path forward with treatment. Wishing you all the best of luck and praying for a positive outcome.
Hi, I am hoping you could guide me. This was so informative but I still don’t think I can categorize my 17 yr old cockapoo’s seizures. What happens is we will notice a slight cough/gag, then legs will give out, the first time tightening and arching her back. Seizure lasted only seconds. Clear eyes from beginning to end but bladder release and somewhat tired after incident. Otherwise, back to normal. There have been 4 incidents in the last 2 years. She has been treated for allergies, which are currently under control and as a pup, Lyme disease. She recently tested again and was treated with antibiotics. Could these types of seizures be due to allergies and/or Lymes? Her blood tests came back good with a slight elevation in kidney. She was also diagnosed with a heart murmur. Our vet is wonderful but not sure what direction we should go. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Pauline,
I understand your concern for your senior girl with these worrisome episodes she is having. While seizures can have a wide range of signs and symptoms, there are other conditions that can look very similar. Without examining your pup myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions. One thing that comes to mind is syncope. This is a fainting spell related to heart issues and since you mentioned your girl has a murmur, this may need to be investigated further. Also, if you are able to get one of her episodes on video, that could be extremely helpful for your vet when trying to make a diagnosis. If this is truly a seizure disorder, your vet may recommend starting an anti-seizure medication at some point. I generally do not recommend medication unless the seizures are occurring more than once a month or if cluster seizures are happening multiple times in a day. You can always ask for a referral or consultation with a specialist if needed. Don’t feel guilty for speaking up and advocating for your dog’s health and well-being. You are doing a great job! Wishing you all the best and keep up the good work.
hi,
I have a large breed dog mixed presa canario and doge de Bordeaux
he is 10 years old. He has always been a healthy dog never had to have any vet visits or anything until he was just turned 9 September he had bloat, they flushed his stomach and thankfully at that stage didn’t need surgery. then February (he was still 9 so only a few months after) he got bloat again and had emergency surgery.
these are the only health concerns he ever had. normally full of life and still in his head thought he was. puppy.
However last weekend we heard a commotion and came downstairs and he had his first seizure lasted maybe 1 minute, he was excessively drooling after had pale gums and very week for about 20 minutes after.
Woke up the morning and he has had another one a week a part this time lasting 2 minutes we set up a derma after his first one so managed to get footage of this mornings to show the vet. I called hem this morning but need to call back at 9am.
his seizures seem like grand mal seizures and happen of a morning early (both happened around 6:30) so similar times ?
this last year we can tell his aged so quickly he was so lively before but now getting more grumpy, struggling on his usual dog walking route, weaker and just I general old looking etc so worried for him. got him when I was just 17 years old his literally grew with us
Dear Billie,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult situation with your big guy. I understand your concern for him with this new seizure activity he is displaying. I hope your vet was able to find some answers and make a plan for treatment. Praying all is well and wishing you many happy years together. Bless you and your sweet boy.
My 15 year old Greyhound Lab mix has had bad allergies for several years, but other than that she has been healthy. I have always done natural supplements and foods to help her over the years. A year ago her kidney levels started to rise. She had a grand mal seizure 3 weeks ago, and the Animal Emergency put her on Keppra which is the least invasive. She also has osteoarthritis. Since you mentioned walking issues I wanted to let you know my vet reccomended I use the Assisi loop for her joints and have seen really good improvement after a few weeks of use. My vet office does laser treatments, but is too expensive to do it enough to help her. She is making good progress over time with this. I hope this is helpful to you !
Linda 🙂
Hi Linda,
Thank you for sharing your experience and offering this great suggestion. Hoping your girl is doing well and still living her best life. Best wishes to you both! ♥
Hello,
So my 8 yr old chihuahua Maria (We call her Flea) started off this year with her first seizure, after that she had a seizure at the end of every month until now, during the seizure she foams from the mouth and bleeds for the mouth, sometimes she pees or poops, and she jerks her legs like she is running in place. She had her April seizure on the 30th it was shorter then the others so I was happy, thinking they were getting better, and then she had another seizure a few days after (Today). She is the sweetest thing ever. I really hope this doesn’t mean she is going to die soon, and that these seizure aren’t painful!
Dear Mag,
I am sorry Maria is experiencing these worrisome seizure episodes. Typically, seizures are not painful, and they do not necessarily give any indication of how long a dog will live. Many dogs live long full lives and have seizure disorders. It is very interesting that you are seeing them occur at such regularly timed intervals. It makes me suspicious of a specific trigger that may be occurring at the end of each month. I would encourage you to keep a journal of events and see if you can narrow down a trigger or cause. Is this when you are giving monthly prevention? Does a member of the household leave or travel for work at this time each month? Are you having your yard treated or sprayed with something monthly? These are just the first things that come to mind. Please reach out to your vet and let them know about these ongoing issues. It is possible a simple medication could get things under control and prevent further seizure activity. Hoping all is well and praying for many happy years ahead for Maria.
hi I have a 6 year old chihuahua who had his first seizure the vet said he had a Corso seizure and that all his blood work came back normal but what is worry me this happen yesterday but he still is acting right he just starred in space he is barely walking and still sobering he won’t eat or drink anything he just looks so lost I was just wondering how long this will last
Dear Lorrie,
I am sorry your little pup experienced his first seizure. I am glad his lab work was normal, but I agree these ongoing symptoms are worrisome. I strongly recommend you contact your vet and make them aware of his abnormal behavior. This could be an emergency situation. Hoping all is well today and praying your boy has made a full recovery. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
Our almost 17yo rat terrier had either a suspected seizure or panic attack (or both). The episode lasted about an hour in total- I went to take him outside after a nap, and he started barking a very fearful bark. He then started running, full speed, tearing through the house, crashing into things, even ran full speed straight into a wall a couple times before I could corral him. He was completely unresponsive to anything while this was going on. When I finally was able to corral him and hold him, he was still barking, panting and trying to run. He had his front paws curled under a bit, and completely unable to be calmed. He had lost control of his bladder and bowels when he was running. He seemed terrified. It was awful, but he finally responded to gabapentin and came out of it. Our vet wasn’t sure what happened but suspected seizure or panic attack. Labs are pending. Could this have beeen a seizure lasting that long? Ralph does have CCD
Hi Stephanie,
I am so sorry you had to witness this terrifying episode in your senior guy. Honestly, I have never seen anything quite like what you describe and don’t have any great ideas about what the cause could have been. How has Ralph been doing since then? Any other strange behavior you have noticed? Hoping this was a one-time event and praying all is well. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
I have been searching the internet today bc my 11 year old Maltese had a similar experience this morning. She jumped off her bed out of nowhere and started frantically barking. She ran full speed into the chair then the wall and would have gone straight off a 6 ft ledge if my husband hadn’t pinned so I could run down the stairs and grab her. It was really weird as she’s blind and hasn’t moved that fast in 3 years. Totally freaked my 6 mo old lab out. This is the first person I’ve come across in an hour that had a similar experience. Any suggestions would be awesome.
Dear Keri,
I am sorry you had this scary experience with your senior girl. Unfortunately, without examining her myself it is hard to make specific conclusions and recommendations. I do think it would be wise to have her evaluated by your vet. They can offer any testing needed to rule out the most common causes and conditions. How is she doing today? Has there been another episode like the one you described? Hoping all is well and praying this will be a thing of the past. Best wishes to you and your sweet girl.
Hi, I have 2 brother chihuahuas that will be 8 years this July and a week ago around 2:30 am I woke up and went to bathroom, Max has always slept with me and Casper sleeps In basement where his human brother slept,anyway when I get up Max will get under my pillow , this time I heard a cry that I hadn’t heard before then stopped for a few seconds then started again I hurried to him and his head was stretched back eyes opened It was so heartbreaking, I rushed him to the vet hospital which said he would need an MRI which would be at the low end 1000 dollars so I took him home waited till his vet opened took him there, She kept him a few hours did bloodwork , 3 XRays and said everything looked okay said he had heart murmur,enlarged heart and potassium was low but nothing that would cause a seizure. After his seizure on his right side both his arm and leg he limped on . All my vet said was to watch him to see if he takes another one then we can talk about seizures meds. But this was 1,500 dollars later but these are just like n my human kids . It broke my heart to see Max seizing and crying a cry I had never heard before so my heart goes out to all these fur baby parents. I guess my question Is Do they always have seizures or Is It possible that he could only have the one? I know he needs an MRI which I can’t understand why that wasn’t done instead of XRays . Thank you
Hi Carolyn,
I am so sorry Max endured this scary seizure episode. Yes, there are instances where a dog will have just one seizure and it is never a problem again in the future. I hope Max falls into this category! The reason your vet did x-rays is because most general practice hospitals do not have access to MRI. MRI is something that a patient is usually referred to a specialty hospital for. Your vet was very thorough to take x-rays! I am sure they were trying to make sure there was no obvious sign of a mass or cardiac disease that was severe enough to cause seizure like episodes called syncope. I am not sure I have ever had a client actually pursue an MRI for seizures (although recommended) as the treatment is usually the same no matter what is causing the seizure activity. Hoping your sweet boy is still feeling great and living his best life. Take care and give Max and Casper a hug for me!
Thank you very much for this site, it really helped. Our senior just had her second seizure in two months, both had all the symptoms of grand mal, both over a minute but less than two. She’s 15 years old, half Rhodesian Ridgeback and half from a good neighborhood. She was a rescue we took in 9 years ago and has been great company. On her last visit to the vet he said she was “3 years past her expiration date” but for her age was in very good condition. The after effect was same for both, she couldn’t walk but insisted trying to get to her feet. I held her up, holding all her weight but let her have her feet on the floor. We crab walked to her bed and I got her down as comfortably as I could. She kept struggling for a few minutes trying to get up but she could hardly lift her head, and her eyes kept saying ‘no one home’ She drifted off to sleep for 20 minutes then woke up all bright eyed and looking for a treat. Still couldn’t move anywhere near getting up and finally resigned herself to sitting this one out. If I can offer any advice it would be that if the seizure is a big one, get everything out of the dogs way so they don’t injure themselves on furniture or roll down a flight of stairs. Don’t be a hero by trying to comfort the dog and keep clear of the dog’s mouth. Their brain is off on a rollercoaster ride without you and they don’t even know you’re there. They’ll come back to you a while after the seizure has passed. Then get your dog comfortable and clean up the mess, there will be one, and then you can plan the next move.
Hi Pete,
I am sorry you are dealing with this difficult situation with your senior girl. What a blessing she has you to comfort her and make sure she is safe during her seizure episodes. Thank you for being willing to share your experience and offer advice to others. Wishing you comfort and strength as you continue navigating this hard road ahead. Bless you and your sweet girl. ♥
Hi our little Jack Russell, Nipper, is nearly 20. He does not see or hear very well but is still a happy loving little chap. Over the past 2 years he has had occasional seizure, he had one today the first in about six months. They last less than a minute and he tends to be sick and urinated. Then he gets up a bit confused has a cuddle and a clean then tends to have a long sleep then back to his normal self. Don’t know how much longer we will have him for bit he has just got up and trotted outside no problem.
Dear Janis,
I am sorry Nipper is dealing with these ongoing seizure episodes. Try to make the most of the time you are gifted and spoil him rotten. Wishing you both comfort and peace and praying you can find joy in each day. ♥
Hi
My dog, Amy is almost 12 and starting having seizures out of the blue one day, we rushed to the vets and did some blood test and it turned out l, She had a blood infection so we put her on antibiotics for seven days and after that first initial for 48 hours waiting for the antibiotics to kick in, she was fine. however, just after five weeks, she started having seizures again. she’s asleep when this happens every time. We do alternate her food from wet dog meat to biscuits so we’ve now cut out all the biscuits and just going on the wet dog food, which, after reading this article led me to think maybe it’s due to electrolytes and blood sugar levels. Is there any supplements I should be giving her or any recommendations that I should be doing that I’m not she’s healthy she loves going for a walk she’s very playful, she’s still very with it. She had five seizures in 48 hours , and when I went to my vets, they said she’s probably just prone to them now and to monitor and if they get more than two minutes to go back to them.
Hi Emily,
I am so sorry your senior girl is experiencing these worrisome episodes. While it is possible for seizures to occur at any time, it is odd to me that your dog is only having issues when sleeping. Is there any way you can get one of these seizures on video? It may be that these are not seizures at all. Witnessing this abnormal behavior on video could help in getting a definitive diagnosis and then would help your vet move forward with treatment. Also, you can always request a consultation with a neurologist if needed. Hoping you can get some answers and ensure Amy remains happy and healthy. Wishing you both the best!
Hi Dr Buzby, My 12 year old dog is also only having issues about once a night. She wakes herself up with a few high pitched squeals that have me running to wherever she’s laying. She then gets up but feels rather stiff to me. She keeps her head down and I noticed her front right paw being held up off the floor. While that normally indicates pain in that paw, I examined it and she had no flinching during examination. Also took her to my vet who clued me into the possibility of seizures. She’s been started on Gabapentin (last 2 nights) but has also woken up screeching the last two nights as well. During the day, she’s her usual self: likes walking, biscuits, snoozing in the sun. Thank you for letting me describe her nighttime issue.
Hi Barrie,
This is so strange! Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I hope your girl is starting to show some improvement as the Gabapentin has more time to take effect. Wishing you all the best and praying for a positive outcome for your pup!
My little 13 yr old 10 lb dachshund, Sammy, just had his first seizure at noon today. He was sound asleep before it started. I took him straight to the vet. He had a heart murmur so x-rayed his chest and he has an enlarged heart. We are starting medicine. We went home. At 5 pm he had another grand mal seizure. Again, he was sound asleep prior to it starting. It lasted 2 full minutes. I have a video and can share it. I am thinking it may be a long night. Lisa
Dear Lisa,
I am so sorry you are dealing with these scary and worrisome seizures with Sammy. Please make sure your vet is aware of how frequently they are occurring. They may be able to give you another medication to have in case of emergency to use as a rescue drug at home. Hoping the night went better than expected. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
Hello,
My girl was a 15 year old Lhasa apso/shih tzu I just put down. She was blind and deaf, pretty much slept all day and was a lovely senior lady. She had her first seizure on a Tuesday afternoon, came out of it fine. Had another one Wednsday morning at 6 am, she did defecate on herself. I took her to our vet at 9am and had bloodwork done. She was anemic. Our vet explained to me that most likely she had a brain tumor which was causing the cluster seizures. She told me at the age of 15, almost 16, medication wouldn’t really help at this point. She also had dark, black stools for a few days prior which the vet explained could be cancer or ulcers. She told me the seizures would most likely progress and get worse and closer together. She said there was a chance my girl would pass during one. The vet gave her an estimated 24/48 hours to a few days to live. She said she would most likely decline very rapidly with the seizures. After leaving the vet that morning, she had 2 more seizures within 5 hours. We made the decision to euthanize her, I did not want her to suffer (I didn’t realize she wasn’t in pain during the seizures bc she would cry horribly during them) and with what our vet told me, it seemed it would have been selfish of me to wait it out or take a few days to spend with her. Now that it has been a few days, I am finally doing my research and I don’t know if what my vet told me was really true or if she was just pushing me to euthanize. I am afraid we made the wrong decision and am so heartbroken over it. It seems older dogs can respond to medication for seizures and she might not have passed within a few days from the seizures. I just don’t know. I don’t know why I am leaving this comment, I guess more to get it off my chest. Thank you for all that you do and for all of the information.
Dear Lauren,
I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved senior girl. I can only imagine how much you miss her and understand why you are pondering all the “what ifs” of the events of the past few days. While I can’t say for sure what the outcome would have been if treatment had been pursued, I can say that from the symptoms you mentioned, I too would have brought up the subject of euthanasia. It concerns me that something was happening to cause bleeding into the GI tract to the point of causing anemia. Cancer would definitely have been high on the rule out list. With that and the cluster seizures, I probably would have made the same choice to say goodbye to one of my own. I am glad you were willing to get all your thoughts and emotions out by posting your comment here. You are definitely not alone. I pray with time your grief will fade and it will be replaced with comfort as you think back on all the wonderful times you shared with your sweet girl. May her memory continue to be a blessing in your life. ♥
My Maltese is 15 and a few months ago started having grand mal seizures —-
Sometimes one every couple weeks and sometimes one each day or two —
These are a few seconds and she comes right out— everything else seems very normal except her breathing seems somewhat labored. She is still playful and eating well but stays very very close to me.
I took her to my vet and immediately after looking they suggested euthanasia—
That was a couple months back when it started. I decided that she will indicate to me when I need to do something like that. Right now I am spending as much time with her and letting her and her baby boy spend time together for now.
This is rough —-
Dear Pamela,
I am so sorry you are facing this difficult situation with your senior girl. Did your vet explain why they thought euthanasia was the best choice? It is ok to pursue palliative care, but I also wonder if your girl wouldn’t benefit from trying an antiseizure medication? Hoping you can find the best way to keep her comfortable and maintain her quality of life. Wishing you both peace.
About 36 hours ago( late on a Sunday night), my 15 yr old dachshund lady had what looked like a seizure(although there was no mouth foaming,or shaking, just unresponsive, a stiffness in one leg and a blank stare). This was maybe 4-5 minutes but seemed like a long time. Afterwards, she was restless and wobbly but was finally calmed enough to rest off and on through the night with my husband laying beside her. I called the vet first thing on Monday morning (yesterday,) We have an appointment today. She is not eating,(but is occas sipping water, is peeing, has defecated once) and is sleeping ALOT. Is this normal? Everything I’ve read says it can take up to 24 hrs to return to normal but it’s been longer.
Hi Judy,
I understand your concern for your Dachshund and think it is good you are searching for advice. After having a seizure, a dog should return to normal function within minutes but definitely within an hour or so. If your girl is still having strange changes to her behavior and it has been longer than 24 hours, then this is extremely abnormal. It makes me suspicious that something else may be contributing to her situation that needs further investigation. Hoping your vet was able to get some answers. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. Wishing you both the best and praying for a positive outcome.
My Lily is 14/15 she is on medication for arthritis, quite deaf and does not see very well. She is also on phenobarbitone. for fits or syncope which have been quite well controlled. She is now having cluster episodes which are frightening. I don’t want to lose her because in between episodes she still has a reasonable quality of life, she has a 10 min walk and sniff, loves her food and cuddles. Am I being selfish wanting to keep her going?
Hi Diane,
I am sorry Lily is having these breakthrough seizures. I don’t think it is wrong at all to want to get things under control and give her more time as long as she isn’t suffering. It is possible her phenobarbital dosage just needs to be adjusted. Also, some dogs end up needing a second medication added to their daily regimen. I highly recommend you contact your vet and see how they would have you proceed. There is also a small chance that these new cluster episodes are symptoms of something else that is now contributing to Lily’s issue. You can discuss things with your vet and see if any additional testing is needed. Hoping for quick answers and a clear path forward. Bless you and your sweet girl.
Hi,
Our dog meatball has been around for 12 years. My oldest son got him on his 4th birthday and they have shared a birthday ever since. My two other children love meatball as well, he’s just always been a constant in their lives. He’s so patient and playful even though his human brother is a rambunctions 3 year old and his sister is a wild 10 year old. This year on their birthday Meatball had a grand mal seizure then 3 hours later he had another. Our vet unfortunately wasn’t open because it happened on a Saturday.. Me being a nurse I tried to do what I would do to a human, unfortunately I’m a labor and delivery nurse so my skills are limited in seizure activity. Meatball continued having seizures until the the following Monday when I was able to get him into the vet. The vet told me my options were to leave him there over night which would be upwards of 2000 dollars or send him to a neurologist which would be about 5000. Meatball is absolutely worth every penny but I also have 3 Children who I support on my own so I did what I could and asked if I could take meatball home with some medicine to help the seizures. I was given phenobarb and told to bring him back in 10 days. We are on day 4 and meatball is not the same dog, he’s miserable, he whines, and acts lost everywhere he goes, it is truly heartbreaking. He has had 2 seizures since he started that medication and I can’t even see a glimpse of the old meatball he once was. My 10 year old daughter gets so upset when he seizes and cries for hours.My question is,, is he suffering? Am I being inconsiderate and prolonging his life for my own selfish reasons?! I didn’t mention he also has really bad arthritis, so he’s always been sore and somewhat weak and this makes it so much worse.
Dear Sarah,
I am so sorry Meatball is struggling and you are facing some difficult decisions. I wish I could tell you how to proceed but there are just too many possibilities to consider. This seizure activity could be due to something more serious such as a brain tumor or cancer, but it could also just be epilepsy that needs a higher dose of phenobarbital, or a secondary medication added to his daily regimen. Ultimately, the most important factor is Meatball’s quality of life. If you have concerns about whether he is suffering, it may be a good idea to talk to your vet about treatment options or even palliative or hospice care. There are also house call veterinarians that specialize in this area that can help guide you through this difficult period. Here are a couple links to other articles with more information:
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Dog Hospice Care Can Bring Peace and Dignity to Your Dog’s Final Days
I hope you can find the resources you need to make the best choice for everyone involved. Wishing you strength and comfort and praying for a positive outcome.
Thank you for the article. I have a question about symptoms preceding seizure. Does peeing and vomiting abnormally before the seizure a sign of toxin-caused seizure?
Sadly, my 14+ year old Bichon Frise (maybe a mixed) passed away amidst a seizure of more than 30 minutes, Before the seizure, he peed in the room and vomitted abnormally (typically he would bark for us to bring him out). However he looked aware and fine, although we were worried about his vomit (different from his usual bout) and thought of going to vet in the morning. Unfortunately, about 15 minutes after the peeing and vomitting, hee went into seizure and passed way in our car journey to vet. He was brave and sustained for more than 30 minutes while we were to slow to find a vet at midnight.
At first we thought it was old age. However, our neighbour’s dog also died similarly the same night. Both dogs have been out and might be eating something near the same patch of ground. My dog was only there about 4-5 hours before the seizure. We suspected it might be toxin-caused. Nonetheless, we did not have chance for necropsy.
I would like to know if there is a way to know whether his seizure and eventual death is due to toxin, and wonder if abnormal peeing and vomit can be sign for seizure or toxin, such that in the future (if we have another dog), we would know that we should have started getting to vet when the abnormal peeing starts rather than waited until the seizure happens which can be too late, especially where we live is lack of emergency vet.
Dear Shi Min,
My heart goes out to you with the recent tragic loss of your senior boy. While abnormal urination and vomiting prior to a seizure do not definitively point to a toxin, these are potential signs of toxin exposure. With the similar symptoms and death of your neighbor’s dog, I am extremely suspicious of a toxin or poison as the cause. It would be a good idea to closely inspect your property and any shared space both dogs had access to and look for anything suspicious. This could be anything from a poisonous plant to antifreeze. Again, I am so sorry for your loss. Wishing you comfort and peace as you find your way forward.
my baby
had seizures only as time went on I had him checked blood works etc, as time progresses he got a little better, he still had the unbalanced gait the glazed look the head of set go of his food and water till the very last one he got up to walk all excited, then he collapsed, he didn’t respond to me he was some where else he just laid in his bed covered over , I couldn’t stand seeing him like this I rang my vet and took him in, the vet was very good they checked him I asked is he in pain, they said he wasn’t well and is suffering, I then made the choice and held him close and told as I always did I love you.and he was gone . my only consideration was he was no longer suffering he has been gone three years he was nearly 15.
Dear Susan,
I am sorry for the loss of your beloved pup. What a blessing you were able to give him a peaceful goodbye. I am certain your presence was a comfort in his final moments. Thank you for sharing your story with us. May you find comfort and peace as you continue life’s journey.
HI,
Moose, my 10 year old pug had a seizure tonight. I realized that he had one last December but we saw the effects of the tail end (wobbling, foaming at the mouth and peeing. Since we did not see the actual seizure, I was not sure sure, until tonight that it was a seizure. This came on from a sound sleep and he had a number of stiff sudden movements. When he stopped he seemed to have trouble breathing and once he was able to catch his breath he as quite rattled and also tweaked his back. He has a back issue that has been calm for months so we have not given him medication (Galliprant). Since it is Thanksgiving my vets office is closed until Tuesday. We will see what she says when we get an appt.
Hi Vicky,
I am sorry Moose experienced another seizure. They can be scarry to witness but luckily, they leave no lasting effects in most cases. I hate that Moose aggravated his back injury during this most recent episode. It is good you are planning to contact your vet as soon as they reopen. They may want to check some lab work and even try some medication. Hoping all is well today and your sweet boy is living his best life. Best wishes to you and your senior guy!
Last night at about 10:00 Pm I was laying on the couch and my dog Bella who is 11 years old was laying on the other couch. Then all of a sudden I see her whole body shaking excessively and then she started foaming at the mouth. It definitely lasted a quite a few minutes feeling like an eternity! She was crying and shaking and foaming., breathing really heavy, and then all of a sudden she stops panting instantly and looks at me like I am a stranger: it was Devastating because of coarse this was my first encounter with this so I defiantly panicked! Then she would not stop passing and was very confused! I finally got her to calm down after about 20 minutes… she later on the kitchen floor. I go to my room for prob 10 minutes and I hear her shaking again!! This time she foamed at the mouth lots and was excessively shaking . The second one did not last as long but the after math was just as bad and could barely walk! So I looked up the emergency vet info. I called and they said I needed to bring her in now! It was about an hour drive, once we get there I help her on the sigh scale and she starts seizing again! She apparently have another seizure that morning then they call me and let me know she is not responding to her vision!! They call me back about 6 hours later saying she hasn’t had another one since the last one but her vision is still not there… now I lay here devistated and so scared for that morning call praying to god that her vision comes back!! My house is small and has lots of stairs outside and I am scared to death to have a senior dog at home that can’t see and has seizures. Is she going to be scared all the time? I am So worried! I guess at this point I have to take it day by day.
Dear Megan,
I am so sorry Bella is suffering with these recurring severe seizures. With so many occurring in such a short period of time it makes me very suspicious about exposure to a toxin or poison. Was the ER able to narrow down a cause? Hoping your girl was able to stabilize and start the recovery process. How is she today? Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. Keeping you in my thoughts and praying for a positive outcome.
We adopted our 2 yr old foster dog last July who we had a month with no issues. She got spayed & vaccinated then the next day she had a seizure. She got stiff with head wobbling then some shaking then she came out of it like nothing happened & went back to whatever she was doing before like nothing happened. She’s a yorki mix & also has a heart murmur. She had 4 seizures first month day after spay, she was also pregnant. then 3,4,2,1,0,0 1&1 (per month) they last 7 min total including shaking. Blood tests came back normal any thoughts?
Hi Eva,
I am sorry your little pup is having these ongoing issues with seizures. It is quite possible she has epilepsy or some other neurological cause for her seizures. I suspect it is a coincidence that you saw the first seizure after her spay and with these types of seizure disorders it is quite normal for there to be no abnormalities on their blood work. I strongly urge you to talk to your vet about starting an antiseizure medication. Most dogs respond very well, and it allows them to live a long happy life. Hoping you can find a way to offer your girl some relief and wishing you both the best of luck!
Hello! My dog, a micro Maltese female, had her first seizure in January this year, it was the first time in her life, she’d always been very healthy and didn’t have any issues whatsoever. Unfortunately (or fortunately) I didn’t get to witness this first episode, but my family took her to the vet as soon as she regained consciousness. I heard it lasted a few minutes and she was foaming and swallowed her tongue (she doesn’t have teeth anymore because of tartar buildup, so her tongue is pretty loose) which my father was able to get back from her throat. The vet did a blood test which revealed a high concentration of lipids and some other substances. We then switched her to a low fat diet to get her to lose some weight. They also suspected a liver disease so they prescribed medication for that. She lost a considerable amount of weight in a short amount of time and didn’t have any other seizures so we thought the problem had been solved. Two months later, however, she had another episode. We took her to the vet again and they prescribed her anticonvulsant medication. Just like before we thought she was ok again, but she started having seizures again after around 2 months. So since January she has been having around 2 seizures (or more) every 2 months. Since they don’t last long and aren’t to severe I wouldn’t worry, but so far she has lost control of her right eye and now, from a seizure she had 2 days ago, of her tongue, which has made it very difficult for her to eat. I’m sorry this is so long, but i’m honestly very worried for her and I really don’t want her to suffer any longer, and I also don’t want to lose her. Thank you so much for your article, i’m sure it has helped many people with similar problems!
Dear Duda,
I am sorry your little pup has endured so many issues over the past few months. You are right to be concerned and I understand why you are reaching out for advice. Is your girl still taking the anticonvulsant medication? If your pup is still having these breakthrough seizures even while taking an anticonvulsant, please make sure your vet is aware. They may need to adjust her dosage or combine her current treatment with an additional medication. It can take some time to get things stabilized and find the right balance with these drugs. Also, it is an option to ask for a consultation with a veterinary neurologist. They might have ideas about treatments that may not be readily available in general practice. Ultimately, you have to trust your intuition as you know your girl better than anyone else. If her quality of life has diminished and she is no longer finding joy in her days, saying goodbye may be the most loving option. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best decision for everyone involved. Praying for your strength and clarity as you navigate this difficult road.
My dog Bailey started the same thing 9 months ago, I felt like I was being pushed to euthanize him. I asked the doctor if I could do doggy hospice at home, she said yes?! They’ve given me Valium suppositories for him I give them when I see his “aura” or behavior that he has prior to every seizure, I have phenobarbital, keppra, And yesterday he started zonesimide . He’s 12 now, and he still runs with my two, 3 year old dogs, he LOVES to eat, especially treats, and follows me around everywhere. He loves going to my Dads backyard and would stay outside all the time if I’d let him, and he still goes on walks. Still has good quality, but, over the last 3 weeks the seizures and odd behavior have gotten closer and closer together. I’ve cried every day for 5 days straight because I know it’s time. I’m always able to stop the seizure right at the beginning, but then he is higher than a kite for a couple hours.
I’m 51, he’s my first dog, and he changed my life! I wasn’t a big animal person. But I got Bailey for my 8 year old son, and well he ended up to be my dog lol. After having him, and interacting with him I learned so much about love, and compassion for all living things. Spiders, mice (I actually scared the cat away from a little mouse he caught in the living room and carried the little mouse back outside in the woods.) I love this dog with every freaking fiber of my being, I’m crying as I write this. I understand how you feel. I pray that he will go in his sleep, but if not I’ll have to do what I’ll have to do, but by God, it will happen in our home. I can’t stand the thought of taking him somewhere he’s already scared to go, with strangers, and other animals, to die in a little room hundreds of other dogs have died in.. I just can’t do it to him . I’m poor, well since inflation I’m poor, but I’ll make sure he goes at home. Much love to you and your baby. Whatever decisions you make are best, only you know what and how and when it should happen. God bless you and your baby.
🤞❤️🩹
Dear Shannon,
My heart goes out to you as it sounds like you may be facing an emotional decision for Bailey. It is clear he is dearly loved and am I certain he knows how much he means to you. Thank you for offering sympathy and support to others as you navigate your own difficult path. Wishing you strength and peace. Bless you and your sweet boy. ♥
My dog Fox (corgi/pom x rescue) is between 15 and 16 years old. 2 night ago my partner and I woke up at 5am to him seizing on the floor of our bedroom off of his bed. we moved him gently to his bed and just laid hands on him and talked softly and reassuringly. it was very scary but i have worked with dogs for years and have been well acquainted with seizures. it was a grand mal seizure and lasted about 1-2 minutes from when we realized it was happening. when it was over he was completely paralyzed and seemed to be blind as well. his breathing was labored and he was so terrified. I just held him and took him into bed with us. I held him for hours because I really thought he was going to die. the next morning he miraculously stood outside when I brought him out. he did his business and throughout the day became more and more like himself. it is now the next day and he is showing no symptoms of the seizure anymore except maybe being a slight bit more clingy and wanting to be held. I am really hoping this was a one off. I will not be bringing him to the vet due to his age and his bounce back. I just wanted to share a perspective of what seems (fingers crossed) to be a one off. hopefully it won’t happen again.
Hi Brette,
I am so sorry your senior guy had to endure such a severe seizure episode. I can only imagine how difficult it was to watch him struggle but what a blessing you were able to be by his side the entire time. I am glad he was able to recover and seems to be feeling well again. Praying this is all behind you and wishing Fox many happy days ahead.
Hi! Feel free to ignore this, but if you’re willing to share an update, has Fox had another seizure? (For your sake and Fox’s, I sincerely hope not.) My senior girl just had her first seizure and my vet suggested that a first seizure at her age was unlikely to be a one off. I know it would be a single data point, but I’d love to hear that Fox is doing well and it hasn’t happened again.
Hi Elissa,
I am sorry your girl experienced her first seizure episode. I understand your concern and hope it will not be an ongoing issue. Wishing you all the best and hoping Brette will be available to respond soon. Bless you and your sweet girl. ♥
My 14ish year old Jack russel mix had a seizure this morning. It lasted 2-3 minutes and was really bad. She peed all of the floor during it.
Every morning, she loves going to wake up our 3 year old human kid. So she happily ran up the stairs to his room when the alarm went off. She has IVDD, so she shouldn’t do stairs anymore, but I’d like to see anyone tell a Jack russel not to run up stairs or jump on things.
As the 3 year old was picking out what to wear for the day, the dog tipped over and her body started moving in really weird ways. Shaking and seizing pretty bad. She peed all over the floor during it. Poor girl.
It lasted 2-3 minutes. Then she tried to stand. She couldn’t stand. I carried her to the bed and let her lay there as I threw on a bra (to go in public—to the vet). She stood up and walked toward me on her own. I thought we were good, but over the next 20 minutes she kept tipping to her right and even falling over. We are at the animal hospital now. And she is acting and moving more normal.
Dear Jess,
I am sorry you experienced these frightening episodes with your senior girl. I am glad you acted quickly and made it to the vet for a thorough evaluation. What did you find out? Hoping your pup is ok and she has not had any further issues. Best wishes and good luck!
My 17 year old blind, going deaf Blue Heeler/Rat Terrier mix, Harley, had a grand mal seizure this evening. This was his second one; the first was terrible and occurred in November 2020; it lasted about six minutes with an extremely long postictal phase, and wasn’t back to his normal self until the following afternoon. The following week the vet gave me two .5mL syringes of midazolam in case he had another one. Fortunately, although the expiration date was over a year ago, I still had them and was able to successfully stop the seizure with one intranasal dose. He was postictal for a while but came out of it much sooner than the first time this happened. The vet was unable to determine a cause in 2020 and there was nothing unusual about today’s routine. His liver values have been somewhat elevated for a couple of years now, for which he takes Denamarin and he gets a full senior lab workup every six months. He takes 25mg carprofen b.i.d. For arthritis and a bulging lumbar disc. He is showing signs of CCD but it’s hard to differentiate between CCD and him getting disoriented because he’s blind and hard of hearing, but I’m pretty sure some of his behaviors are CCD. He’s also on anticancer supplements (cruciferous vegetables and mushroom and herb products all recommended by the oncologist) as he was diagnosed with digit melanoma in December 2021 (mitotic count was 80), with digit amputation followed by the Oncept vaccine protocol and no signs of lymph or organ mets for several months (after which I stopped the imaging as it was too distressing for him to be sedated). Naturally, I think of brain mets as a possible cause for today’s seizure but there’s no point in spending thousands for imaging when it won’t change his course of treatment. I’m curious if stroke would cause it? He didn’t seem to have any new deficits, which I would think comes with stroke. I only have the one “expired” midazolam dose left so I’m hoping that this, like his first, was a “one-off” event and that he’ll get through the weekend. How long is midazolam really good for? The closest emergency clinic is 90 minutes away and completely booked 24/7 so it’s not really an option even if a trip is warranted. I’ll be contacting his vet Monday to get a fresh prescription of midazolam and see if we should run labwork now, as his next 6-mo labs aren’t due til October.
Hi Rachelle,
Harley has had more than his share of health issues over the past few years, but it sounds like you are doing an amazing job caring for him and advocating for him! I’m hopeful too that this seizure was a “one-off” event, but do agree that a brain met is technically also a possibility. Since I didn’t see the event, I can’t tell you for sure that it was a seizure, but because it stopped and he came out of it after a bit, my money would be on a seizure rather than a stroke. True strokes in dogs are actually pretty rare, and tend to have effects that are longer-lasting. I’ll link to an article about strokes below. Dogs can also experience an episode of vestibular disease (i.e. doggie vertigo) which can look a bit like a stroke (see link below).
Hopefully your vet visit was helpful and you were able to get some new Midazolam and some more concrete answers. ❤️
Here are those links:
1) Dog Stroke Symptoms & Treatments in Senior Dogs
2) Vestibular Disease in Dogs: Doggy Vertigo
My 10 year old greyhound has just had his 2nd Seizure ,last one was nearly 2 months ago . After the 1st one we went and had an MRI ,no brain tumours were found . It happened at the exact same time as last time . He sleeps on my bed ,around about 7am in the morning he suddenly starts whining or going stiff and then he starts convulsing. He pees and drops his renal glands ? This time it was shorter than last time ,i would say around a minute and not as violent as last time . this time in injected a bit of diazepam into his bum but im not sure how much he actually got . When he stops the seizure he has no clue where he is and is VERY aggressive but then calms down,it takes about an hour for him to get back to normal and realise where he is . I have an appointment at the vet tomorrow . A month or so before he had the first seizure he ate some Rose fertilizer. We took him straight to the vet ,we have monitored his kidneys since and they appear to be fine ,could this be the course of the seizures ?
Hi Charlotte,
So sorry to hear that your greyhound is having seizures (but thankful that the MRI was clear). Seizures are a frustrating thing in that sometimes we never do sort out exactly what triggers them. It seems unlikely that the rose fertilizer would have been linked to the seizures. If it was the cause, I would have expected the seizures to occur shortly after he ate it, not a month later. Hopefully you and your vet were able refine his seizure management plan at the appointment, and he is doing well. Feel free to give us an update!
Hello! I’m so glad I came across this article. Our 14.5 year old chocolate lab, Abby has had 2 very scary seizers. One back in June and then again in August. Seems to happen when she is asleep. She just starts shaking everywhere and foaming at the mouth. This last time she even barked during it. When she comes out of it she walks every for a long time like she’s in another time zone. My husband and I end up very exhausted afterwards. Our vet said there is not much we could do for Abby because of her age and the medicine has too many side effects for a dog her age. She stated they would probably just get worse as she she’s. We really are beside ourself and not sure what to do.
Hi Wendy,
I feel for you! Watching your dog have a seizure is so scary. I understand what your vet is saying in that you do have to be cautious about prescribing anti-convulsant medications and weigh the risk and benefits of them in each situation. It may be worth keeping a seizure journal and then revisiting the conversation with your vet (or seeking a second opinion) if the seizures increase in frequency, duration, or severity because there are situations in which anti-convulsant medications are the right choice for an older dog. Wishing you all the best (and fingers crossed for no more seizures)!
Hey! I realize it’s been 5 months since you posted, but my nearly 17 year old Weimaraner just had a seizure 5 days ago. Worst night of my life. We got her to the emergency vet 3 minutes before they closed. I’m almost certain she had a grand mal seizure. The vet ran her bloodwork and it came back mostly normal except her liver enzyme levels were high. She is my world, but she is almost 17 so, I understand your concern about putting your dog on anti seizure meds. The emergency vet gave me Denamarin 425 for her liver and a vial of Diazepam 5 mg/ml in the event of her having another seizure, I’m to draw up 3 ml out of the bottle and squirt it into her rectum to stop the seizure. It’s only been 5 days and luckily I haven’t had to do this yet. However, my main reason for responding to your comment, is that the vet also told me to get some Copaiba essential oil and rub 2-3 drops into her paw pads. According to what he told me, he thinks it’s one of the most effective ways to stop or prevent seizures in dogs. I personally can’t attest to this yet, but I did buy some Copaiba oil yesterday and mixed 3ish drops into a glob of coconut oil and rubbed it into my girls paws. She weighs about 55 pounds.
I would ask your vet about using Copaiba oil and/or Diazepam for your baby.
My 15 yo miniature dachshund, Lily, had a full-blown seizure recently (lasting maybe 2 minutes) after walking into a very intense beam of light. Up until this point–maybe for the past 8 months or so–she has been experiencing very brief stiffening/shaking movements when she passes through light and shadows quickly. This happens on a walk when the sun is low and leaf or branch patterns from trees or shrubs make patterns on the ground. On occasion, her legs will stiffen and she will fall over for a split second until I pick her up to set her back on her feet. Sometimes, she just stops and shakes, drops to her belly then gets up to keep walking but while looking around like she thinks something was about to attack her. None of these earlier episodes lasted longer than a second. We try to avoid these light/shadow patches as much as possible and this behavior never happens when she is in full sun or full shade. Lily is being seen by a caring Vet who is mystified by the light connection triggering these episodes at her advanced age and will be consulting a neurologist. Have you heard of anything like this?
Hi Pat,
I must admit that I’m a bit puzzled by the link between the light and dark patterns and Lily’s seizure activity too, but I also recognize that there is a lot we still don’t fully understand about what triggers seizures. I did come across one study that mentioned flickering lights or photosensitivity as potential triggers for seizures in dogs (link below), so maybe that is the case for her. I hope that the neurologist was able to shed some light (no pun intended) on the situation and that you have found some solutions to keep her seizures at bay. Feel free to update us about what the neurologist said and how she is doing now!
Here is the article I mentioned: Seizure‐precipitating factors in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy
Hi,
My staffy has been on anti-siezure medication for 2 months and she’s only 8. Thankfully we have been seizure free but she’s just not herself. She wonders aimlessly, gets herself caught in furniture, once she managed to get trapped between the wall and the hot water system. Times when you can see her old self is far and few between. I know I’m going to have to make the unthingable decision but at what point do I stop needing her (she has helped me through life and is my support animal, medically) and at what point do i say enough is enough, no ones home, she isn’t that dog anymore. I never expected to look into her eyes and see such pain and confusion. My heart is broken, and i still have her. Am i a bad person for not putting her out of her missery?
Hi Deb,
My heart goes out to you. It can be so difficult to watch the dog you love dearly become confused and so unlike herself. Have you touched base with your veterinarian recently? Sometimes anti-convulsant medications do initially cause a bit of sedation. That doesn’t exactly sound like what is going on with her, but it makes me wonder if she is just processing things a bit slower due to the meds? It is also possible that whatever condition caused her seizures has progressed to the point that it is affecting her mental status. Either way, I know it is heartbreaking to watch her struggle and wonder what the future holds. Hopefully your veterinarian will be able to shed some light on what might be going on. I want to assure you though that you are in no way a bad person. You clearly love her a lot and are trying to make the decisions that you think are right for her. I hope you are able to find a clear path forward and feel a sense of peace with whatever decision you make. Thinking about you during this difficult time.
Hi. I realise this was a couple of months ago, but I wanted to reach out.
My dog (golden retriever, nine) has had idiopathic epilepsy since he was about fourteen months old. We’ve never been able to fully control his seizures, but have gotten them down to every four-six weeks by carefully controlling his environment and finding the right combination of medications.
I wanted to comment as your staff’s behaviour is reminiscent of his prior to a medication change a few years ago. His seizures were better controlled on that medication (phenobarbitol), but he developed ataxia (limb weakening, limb rolling) to the point of not being able to get up by himself and gained an awful lot of weight. He became lethargic and “absent,” as though the dog he was had just vacated the premises. We changed his meds and his old personality bounced back, he lost weight and his limbs strengthened.
Have you discussed alternative medications with your vet? It may help. There’s never a silver bullet, per se, but there could be something that helps.
Our dog is now on a combination of phenobarbitol and pexion (imepitoin). As I said, he still has seizures every four to six weeks, but we chose that over the issues caused by phenobarbitol.
Many dogs tolerate phenobarbitol far better than ours did, I don’t want to leave the impression I think the drug is bad – I don’t, it’s a literal life saver for so many animals (and people!). But every dog is different, and sometimes you don’t hit the right treatment solution right away.
Finally, I want to reiterate what Dr. Buzby said. You are not a bad person. I’ve struggled with the same feelings. I’m disabled, and my goldie started life as my assistance dog. Now I’m his carer-human. Sometimes it’s so, so hard to cope with this illness. It can be like living on a land mine, never knowing when it’ll explode. Talk about it with others, seek some support if you can.
Wishing you all the best.
Dear Ruby,
This is such good advice! Thank you for being willing to reach out and share your experience. What a blessing your boy is still happy and loving life despite his diagnosis. Give your pup a hug for me and keep up the good work!
Hi,
I’ve just gone through what I believe is a seizure with my almost 15yr old Moodle. He was acting a bit more restless for a few days prior to this episode. This afternoon he was in our backyard when he literally just toppled sideways. He was making horrible noises, and lost control of his bowels and this lasted for about 5 minutes before he regained consciousness. He took a further 20 minutes before he could stand unaided. By after an hour he was very tired, but wanted to eat and appeared back to his usual self. Would you classify this as a Grand Mal seizure or would you consider any other option? We are unfortunately in a foreign country at the moment and don’t have access to a vet to assist us.
Hi Roslyn,
I’m sorry to hear that your Moodle had a potential seizure. These sorts of events are so difficult to watch, and probably even more so when you know you don’t have access to veterinary care. What you are describing does sound like it could have been a seizure, but without seeing the event and evaluating your dog, I can’t say that with 100% certainty. I hope that he hasn’t had any more seizures/seizure-like episodes, and that you were able to find access to a vet somehow if you ended up needing one before you got back home.
Hi, have you ever known a dog to crave dirt just before or after a seizure? My 14 year old parson terrier has a level 3 heart murmur and liver disease. Last night he had been asleep upstairs (so we don’t know what happened prior) then he came downstairs to be let outside and suddenly started wolfing down dirt out of a pot. He’s never done this! Then went round the garden frantically eating weeds and grass.
This morning he was eating his breakfast, wanted to go outside, went straight to the pot again, ate a load of dirt then as I directed him instead he started collapsing. He appeared to be having a seizure, legs rigid and shaking, head arched back, eyes staring, tongue blue. He then sat up and coughed up some soggy dirt and was fine. Our vet suggested he may have been choking on the dirt which caused the seizure but I’m wondering if eating the dirt could have been part of a pre seizure response? I guess time will tell, we’ve removed the pot now so he shouldn’t be choking on dirt again!
Hi Hazel,
Wow this is very interesting! I have never heard about dogs having a craving for dirt in association with seizure activity but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible. Without examining your dog, myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions. I would be more suspicious about there being something in the dirt that attracted your pup but then also caused the seizure. Is there any chance it was exposed to fertilizer or other chemicals? Certain plants are also toxic to dogs. So if there were roots or parts of a plant left in the pot it could have caused the issue. We may never know for sure. Glad you have removed the pot and hopefully this will never happen again!
my 12 year cane Corso had a seizure today.He was laying on my bed, my back was towards him.l felt his head against me it was jerking around when l turned to look at him.He wouldn’t respond,he was drooling,a few funny sounds come out of him.His arms were jerking around in the air.He was starting to fall of the bed,l held him up so he wouldn’t fall off.lm not a hundred percent sure how long it lasted but l would say a minute ,tops 2,though it seemed forever.l started talking to him
mama’s here with you l said and he came out of it.His eyes looked glazed with a film afterwards,he couldn’t stand for about 10 minutes after…He gave me kisses as soon as it was done
once he could stand he was acting very excited and wouldn’t let me leave him it looked like he was trying to tell me something.This went on for a hour ,l took him outside and we walked around our 2 aceyard twice,then he calmed down..This happened out of the blue,first time.l think l was in shock.We are together 24 /7
He is my everything and l am his everything…
Hi Deanna,
I feel for you. Witnessing a seizure can be terrifying, especially when your dog has never had one before. Hopefully you were able to get an appointment for him at your vet so you could get some answers and reassurance. Fingers crossed that he doesn’t have any more seizures for awhile (or ever again)!
This is very interesting as our 14yr old Lab/pyrenese starting having seizures while staying with my mom. My mom said she had been fixated on eating dirt out of her pot and also grass when she took the pot away. She didnt think anything of it at the time but then was wondering if possibly she was missing something in her diet that made her want to eat the dirt.
My pup is a 17 year old lhasapoo. She started having seizures about 8 months ago. She’s had 3 in 8 months. It always happens in the middle of the night and it’s tough for me to clearly recall all that’s happening since I take ambien so I am usually pretty groggy. She always wakes me up though, it seems like she’s trying to snuggle with me but it’s very clumsy. Then she seizes up and shakes and usually pees or poops herself. This most recent time I tried picking her up to put her on the floor and she was completely stiff except her neck was fully limp. I took her to the vet after her 2nd and they did all the tests and couldn’t find anything else wrong. They just think she’s epileptic. I asked if they thought I should put her down and they said they really didn’t think that was necessary and that she wasn’t in any pain. She’s been on medication and just had her 3rd seizure after 3 months of nothing. I just don’t know what to do. In the moment it’s scary and she seems startled but by the next morning she’s totally fine running about playing and begging for long walks.
Hi Erica,
I am sorry your senior girl is dealing with seizures. It doesn’t matter how many times you witness a seizure; it is scary every time. It sounds like the medication is helping to reduce the frequency of these episodes and your pup is still enjoying her life. I would not think you are causing any unnecessary suffering by postponing euthanasia for now. While you may face this decision in the future, it seems like your girl has a good quality of life at this point in time. Try not to dwell on the bad days and make the most of the time you are gifted. Wishing you all the best. Bless you both.
Hello Doc,
Thank you for this post. My Blue Heeler, “Blue” is 9 years old now. He has had seizures since he was around 3 years old, been taking phenobarbital for roughly 4 years now once a day. He still has seizures. They come and go. He can go 2 months without one, then have 2 in the same week or back to back. I am very scared for him and I love him dearly. I just moved out of my parents house and the change has been hard on him. Yesterday he had two seizures one in the morning and one at night which is unusual for him. Do you have any advice? Should I up his dosage to two pills morning and night? Change medication? He also has a lot of anxiety and I’m scared to leave him alone while I’m at work.
Thank you so much.
Hi Kandee,
I am sorry your senior guy is having increased seizure activity since moving out of your parents’ house. You may be right in thinking his phenobarbital dosage needs to be increased. Please talk to your vet and discuss these concerns with them. They may need to do some blood work to rule out other more serious issues or check a phenobarbital level to ensure it is still in the therapeutic range. If an adjustment needs to be made, they will guide you through the process and monitor your dog during the transition period. How are things today? Hoping all is well and your sweet boy has been able to adapt to his new surroundings. Wishing you both the best for many happy days ahead.
Hello! This was really helpful but I still need a bit of help. My dog Yankee is going on 12. He’s an inbreed chihuahua mix and was a gift to us as a puppy. He didn’t start with the seizures (or syncope) until the beginning February which was when his first one occurred. I was playing with him when he just toppled over and was pretty out of it for about 3 minutes. Just yesterday I came home and he was happy and jumping around. He then dropped but this time for only about a minute. We don’t really have a good vet around, so what should I do? We usually wrap a blanket around him, but is it helping at all? Also, is this more of syncope or seizures. This was extremely helpful. Thank you!
Hi Riley,
I am sorry Yankee is having these worrisome episodes. Without examining your dog, myself, or witnessing one of these events, I can’t make specific conclusions about the cause. Wrapping your pup in a blanket will help to comfort him and keep him from injuring himself but you really need to treat the underlying condition. My best advice is to find a vet you can take him to for evaluation. It would be great if you can catch one of his episodes on video to show the vet. That could be extremely helpful in making a diagnosis. I am hopeful you can find the best way to give your sweet boy relief from his struggles. Wishing you and Yankee the best of luck for happier days ahead.
Our poor Buddy is 16. Terrier mix he has a collapsing trachea for 2 years now. he coughs (hacking) very loud sometimes for an hr, sometimes not all day. now he’s having the violent seizures, once pretty much every night, with the head arched back. extremely scary. but only last 20 seconds or so. I know his time is coming to an end but he has soooo much energy, it’s very confusing to make a call. when he’s so playful most of the day but also clearly in so much pain the other times.
Hi Damien,
I am sorry Buddy is having so many seizure episodes and struggles with collapsing trachea. Have you talked to your vet about the seizures? There is a good possibility that Buddy could take a simple medication that would prevent the majority of these episodes. I think it would be a good idea to have him evaluated by your vet and see if medication is an option. Hoping you can find a way to give your sweet boy the best quality of life possible. Wishing you both the best.
My chihuahua Gianni was just diagnosed with collapsed trachea about two months ago and he just had a seizure while he was sleeping that sounds just like Buddy’s seizure – head arched back and his body stiff.. scared me so bad.. Can I ask what treatment Buddy’s on for his collapsed trachea? Gianni’s on hydrocodone and I worry about giving him that long term.. but I’m now more worried with the seizure he just had..
Hello doc, thanks for a great artical. I have male and female Rotties from the same litter. Was 8 years now in Nov. Brutus (male) now had 2 seizures in three weeks. Extensive breaking, foam in mouth and extensive leg kicking. Gums stayed normal stayed red as normal. Both times happened for at least 5 min. Just rubbed his head with a cold cloth and talked quietly and stayed with him. Every time he was sleeping when it started once midnight and once midday. 15 minutes after he was his normal self ate a cooky and wagging tail. I will monitor him more closely. We do stay on a plot and he had his meds for tics and fleas and what els.
Kind Rgds Danie
Hi Danie,
I am sorry Brutus has started having seizure episodes. I am glad they seemed to be short in duration and he recovered quickly. I highly recommend you have him examined by your vet. There are many possible causes for seizures, especially in older dogs. It is possible Brutus could get some relief with a simple medication. I think it is worth discussing with your vet. Hoping all is well and wishing you many happy days ahead.
Danie….That sounds EXACTLY as my dogs episodes which recently started. Did you ever get any clear answers? I’m currently going to be starting my boxer on meds to see if they help.
Hello— I have an 8 year old rottie as well, who has had three seizures now in the last 5 months, but never had them before. We believe that chewable flea/tick treatment may have set them off (neurological events/seizures are listed as a possible side effect). We had her labs/blood work done after the first one and all was normal. We hoped it would be a one-time event and never gave the flea/tick chewable again. But unfortunately they re-occured. I’m in touch with our vet now to see if we should consider starting meds, as the last seizure just happened this morning. It’s a horrible thing to watch, but I’m thankful that so far she has bounced back to normal fairly quickly each time. Best of luck to you.
Colleen
Hi Colleen,
I am sorry your senior girl has started having seizure episodes. Medication may be the next best step to take, and I am glad you are keeping in touch with your vet on how to proceed. Hoping you can find the best way to keep your sweet girl feeling good and symptom free. Bless you both.
Hi, my dog’s name is Harry he is 15.5 years old, he had what I think it was a focal seizure. We were walking and suddenly he lost partial control of his back legs, so he fell on the ground like if he was in a sitting position, I tried to lift him up and one leg was very stiff and he was kicking with the other one. He had bloodwork recently because he was due for an entropion surgery on the 20th of this month, bloodwork was normal. My question is what could be causing the focal seizures at his age and normal blood results and also if he could still have the surgery?
Thanks in advance
Hi Ana,
I understand your concern for Harry and this seizure episode he experienced. There are just too many possibilities to make specific conclusions about the cause. Epilepsy and tumors are both common causes of seizures in senior dogs and neither usually show any blood abnormalities. I recommend you talk to your vet about the seizure. They may want to do some additional testing. As long as the testing all looks normal, Harry would probably be fine to proceed with his surgery. Your vet may alter the anesthesia protocol a bit just to be safe. How is Harry feeling today? I am hopeful all is well, and the surgery will go on without an issue. Wishing you both the best of luck!
Yesterday our 11 yr old Havenrse, Jack, had what we thought was his first seizure, (a few days ago he came in from outside and had dirt on outer front leg and his sweater has some wetness, at the time we thought he rolled around on the ground, something he never does, but we chalked it up to him walking behind the pool which has no grass, just dirt, ok back to yesterday’s it lasted all of 15 seconds or less , no paddling, no flaying around/body movement, he just arched back, leaned back, still conscious, and peed a wee bit. He was perfectly fine after it passed. He had another one around 11pm, same thing and twice today same thing. Calling our vet tomorrow and he’s on an antibiotic, Enrofloxacin, that lists seizures as a side effect. 🤷🏻♀️ Very scary first time it happened to Jack,, but I understand “seizures in dogs” as we had an Irish setter who had them, but they lasted several minutes.
Hi Dorothy,
I understand your concern about this new seizure activity in Jack. I am glad you were planning to call your vet and have him evaluated. What did you find out? Hoping all is well today and Jack is living his best life. Thank you for sharing your story with our readers. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
Hello – my 14 y/o dog, Rinaldo, had his very first seizure today, it was a grand mal that lasted about 60-90 seconds. I took him to the emergency vet bc I didn’t know what was happening. They prescribed him phenobarbitol and I just started giving it to him but am reluctant to do so since he never had a seizure before. I understand there may be underlying health conditions like a brain tumor and am planning to take him to the vet to chat through my options and get their opinion. They did his blood work and everything was fine. The MRI and chest scan I declined bc I want to seek another opinion. My question is do you think I should have him on the medication even though it was only one short seizure? He’s such a happy and active dog so it’s a bit tough for me to put him on a medicine that I know will make him tired, I just want him to be happy. Thank you so much for answering my question and happy holidays!
Hi Denise,
I understand your concern for your dog and starting a new medication like phenobarbital. I agree, I usually wait for more testing or subsequent seizure episodes before initiating treatment. With that being said, the emergency clinic may have been trying to make sure there would be no further issues over the Christmas holiday when obtaining veterinary care can be difficult. I think it is nice they were trying to make sure you were well taken care of until your regular vet could take over. Sometimes dogs can experience a bit of drowsiness or stumbling when first starting phenobarbital. But after the body adjusts to the medication over a few days, I do not see my own patients acting tired or showing any signs of decreased energy. Have you had Rinaldo evaluated by your vet? I hope everything is going well for you and your sweet boy. Wishing you both the best!
Hi there! I have loved reading this very informative article! Thank you for sharing!
We are completely puzzled….my 6.5yr old white lab just had his first grand mal seizure last night that last almost 2 min 😭 we had full panel drawn today and heart worm check. Everything is perfect which we are so happy about. He hasn’t had another and even acted back to normal 30 min after it happened (other than the very red eyes) we are just assuming this was seizure d/t the stiff legs thrashing with neck, eyes were half open, drooling (it was so loud 😭) when he woke his pupils were hug his heart racing, very warm and disoriented, seizure activity to us… we are so wanting to do anything we can to prevent this again. Any helpful tip…(we plan to make better eating habits) thanks a lot ♥️
Hi Seresa,
I am sorry you had to witness such a scary episode in your sweet boy. I am glad you had him evaluated by your vet and his blood work looked great. It is hard to know the best course of action without knowing the cause of the seizure. It is likely your dog may have developed epilepsy, but recommend you rule out other more serious causes such as a tumor. There are many different options to consider when making decisions about how to proceed from here. You can wait and watch and see if another seizure occurs. You could ask your vet if they think starting an antiseizure medication would be warranted. You can ask for a referral to a neurologist to pursue additional testing. I highly recommend you have a conversation with your vet and discuss your concerns. Be honest about your wishes and goals for your pup. Hoping things are going well at home and your boy is living his best life. Best wishes to you both.
I have a 2 year old mix, possible malamute and Australian sheepdog, he’s blue and red merle colouring. He is a rescue so not sure of breed at all.
He had a seizure a month ago full grand mal but came too and back to his crazy self. We hoped it was a once off.Unfortunately yesterday he had a seizure at 8 am and they continued throughout the day and night every 2 hours. Some were cluster seizures where he never came to at all.
We were prescribed phenobarbital but he has had multiple seizures again today.
The vet has mentioned brain tumour rather than epilepsy and that there really isn’t much hope. Neurological vets are a rarity in my country so I don’t know if there is anything else we can do for him.
He is so young and now just doesn’t seem to be coming back to us. He hasn’t really come out of a state of recovery is very lethargic and thrown down.
We want to give him every fighting chance but don’t want to think he’s in any pain or suffering. it’s heartbreaking
Dear Triona,
My heart aches for you and this difficult situation you are in with your young dog. Without examining your pup myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions. With that being said, the fact that he has been unresponsive to the phenobarbital and the seizures are so frequent, I feel like your dog is in a critical state that might not have a positive outcome. Saying goodbye may be your only option at this point to end his suffering. Without the option of getting the opinion of a specialist, I am not sure what choices you have left. I am so sorry. I wish I could be more help. Praying for strength and comfort as you navigate this hard path.
Thank you so much for your reply.
Thankfully we have been seizure free since Friday evening, so a full 48 hrs+. He is very lerhargic understandably and his sight hasn’t come back fully. He is also very confused and doesn’t seem to be sure of us. But we are seeing small signs of progress. He looked to go out and pee and is eating and drinking including taking food from our hands and letting us pet him.
We have no idea what the cause is. If its epilepsy, brain tumour, toxic reaction etc.
We are confused about what it could be and the impact of phenobarbital How quickly should he respond to phenobarbital as we only started it Thursday night, 3 days ago? Our vet told us it could take up to 2 wks to have it build up in his system.
Hi Triona,
Thank you for the update! I am glad you are starting to see some signs of improvement in your sweet boy. Your vet is correct that it can take several days to achieve the full effect of phenobarbital once starting treatment, but you should see some benefits within the first few doses. Without knowing the cause of the seizures, it is hard to make predictions about prognosis or quality of life moving forward. It might be a good idea to schedule a consult with a neurologist. Hopefully they can give you some advice on how to proceed and let you know if there are other options available to help your pup. Praying for healing and a positive outcome. Keep us updated. ♥
Just want to give a final update for any others who may be in a similar position. Unfortunately we had to put our sweet boy to sleep. He continued to have seizures intermittently and of course we were always hopeful that it was epilepsy and we would find the correct drug combination which would work. But it’s the hope that kills you. He started to have seizures on Friday full on with no break or reprieve whatsoever, literally went from one seizure into another within seconds. I called the vet who unfortunately was on a house call at the time so it meant our boy seized continously for an hour. Plus my husband was at work and I knew he would want to be involved fully in any decision.
The vet agreed to sedate our boy and we said that if the seizures started again when the sedative wore off, it was time to let him go. As heartbreaking as it was I know our boy was already gone that day when he had so many seizures the brain can only take so much.
Looking back we know it was probably a brain tumour and we did all we could.
Our sweet boy went to the stars at home in comfort and peace, surrounded by love.
So if you are reading this and suffering the same heartbreak its because you love your dog/cat/etc and thats the reason its such a hard decision to let them go.
Hi Triona,
My heart breaks for you that you had to say goodbye to your sweet pup. I was hopeful after your last update that things were heading in the right direction. Hope is what keeps us going, but it is also so devastating when what we hope for doesn’t end up being the case. I’m glad that you and your husband were able to be with him at the end. It is clear that you loved him immensely and that you did all you could for him. Thinking about you as you grieve this loss. ❤️
Hello, my 13 year old golden retriever had his first seizure. He went to the vet and all his blood work came back fine. The doctor is thinking brain tumor but said there is no treatment for him because of his age. However, once we got him home a few hours after I noticed he had trouble standing up on his own and when he walked his back legs look stiff. I am concerned with these two things. What do you think could be the reason for his leg stiffness?
Hi Ciana,
You are right to be concerned about these new symptoms of hind limb weakness in your senior boy. Since I haven’t examined your dog myself, I can’t make specific conclusions. I am suspicious about the possibility of a neurological issue since your dog is already suspected to have a brain tumor. Did you call your vet and let them know about these new problems? How are things today? Once your vet has a chance to re-evaluate your dog, they may want to try some medications to see if it helps lessen the severity of the symptoms you are noticing. I hope you can find the answers you need to maintain your sweet boy’s quality of life. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
Hello, I came across your page because I believe our 14 year old Black Labrador Samantha had a seizure tonight. My husband and I went through her usual bedtime routine (lavender biscuits, good night petting and kisses) and then we went upstairs to our bed. Within 15 minutes, I heard Sam barking in the hallway. I went to see what was wrong, turned on the light and saw her in a state I have never seen before. She was standing with her limbs shaking and spread out. Her head was moving quickly in circular and side to side motions. I called to her but she could not look up. She was panting so rapidly. She looked like she was blind or in another world. I ran and got my husband. She eventually righted herself and went back to normal.
We have a security camera in our hallway and I would say the episode went from 11pm through to about 11:04. I am very concerned by the duration of this. I called a 24 hour vet but they said they do not have a neurological team or equipment there. I am texting her regular vet with the security camera footage of her behavior / gait.
This was the s darkest thing I’ve seen in a long while. She was just at the vet in December for a bad UTI- she was peeing blood and the vet was able to rule out bladder cancer via ultrasound. Her labs were also normal too.
Not sure what to do. This was beyond frightening.
Hi Kelly,
I am so sorry Sam had to go through this scary ordeal and you had to be a witness to it. Without examining her myself, I can’t say for sure, but I too am highly suspicious this was a seizure. It is common for dogs with seizures to have normal blood work and have no abnormal findings on physical exam. Seizures can be hard to diagnose and even harder to find a cause. When dealing with seizures or other neurological issues, it is never a bad idea to reach out to a neurology specialist. I am so glad you were able to catch this on video! The camera footage will be an amazing resource for your vet. How is Samantha doing today? Have you found any answers for her strange behavior? Hoping all is well. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
Hi Ciana,
is it possible to update last situation because i have the same problem
My dog is 10 & was diagnosed with Vestibular a couple of months ago. Was doing great until about a week ago. She will have partial seizures (twitching on left side of mouth with a soft growl) These happen on and off during the day/night. We did a CT scan on her to rule out Brain Tumor/GME. Liver is fine. Bloodwork turned out perfect. Any suggestions on the twitch/low growl. My vet is stumped right now. She is on seizure medication now she just started taking it so far it hasn’t helped but It’s only been a couple of does. My vet said she isn’t in pain/discomfort.. She’s eating, drinking.
Hi Tina,
What you are describing with your pup is very puzzling. Since I haven’t personally examined your dog, it is hard to make conclusions about what could be causing these strange symptoms. I am in agreement with your vet that I would still be suspicious of focal seizures. I am hoping that once your dog has been on the medication long enough to achieve therapeutic levels in the blood stream, the strange episodes will stop. If the seizure medication does not seem to help after consistent administration, it may be time to schedule a consult with a veterinary neurologist. With that being said, your vet has ruled out many other possible causes and has determined your dog is not painful. If these episodes are not causing any harm, it might be ok to let this go and just closely monitor her situation at home. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best decision for you and your senior girl. Best wishes and good luck!
thank you for providing this information.It helps. My 14-year-old Shit/Poo Jacob had a brief seizure just before grooming. He hates being groomed and gets a mild tranquillizer, but there has never been a problem. He fell to the ground, ‘screamed’ and twitched for a few minutes, and then appeared fine but subdued. The groomer said to see the vet. who said he seemed to be ok and to halve the meds next time he’s groomed. (which hasn’t happened because it takes months to get an appt. here) I use a mobility scooter, and he loves to run beside me, however, he will ‘ride’ when he chooses to, So he rode all the way home. I have found it necessary to clip him with scissors myself (he hates this) because he has become very matted. I can’t do more than about two or three minutes at a time before I am bitten (or threatened to be) However, other behaviour has changed… And while he still loves to run/trot beside the scooter, he has slowed down and chooses to ride more, But most upsetting now is that most times he’ll run and hide when i call him. and won’t ‘come’ to me. but he’s ok with other people…Is it the seizure or the scissors (which he hates)????
Hi Elain,
I am sorry your senior guy is starting to show signs of declining health/mental status. Since I haven’t examined him myself, I can’t make specific conclusions. From what you described; I am suspicious he may be in the early stages of canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD)/dementia. Many times, dogs with CCD will stop responding to their name or to their owners. They can have behavior changes such as biting or aggressiveness. They can also get confused or struggle more with anxiety. Here is a link to another article with more information about CCD: Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Solutions
The possible seizure episode worries me a bit as this could be a sign of a more serious problem. I know your vet said your pup seemed to be ok, but it might be time for a recheck exam. Make sure your vet is aware of all these recent behavioral and physical changes. They may decide to do some testing. I hope you find the answers you need to make the best choices for you and your sweet boy.
Thank you for all this wonderful information, my baby has now had two fits, both are so horribly sad to watch, then when he doesn’t know who I am for a while and he looks so terrified that’s when I can only talk to him in a quiet voice till he responds to me again. This part of him not knowing me is so very sad. Is this part of the fit as I’m not sure? Thank you x
Hi Carol,
I am sorry your dog has started having seizure episodes. I agree, it is difficult to watch and I’m not sure it gets any easier. Yes, it is typical for there to be a period of time after the seizure where dogs are confused. They can also drool and may need to rest. Have you talked to your vet about the seizures you have witnessed? If not, I highly recommend you schedule an appointment to have your pup examined. It may be possible to start a simple medication that could prevent most future seizure events. Wishing you both the best of luck!
I have a 11 year old shitzu mix girl. Approximately 2 months ago while we were all sleeping she woke up squealing, urinated all over the bed and then things seemed normal. I wrote it off as perhaps an unusually bad dream.
Tonight during the middle of the night she again began squealing loudly and was clearly awake, but eyes widely opened -no seizure movements but becoming stiff and loss of her bowels and urine. I was thinking this wasn’t a seizure because I was under the understanding that they would not be squealing the whole time in fear. (Her sister was very disturbed as this was happening and trying very hard to rescue her)
This is the second time ever and it has been months apart. They are no longer than a minute. However tonight she is clearly taking a little while to recover and wanting to be comforted.
Does this sound like a seizure?
Hi Dina,
Yes, this definitely sounds like it could be seizure activity. There are a wide variety of symptoms that can be seen during a seizure, and it all depends on which part of the brain is being stimulated. I highly recommend you talk to your vet about these episodes. They may want to do some testing to rule out other disorders while trying to figure out what treatment to pursue.
I have a 13 year old female, a pit bull/lab mix.
We’ve had her since she was a puppy. She’s had hip surgery, but that was several years ago. She still has hip problems, and constantly slips on the floor. Yesterday she wasn’t able to get up on her own and I had to lift her up and bring her to the carpet so she would be able to move without slipping.
She’s had several seizures, especially more recently. We have not had the chance to bring her to the vet, and at the moment we cannot. The seizures have been becoming longer and more frequent. She had two today, one this morning, and the other around 5:30 this afternoon. I didn’t see the one this morning, and my husband didn’t keep track of how long it lasted. he said about ten minutes. This afternoon was the same. Probably around 10-12 minutes. It’s very scary, and I’m not quite sure what I should do. We don’t have stairs in our house, but we do have a step outside just as you exit the door. Even this little step is getting hard for her.
I’ve done research. She still eats and drinks. She’ll lay down with us….but she doesn’t want to play with her toys anymore. She isn’t as lively as she used to be. I don’t know what to do. It’s terrifying.
Dear Avren,
I understand your concern and worry for your senior girl and these health issues with which she is struggling. I too am very concerned about these frequent and lengthy seizure episodes. I know you mentioned that taking her to the vet is not an option right now, but I am afraid that is the thing that needs to be done. Seizures can have many different causes but are usually treated with the same medication. Your vet could probably forgo the usual testing, if finances are an issue, and start a course of anticonvulsant therapy. Most dogs respond favorably and quickly to these medications used to treat seizures. Phenobarbital is the drug of choice for most veterinarians, and it is relatively inexpensive. If treatment is not an option, then you may need to consider if it is time to say goodbye. I hope you can reach out to your vet and have your girl evaluated as soon as possible. Praying for a positive outcome and improved quality of life for your pup.
Hi Amy,
we have a senior female dog, Bella is her name, mixed breed husky with something else. We found her 8 years ago, she was a stray dog, so we dont know her age. She must be 12-14 years old. In August we found a bumb in her right hip, it became quite big in a few days so we went to the vet. The cytological exam showed no malignacy but we procced to the surgery as soon as possible. The biopsy showed sarcoma grade 1, the margins were very clean and they said that it is not metastatic. We took her home after 5 days, she was ok the first 2 days but at the morning of the third day she had one gran mal seizure and after 2 hours she had a second one. We took her to the clinic, she stayed there one day for monitoring. We took her home the next day, she didnt have any seizures to the clinic and we started KEPPRA, 1 pill every 12 hours. The next two days she was vey anxious in the nights, she was wondering in circles around the room so the doctor said to give her 1 pill every 8 hours. After one week we go back to 1 pill every 12 hours. There are no seizures, no aura. The problem is she is sleeping all the time. But i guess that if she goes to one pill every 24 hours she will be better. What i want to ask is what do you think caused the seizures? From the clinic they told us that no way there is a brain tumor and that it was a side effect from anesthesia. Is this possible? Her blood and biochemical exams prior to surgery were good. Thank you in advance for your answer
Hi Olympia,
I understand your concern for Bella and these new seizure episodes she is experiencing. Your vet is correct that there is really no way to know for sure what caused these seizures without some specialized testing. You could schedule a consult with a veterinary neurologist, and they may recommend imaging such as a CT or MRI to rule out a brain tumor. Many times, a dog receives a diagnosis of idiopathic (unknown cause) epilepsy. Once all the other possible causes are ruled out, you end up with a diagnosis of epilepsy. Anesthesia is known to lower the threshold of seizures. This means if your dog is prone to having seizures then anesthesia can bring them on easier or without the normal triggers. Without a definitive diagnosis, it is hard to make predictions about how things may progress, but the treatment your vet has prescribed should work well no matter the cause. You are correct that after Bella’s body adjusts to the medication, the mild sedative effects of the Keppra should wear off. I hope this will control Bella’s seizure activity and allow her to continue living a long and happy life. Best wishes to you both and good luck!
What are the side effects of seizure medication.
We have to take our 12 year old lab to the VET tomorrow regarding her seizures. She has had seizures since she was 8 and we recognize early that sugar seemed to bring them on. We reduced all sugars and strict diet (she lost 10-15 pounds which was needed). She seemed to be having them every 3 months (grand mal). But recovered well and carried on. But today she has had 3 seizures in less than 24 hours and I am considering medication but want to know the side effects.
Thank you for sharing the information on seizures it has put my mind at ease to know she isn’t in pain.
Willow’s Mom
Hi Willow’s Mom,
I am sorry your senior girl is having more frequent seizure episodes. I am glad you made a plan to have her evaluated by your vet. What did you find out? There are several different medications that can help control seizures/epilepsy. So, depending on which one your vet chooses there could be different side effects to watch for. The most common seizure medication for dogs is phenobarbital. The side effects for this medication are usually mild sedation or wobbling during the first few days of administration. After a few days, the body acclimates to the phenobarbital and the sedation side effects resolve on their own. This medication is also highly metabolized by the liver, so frequent routine blood monitoring is recommended to make sure no changes in liver function are noted. I have had many patients take phenobarbital long term with no issues. Again, it really depends on the cause of the seizures and which medication is selected for your pup. Wishing you both the best.
Hello,
My almost 13 year old German shepherd/basenji mix Lilu just had her first seizure a few days ago. It’s been really hard trying to get her seen by a vet, there’s a shortage on vets around here. It only lasted about a minute but she was sleeping and it happened and woke us both up. She calmed down after my fiance came home and calmed her down. She’s been fine and then she had a small one when I was at work while my fiance was in the other room , he came in to her crying and being disoriented like last time. The symptoms did not last as long as the first and she is already back to her normal self. We have no vets around me open during the weekend sadly so have to wait til tomorrow. I’m just so curious on what it could be . She’s never had any before this. She turns 13 next month.
Hi Samantha,
I am sorry you had to see Lilu go through a seizure episode. They are very scary even when you have seen them before and know what to expect. I hope you were able to find a vet to see her today or sometime this week. As for your question about possible causes, there are many. The most common would be the onset of epilepsy. Most seizures can be well managed with medication, but you should make sure testing is done to rule out other more serious causes. Other things that can cause seizures would be toxins, cancer, a tumor (especially in the brain), kidney or liver dysfunction, and endocrine issues just to name a few. Your vet will probably start with blood work and then decide how to proceed from there. I hope you can find the right treatment for sweet Lilu and prevent future episodes. Best wishes and feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
Thank you so much for this article. My very healthy 11.5 year old mastiff/pitbull/shepard mix had her first ever seizure yesterday. Every 3 following hours after that she had another, then this morning they were an hour in between. She had 8 (violent) Grand mal seizures total (so far, she is resting now). This has been absolutely tragic to witness. We took her to Pet ER after the second one, they sent us home then we were able to get our usual vet to prescribe us phenobarbitol. It appears as though it is helping….. thankfully. We prepared to put her down because quite honestly it would be extremely shocking to me if she came out of this will full cognitive function. I am curious about cluster seizures as I am assuming that is what she has had. Does this sound like a cluster seizure? 8 within the span of about 24 hours, and now it appears to have stopped (its been 5 hours since the last one). Hoping for the best. This article has been helpful and soothing. Thanks again.
Hi Vicky,
What a scary time you have had these last few days! I would definitely categorize these as cluster seizures. I am glad you were able to get your girl to the vet so quickly and get treatment started. I am hoping that once the phenobarbital reaches therapeutic levels in her body the seizures will resolve. It is possible that she could be complete normal once the seizure activity hast stopped. Praying for a positive outcome! Feel free to leave an update if you get a chance.
My 15 year old Shih Tzu /Chihuahua mix has been having seizures for several months now. They never have seemed too bad until the one she had last night in the middle of the night. She has not been able to walk on her back legs since. She has urinated and dedicated in the house twice today. I’m not even able to coax her to come to me if I sit on the floor a little way from her. She wants me to be in the room with her but she doesn’t move. She has only been eating about every other day and is losing weight. She probably only weighs about 4 pounds. My heart is breaking thinking she may be in pain but also a part of me thinks maybe she will get over this one just like the others. Am I being selfish by not just having her euthanized??
Dear Sheri,
I am sorry your girl is having so much trouble. I am very concerned about these new mobility issues and her lack of eating. It sounds like her health is declining rapidly and she may be suffering. I highly recommend you call your vet and see if they want to evaluate your pup. Since I haven’t examined her myself, I can’t make specific conclusions, but euthanasia may be the most loving option at this point. I hope you can find the best way to give your senior girl comfort and peace. I will attach links to other articles that may offer additional information and great comments from other readers. Praying for strength during this difficult time. Bless you both.
1. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
2. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
3. Signs Your Dog is Dying: A Caring Message to Bring You Peace
4. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
Thanks for your response. We did take her to the vet. They said she was close to passing and didn’t seem to be in any pain. They gave us a choice of euthanasia or bringing her home to pass. We decided to bring her home since she started eating and walking again and didn’t want me to leave her. I spent the last few days holding and loving her and telling her it was ok for her to go. At 5:30 this morning she passed in my arms. I’m heart broken!
Dear Sheri,
My heart aches for you. I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet girl this morning. I do think it was a blessing to have been able to hold her during her last moments. Your pup had you right by her side and could feel your arms around her. I have no doubt she knew how much she was loved. May her memory be a blessing as you continue on life’s journey. Thank you for taking the time to let me know about her passing. ♥
My dog, Zeus, passed away in January of this year following a year long battle with salivary gland carcinoma. I did everything I could for him, even driving him from San Francisco to UC Davis every few weeks for treatment. In November 2021, we found that the chemo was no longer slowing the growth of the cancer and at the vet’s recommendation, decided to stop treatment and transition to palliative care. Over the next month, he slowly got weaker but still seemed happy and not yet ready to leave. The first week of January his health took a turn for the worse as his weakness led to him having difficulty walking and having accidents inside. I also noticed a buildup of wax and fluid in the ear on the side of his head where the cancer was. Our local vet gave me a prescription for antibiotics, but they didn’t seem to have much of an effect. On the evening of January 8, he had a seizure in which his whole body stiffened and he defecated himself. Afterwards though, he seemed very peaceful and content, but the seizure itself seemed so unpleasant and I didn’t want him to suffer. I called my parents over to my apartment so that they could say their goodbyes, and then we were going to take him in to the emergency vet so that he could be PTS. About an hour after they had arrived, he had another seizure. My mom, who is a doctor, told me that he actually wasn’t conscious during the seizure and was only experiencing those moments between them, where he was laying down peacefully surrounded by us. I decided in that moment that I wasn’t ready to make that call, and I didn’t want to upset or confuse him by taking him in to the emergency vet in the middle of the night. So I decided to keep him as comfortable as possible and have the in-home euthanasia vet come the next day. The rest of the night, I had him next to me in my bed, with my arms wrapped around him which was his favorite way to sleep. He had a few more seizures over the course of the night, during which I carefully changed the sheets underneath him and wiped him clean with a cool wet towel. When I noticed his body getting hot to the touch, I put ice packs on him to help cool him down. Around 7:30 in the morning, he began having some trouble breathing, and I called my mom and asked her to send the vet to my place as soon as possible. A few minutes after I hung up, his breathing steadied and he closed his eyes and went to sleep. I lay down next to him, with my arm wrapped around his body, feeling every heartbeat in his chest. About 30 minutes later, his breathing started to slow down, and then, along with the rhythmic beating of his heart, it finally stopped. In that moment, he looked so peaceful. I told myself that it was how he wanted to go, with just the two of us, side by side. But looking back, I can’t help but question my actions. Was it wrong of me not to take him in to the emergency vet the night before? Could they have stopped the seizures? Would that even have made a difference? I guess I’m just worried that despite his calm appearance, I may have put my boy through unnecessary suffering during his last night. He had just had to spend so much time getting poked and prodded at the vets during his last year, I didn’t want his last memory to be one of fear. I wanted him to be where he was most comfortable. I would really appreciate hearing your thoughts on this, as I haven’t really been able to find much helpful insight anywhere online and I can’t stop thinking about it.
Dear Amanda,
I am sorry for your loss of Zeus, and I understand the need to find closure for the circumstances surrounding his passing. Hear me when I say you didn’t do anything wrong. If you had taken Zeus to the emergency clinic the night before, they would have tried to stop his seizures with medication. There is no way to know if this would have been successful. If the seizures had continued at the ER, they would have recommended euthanasia. It sounds like Zeus’s passing was very peaceful and calm. I can’t imagine a better way to say goodbye than what you described. What a blessing to be able to hold him tight and love on him until his very last moment. Don’t let the burden of guilt over the “what ifs” continue to weigh you down. I have no doubt your sweet boy knew how much he was loved. May his memory be a blessing.
My dog Stormy had a seizure for the first time tonight. It was terrifying! I took her to a neurological vet near where I live. They think she might have a brain tumor. I’m taking her for blood work in a few hours at her regular vet. Stormy is a black cocker spaniel and going to be 15 on July 9. She seems back to her normal self and is resting comfortably now but I can’t sleep. I’m feeling very anxious. This article was really helpful in explaining everything.
Hi Robin,
I am so sorry you had to watch Stormy have a seizure. You are right, it is terrifying! I am glad she recovered and seems to be resting comfortably. I hope your vet is able to find some answers with the diagnostic testing they will perform. Praying for a positive outcome and many happy days ahead. Wising you both the best!
Thank you for such an informative article. Our old girl started having seizures a few months ago and we are trying to make the toughest of tough decisions. We get momentary tinkles of her old self then her eyes will dart and her teeth chitter and we can’t deny it. Most of the day she just lays there still as can be, but with her eyes open. Along with cognitive dysfunction and diminishing motor skills. The second guessing part is the worst. A painfree passing is the last gift of love we can give her in the morning. So thank you for helping us understand more since I’m always so stressed at her vet and feel I wasn’t asking the right questions.
Dear Amber,
My heart goes out to you and the difficult decision you are facing with your senior girl. If you did end up saying goodbye to your sweet girl, I hope her passing was smooth and peaceful. Thank you for the kind words about the article. I hope it offered some clarity and confidence in your choices. Bless you. ♥
Our 16 yo female JRT Zoey (she’s a rescue we’ve only had her 7 years) is in the ER vet tonight. She had what we believed to be her first seizure this afternoon. She jumped off the couch and went into the seizure. Reading this she has had some all of a sudden but not full blown episodes like this over the past year or so. She had another seizure before we left her about 4 hours after the first. She also had pale gums. The ER vet has suggested we take her in the morning to our state veterinary hospital for neurology tests. The Dr was going to do a urine test as we were leaving. We don’t know the results of this yet.
She has some elevated liver enzymes and is on thyroid medication as well.
Reading through this has helped me understand that she may as we pray come through this.
Thoughts and prayers for all the other fur babies and parents that are going through this.
Hi Lisa,
I am sorry Zoey is having seizures and put you in such a scary situation. I am glad you were able to get her to the ER vet so quickly to start testing and treatment. I am very hopeful that she will make a full recovery and have many happy days ahead. Did you receive any results from the urine test? Feel free to leave an update, especially if you are able to schedule a consult with the neurologist. Praying all is well and wishing you the best.
Hi Dr Buzby,
Thank you so much for your reply and prayers for Zoey! She only stayed in the ER Vet 24 hours. She didn’t have any more seizures so we decided against the State Vet. They put her on Prednisone and Keppra. We followed up with our regular Vet this past Thursday. We are going to back her off the Prednisone some and keep watch for any more problems. If she does good hopefully we will get her off that and then try to wean her off the Keppra.
She is alert and spry as ever. Being realistic at 16 it’s doubtful surgery would have a good outcome. So we will continue to give her the best we can for whatever time we have left ❤️. God bless you and your works.
Hi Lisa,
I am so glad Zoey is stable and back to her normal happy self! Thank you for the update. This brings joy to my heart! I hope you can continue to make wonderful memories together for many days to come. Give your sweet girl a hug for me. ♥
Our 16 year old Malamute started having seizures about 15 months ago. They usually occur when we were getting ready to walk., she gets excited and then has a seizure.. They last about a minute or two and we pet her and talk to her during and after. She usually gets up and starts walking after a brief rest. . However in the last two days, she has mainly been lying down, did not want to go for a walk.. Her appetite seems okay but diminished and she drinks water.. The vet said either a. brain tumour or diabetes..
Hi Carla,
I am concerned about these new symptoms you are describing in your senior girl. Your vet is correct that a tumor or diabetes are both possibilities, as well as many other disease processes. I highly recommend you have your dog evaluated by your vet so they can perform the necessary testing to try and make a diagnosis. There may be a simple treatment or medication that could resolve these new issues. I hope you can find the answers you need to restore your pup’s quality of life. Wishing you both the best.
My almost 12 year old Old English Sheepdog has a seizure today for the first time. It lasted almost five minutes, the longest five minutes of my life. We took him to the emergency vet hospital which is affiliated with our vet clinic and he is there overnight for monitoring. I am sure we will develop a plan with our vet for next steps in his care, but was wondering if there are any questions we should be asking? He was just at the vet two weeks ago for a senior physical, a full blood panel and X-rays of his chest and lungs, because he recently started wheezing for lack of a better term. I am not sure if the two are related. There was no change in his blood work from today to two weeks ago.
Hi Kathy,
I know how scary it can be to watch your dog have a seizure episode. I am glad you were able to get him to the emergency clinic so quickly. Any time seizures or other strange symptoms show up unexpectedly in a senior dog, in the back of my mind I am always afraid of finding cancer. You may have done everything you can for now and it might be more of a waiting game to see if another seizure will occur. I hope you never have to experience a seizure again. Praying your senior boy will remain stable and get a favorable diagnosis. Best wishes to you both and keep us updated!
Thank you Julie for answering. We have decided to have a ct scan done to see if we can find the cause. While this is an expensive procedure, I feel I need to know why, so that there is no doubt in my mind on the course of action I choose to take, good or bad, I want to know I am not prolonging his life for me and to give him the best life possible moving forward.
He just got home from the hospital today, he is very wobbly which they say to expect and he is more anxious than normal. I am hoping this diminishes as he is home and no longer on a sedative. They put him on a sedative while in the hospital because he is deaf and he has never, liked being locked in a confined space so he was very anxious.
Our ct scan is scheduled for Friday.
Hi Kathy,
I am glad to hear your guy did good overnight at the emergency clinic and was able to come home! I think the CT is a good idea and can rule out a brain tumor and many other possible causes of seizures. Praying your boy’s anxiety will subside as he is resting at home. I hope things go smoothly on Friday and that you are able to get some answers and a positive prognosis. Feel free to keep us updated as you continue to navigate this tricky situation. Bless you both!
My 18 year old Lhasa Apso mix started pacing at night a couple years ago, cbd didnt help, melatonin didnt help, trazodone helped up to a point but i had to keep increasing it. In the last month Trazodone would only work until about 3 am and he would be up pacing waking up the whole family. I started giving him benadryl with the trazodone and even that was a hit or miss somedays he would sleep and others he wouldnt. Finally last week he had a bad seizure that lasted about 3 minutes, when it ended he couldnt use his limbs and he was completely blind, I made the decision to put him to sleep. Ive been regretting it everyday since then, i feel like i gave up too quickly, I rushed into my decision but maybe I could have started him on treatment for seizures and he would still be here.
Dear Linda,
I understand your grief and the pain that comes from wondering “what if”. You made the best decision you could with the information you had at the time. I have no doubt your choice was made from a place of love and saved your sweet boy from struggling needlessly. I feel like I would have made the same decision given the situation you were dealt. I am not sure your boy would have had much quality of life without the use of his limbs and eyes in addition to the nighttime anxiety and trouble sleeping he was already dealing with. By letting go you gave him peace and rest and took away his suffering. I hope with time your heart will heal and you will find comfort in the good memories you shared together.
Thank you so much Dr. Buzby. I really needed to hear that.
My pom is around 15 to 20 years old and has seizures to. I have no way to get to the vet and can barely get myself to a doctor but anyway Baloo, my dog, when he is having a seizure, I will pick him up and rest him in my arms and also pet him. He will come out of his seizures in about a minute or two, then he’s better the rest of the day. I have seizures to at 66 years old and both him and me have similar side effects. Our brains are slow and hard to walk and so forth. I just pray for God to make sure he’s taken care of if something happens to me. He’s so precious and that’s what scares me most
Hi Cynthea,
I am sorry Baloo is struggling with a seizure disorder. I understand there may be issues with transportation to take your little guy to the vet. You may want to see if there is a mobile veterinarian in your area that could come to your house. There may be a very inexpensive medication that you could try with Baloo that could help prevent the majority of his seizure episodes. I am glad you have each other for comfort and hope you have many happy days ahead to continue to make memories. Bless you both!
Hello DR Buzby
I am looking for more information on seizures (causes,etc.)
I know this is a long one and I want to thank you for your time in advance ♥️
Where do I begin… I have a 7 year old female Rottweiler (just turned 7). She is my life, she is my best friend, she is my protector.
I found her on Craigslist (Sept. 2015) I called the number and he said he had the male that was pictured on the AD available, and when I arrived he came outside with her. It was in an unfamiliar city to me, and it was getting dark so naturally I wasn’t going to walk into this man’s home after he already lied to me once, so I did not to get to meet her mother or father. It was obviously a scam but after she looked up at me I knew I had to take her home. I assume she was probably 4 weeks old, but he claimed she was “10 weeks old” she was tiny, 7.3 pounds to be exact, and definitely not ready to leave her momma. She had fleas and worms, which were immediately treated, the vet told me she was too small for her round of shots, the man also claimed she had already had them but I didn’t believe him because he didn’t have a receipt?!
So I waited until December she had 2 boosters. DHPP, LEPTO.
Then In oct. 2016 she got VCC Rabies- 3 year/Distemper/Bordetella.
She had a wellness visit in June of 2017 record shows that metronidazole was prescribed. I believe she was having diarrhea.
In august of 2017 she got 2 more boosters and rabies booster.
I got her spayed after her second heat in October 2017.
Then I brought her back because she had picked up fleas from the vet, and that was then treated.
She is not currently on any medication.
I work from home, she’s with me 24/7 and I felt everytime I brought her in public where another animal (unknown) to her had been, she picks something up…Just like a kid would at preschool. So, I stopped the vaccines. Instead of consulting with the vet I assumed that if she wasn’t around other dogs then she didn’t need them. (I don’t get them myself) and After researching now I feel pitiful for ever believing that. I don’t know what to think.
We live on a farm, we do have cows. But she is never outside unattended, she is always within reach as she always likes to keep me in her sight ♥️
This past Saturday was one of the worst days of my life, and I can’t relax in fear that it will happen again.
My boyfriend and I were out for about 2 hours, we returned home and let the dogs out as we usually would. We have a chocolate lab as well, it was about to storm so the wind was whipping and it was cool air. They were running around and roulette was rolling around in the grass like crazy, she did her business, and then came inside. As I sat on the couch she approached me and it seemed as though she was losing her footing and I immediately knew something was wrong. So I was petting her and talked her over to her bed, that’s when she started the first phase of her seizure, she was sitting up right staring at the wall in front of her and it looked like she was being shocked over and over and over again, it lasted 6-7 minutes long. I took a short video because I feel like I can never describe something well but I physically cannot handle watching it, so I will not be attaching it to this post. Then I’m assuming the second phase kicked in and she went flat on her side and her legs paddled really fast for about 2-3 minutes. I was hysterical. She was foaming at the mouth, she did also urinate a small amount. I laid my head on her chest (which I now realize was probably not the right thing to do) and she came out of it. She smelled my entire face and within 3-5 minutes she was ready to be up and playing with her brother. I called the ER vets in our area and they said if she hadn’t had 2 in 24 hours it’s not considered emergent and if I did want to bring her in the wait was looking to be anywhere from 4-6 hours (due to heat stroke cases) in which by that time the facility would close. We live close to a vet, so Sunday evening I had her come over and just make sure she was sound. She stated she has a cataract in her left eye, and a slight ear infection but her breathing, lymph nodes, etc seemed to be normal.
Monday night, we walked outside to see my boyfriend. We were probably out there for at max 15 mins (in the shade- approx 80-85 degrees) and as I was about to head back inside she looked like she was losing her stepping again. We coaxed her out of it, came inside and gave her a spoon of honey and she drank some water and was then OK.
Tuesday, we took her to the vet and he couldn’t tell anything was out of the ordinary but I gave him a urine sample, fecal sample, and they took blood work. So now it’s a waiting game, test results are supposed to be back by Friday and I feel like I can’t relax. When the vet did an ear swab she whined on one of her ears, she’s not one to show pain. They also gave me ear cleanser and I will be cleaning her ears with that for the next week, and then 1-2 times a week after that. Google really messes with my brain, you google something and it has 8273749 reasons of what could be wrong.
I should add that we had to put down her 10 year old brother in march, and I cannot handle to lose my other baby which is why I’m looking to see if anyone can offer any other answers, I do trust my vet but I am trying to understand how a healthy 7 year old dog that is 72 pounds and happy, energetic, and is completely normal can have a seizure like that.
She definitely could eat more, she’s a picker and likes to eat when my boyfriend and I are home, and she could also drink more water. She doesn’t drink or eat near as much as our chocolate lab does but I know she likes the dog food or she wouldn’t eat it at all, right?
I’m also looking for recommendations for supplements for vitamins, etc that can be added to her food since she’s not a huge eater.
Update:
Tick pack came back negative-no disease
Stool sample- was negative for worms
Urine sample- no protein (no uti)
White blood cells in urine was a 4. Normal number is 3.
Red blood cells in normal range from 2-3
She has low blood sugar.
Vet is suggesting a glucose test.
I am headed to the vets today at 4.
Please pray for her♥️
Thank you so much for taking the time to help and offer anything you think it could/may be.
Hi Kaylee,
I understand your concern for your big girl and these new seizure episodes she is experiencing. Seizures can be so scary to watch even if you have seen them before and know what to expect. I am glad you had an appointment with your vet Friday afternoon. Did you find out information that would help find a cause? Since I haven’t examined your dog myself, I can’t make specific conclusions. Epilepsy is always a possibility and usually is first noticed in middle aged dogs. I am also highly suspicious about an insulinoma. This is a mass on the pancreas that causes too much insulin to be produced. Insulin lowers blood sugar, so if there is an over production then blood sugar can become dangerously low. Low blood sugar can definitely cause seizures. It piqued my curiosity that you mentioned you dog was starting to show the signs of a seizure, but you gave her honey and she pulled out of it. If the seizure was from a cause not related to the blood sugar, then the honey would not have helped. I hope you and your vet together can investigate and find the answers you need to make the best choices for your sweet girl. Praying the right treatment can be found and she will make a full recovery. Wishing you both the best and feel free to leave an update if you have a chance!
Your description of biting at the air was exactly what occurred at the beginning of the first seizure. Spot on! The second two we could tell were coming, she got off the couch and left the room, had facial contortions and then just dropped to the floor and began to seize.
My 10 year old beautiful big strong mastiff has had three seizures in 12 hours. We saw the vet, did blood work got evaluated and went with Keppra as a anti seizure med. Fortunately 24 hours later, no more seizures but she is very unsteady on her feet, tripping, bumping in to things and just tipping over. I’m not sure if this is a result of the seizures or the 1250 mg BID of Keppra she is now taking. She is about 95 lbs a cane corso, and up until Friday had been very active for her age and breed.
Hi Carol,
It can be so scary to watch a dog have seizures even if you are expecting them and know what to look for. I am glad you were able to get your big girl to the vet and treatment started so quickly. It is very common for seizure medications to cause sedation and ataxia (unsteady and trouble walking) when they are first started. Usually after a few days, the body adjusts to the medications and these symptoms resolve. With this being said, I still recommend you call your vet and let them know about these new symptoms you are seeing. They may want to change the dosage of the Keppra or try a different medication altogether. I hope your girl continues to be seizure free and can get back to living her best life. Best wishes!
My 14 year old JRT shorty had her 2nd seizure (after a year) that lasted 30 seconds. First flopping uncontrollably, then paralyzed on her side. Looked like she stopped breathing for 5 seconds then horrible cry.. Alert and functional after awhile. She has had heavy panting for a year now treated with Xanax and rimadyl for arthritis. Leba resents anyone who takes my attention away from her. by snapping her teeth at me. But panting continues while looking to me to do something? I try to comfort her and she eventually goes to sleep. We see vet in two days. Thank you for your blog! It helped me to calm down.
Hi Judith,
I am sorry you had to watch your senior girl have a seizure. It is heartbreaking and makes you feel so helpless. I am glad you have an appointment to have her examined by your vet. Praying for good results and a favorable prognosis. If you have a chance, feel free to keep us updated!
Our 14 yom golden retriever mix just had a seizure about two hours ago. He was asleep when it started but we couldn’t wake him up during it. Afterwards he lied on the ground breathing kind of weird and drooling everywhere. We thought for sure we were losing him. He then tried to sit up and after awhile he was able to get up, walk around, eat, drink, poop and pee. Other than being tired, he is back to himself and acts like nothing happened. He has had a little bit of emotional stress this week due to separation anxiety from my mom for a week. Is it possible that this was caused by stress and that he is fine now?
Hi Raven,
I am sorry you had to watch your dog go through a seizure episode. They can be so scary even if you have seen them many times before. While stress can definitely trigger a seizure, many times there is something else happening that needs to be diagnosed. It is possible for a dog to have one seizure and never have another, but more likely you will see another one sometime in the future. I highly recommend you call your vet and let them do some testing to make sure there is nothing that needs to be addressed right away. I hope everything will check out ok and you get good news for your sweet boy.
My 13-15 year old white German shepherd has been having seizures all night and my parents are bringing her to the vet to be put down. I live two states away. My parents think she had multiple strokes last night and that caused the seizing. Are they right? Is there anything we can do to save her?
Dear Kathleen,
I am sorry your sweet girl is struggling, and you are so far away. Without examining her myself, it is difficult to make specific conclusions or recommendations. Sometimes seizures can be stopped and then well maintained with medications, but depending on the actual cause, euthanasia might be the only option. I hope your parents were able to find the answers they needed to make the best decision for them and your beloved dog. Praying your girl is at peace and resting no matter which choice was made. ♥
My 13 year old Pit mix started having seizures about 3 years ago, she only had them maybe twice a year the vet said it was due to heart failure, she then had a uterus infection and had the surgery to correct it, during the check up for the uterus infection we were informed that she had cancer of her mammary glands, she has been doing great but is now having several seizures a week, does this mean she is at the end of life? She is still eating and drinking well.
Hi Holly,
I am sorry for all the struggles your dog has endured over the past few years. She sounds like a tough girl! Since I haven’t examined her myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions and recommendations about quality of life. If the seizures were related to heart failure, then they are probably what we call syncopal episodes which cause a lack of oxygen and blood flow to the brain. This increased seizure activity you are seeing recently may be the same type of episodes or they may be true neurological seizures. I recommend you talk to you vet and discuss this new increased seizure activity. They may want to do some lab work or try a seizure medication. They can also give you advice on quality of life and let you know if it is time to say goodbye. I hope you find the answers you need to make the best decision for you and your sweet girl. Best wishes.
Hello, I have a 13 year old Jack Russell chihuahua mix. She has begun what I think are focal seizures. She will be sleeping and the suddenly scream and JUMP up and run and then various movements. She has done the circling in one direction, head tilted to one side, kind of tucked like she can’t straighten it. she will try to hide in any corner but is scrabbling because her legs are not working correctly but she tries because she is paniciking. she will paw the wall with one leg but awkwardly. she sometime will cry out again if another of my dogs approach her face or if I do or touch her. I believe this might be due to vision being impaired right after.
This started on Sunday and at the vet on Monday. Started phenobarbital Tuesday 15 MG and she is still having multiple events each day almost always begins while she is sleeping. Very quick like a minute or less. Some worse than others. After she pants and is tired. Eating well. drinking well and loves going to the park every day to run around but so horrible that she is so scared and this can’t be go0d for her. Always at around midnight and then 4 am and during the day most other time that she wakes from sleeping. Not sure if the seizure wakes her or an issue withe the process of waking causes the seizure. Always conscious and does not lose urine or bowels.
I welcome any response or ideas as we all cannot go on like this. She also has started pacing, not sure if due to the medication or not. she does not take any other medications, she was otherwise as happy girl before this.
Interestingly I had her mother who died a year ago at 15. She had this same thing about a year before she died, I am going to get her old vet records to review but it seems like the focal seizures, if that is what they are, just stopped, however she had been on Proin and I stopped giving her the Proin and the events seemed to stop a few days later. But weird that both start with a panicked cry in their sleep and then exhibit the seizure behaviors including post ichtal. Just struggling to understand so I can make good decision for my Mikey (she’s a girl) as she can’t continue having 6 or more events each day.. hers seem to be worse than her mom’s were but I am living in this moment and very sleep-deprived by this point so not certain.
Thank you! Lisa and Mikey
Hi Lisa,
I understand your concern for your dear girl Mikey and the frequent focal seizures she is having. What a difficult, stressful, and exhausting few days for you both. It can take time (sometimes up to two weeks or so) for the phenobarbital to reach maximal efficacy, so breakthrough seizures aren’t uncommon in those first few days. However, the frequency of the focal seizures is a bit concerning, so I would urge you to check in with your vet if the events are still not well controlled. Please feel free to give us an update!
We have a 14 year old 6.5 lb female chihuahua mix. She had a few seizures spread many months apart over the years, but we took her to get her teeth cleaned (which she has had done before, although they removed 5 teeth) on January 5, She was on antibiotics 5 days before and after. She had a seizure on January 12 a week after the procedure, then another on the 14th, and another the 19th and then today the 26th she had one in the morning when we gave her a bath and another this afternoon when my wife got home. They all seemed to happen when she is excited but she has never had this many in one month much less within a few weeks. She also seems to be coughing since the teeth cleaning, was thinking maybe because they sedated her and had a tube down her throat? Her most recent blood test showed everything normal except one liver metric that was 120 (was told the top was 119) – I don’t know what that refers to honestly. These seizures last maybe 5-10 seconds and she goes limp and cries. After she is tired but otherwise she eats well and is very active etc. Any insights or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Could the antibiotics still be causing this?
Hi George,
You are right to be concerned about the increased seizure activity and coughing. I am sorry your girl has been having so much difficulty these past few weeks. Most dogs that have epilepsy or another unknown cause of seizures usually start out with the seizures occurring infrequently. In most cases, the seizure frequency slowly increases, or they have a bad month where many seizures are noted very close together. It sounds like this might be the case with your girl and it might just be a coincidence that it occurred just after her dental procedure. Although it can’t be completely ruled out, I would not think the antibiotic is contributing to the increase seizure activity. I definitely recommend you call your vet as soon as possible and tell them about all these new issues and increased seizure frequency. It may be that her episodes are not in fact seizure related but could be signs of a heart issue which can cause coughing as well. While some coughing could be expected after anesthesia when an endotracheal tube has been used, the coughing should not last for weeks. I hope you can get the answers you need and help restore your sweet girl’s quality of life. If you have the time, keep us updated!
We have a sweet girl who is now 10, and has had seizures since she was 3 (our Vets believe she suffers from these due to 2 bouts of Lyme Disease). Your article is excellent and touches on the many issues a pet owner can experience with a seizure dog. I would just like to add that while life with our girl is a bit challenging at times, it is still worthwhile and she does very well on her medications. 🙂
All the best to you, and thank you for your quality advice.
Hi Helene,
Thank you for the kind words. I am glad to hear your girl has done so well on her medications. Best wishes to you and your sweet pup for many more years together!
My 18 year old minpin was diagnosed with CKD in August 2021 and on daily injection of Hartmanns solution since then. 2 weeks ago she had major bacteria infection in the mouth causing swolleness to gums and her to have toxic breath and salivate excessively, not to mention extreme pain to her. (She has tartar and plaque as well) She was given moxiclav syrup. However the medication caused her to vomit and diarrhoea. Hence I halved the dosage. Which worked to reduce the swell. However she became physically weaker and started to totter and keep falling when walking. I stopped the medication on 30 Nov after 10days but the physical decline continued. She had her 1st seizure on Wed 1Dec, her face was grimaced and she was moving her mouth in big movements and her whole body was in spasm. I didn’t know what to do except to hold her tightly to me. She went limp for a while b4 recovering slightly. Thereafter I realised she had pooped on me. The 2nd seizure happened this morning 2am+. Both seizures ended within a couple of minutes. Now she is so weak she can hardly walk and will topple without support. What can I do to get her on her feet again?
Hi Karene,
It sounds like your senior girl is really struggling. I am sorry you are in this tough situation. Any changes in medication dosages or frequency should always be discussed with your vet. I strongly urge you to contact your vet and let them know about the seizures and ataxia. Seizures can be a symptom of kidney failure but can also be caused by cancer or other disease processes that need to be addressed very quickly. I hope you can figure out how to give your sweet girl some relief and restore her quality of life. My thoughts are with you as you navigate this difficult path.
My ten year old golden rescue mix had two seizures, about one minute long or more each on Friday.. The first woke me out of a sound sleep about 4:00am and I thought someone was walking in the house-maybe she fell over? Her whole body convulsed and she was dizzy and wobbly after. The second seizure was at noon, 8 hours later, full body convulsing after resting. I took her to the vet and they found her blood work and pressure to be normal and called it idiopathic seizures. They started her on Phenobarbital. I took her for a hike Sunday and she was unusually excited, vocalizing all the way there, then seemed to be in pain, whimpering when we got home-she is an otherwise healthy dog. I’m worried that I’m losing her. She’s lost a few pounds down to 40lbs now. Any suggestions? The vet wants me to take her to a neurologist and I’m concerned that will be expensive and lead to advanced care I wouldn’t want to subject her to.
Hi Theresa,
I am sorry to hear your Golden Mix is having seizures. They can be so scary and heartbreaking to watch. Your vet probably recommended referring you to a neurologist because they have more experience with diagnosing the cause of seizures and treating them. At the age of ten, it is important to rule out the possibility of a tumor. Detecting a tumor or issue in the brain requires specialized imaging that most local vets don’t have access to, but a neurologist would. Of course, it is ultimately your decision how far to travel down this road of testing and treatment. The phenobarbital may just need more time to reach a therapeutic level for your girl. I recommend you have an honest conversation with your vet about your concerns. Be clear about your limits and what you would like the stopping point to be. I hope you can find something to restore your dog’s quality of life. Best wishes for many more happy years together.
Our senior dog has had seizures and our bet told us that it is very important to try to keep them cool. The intense muscle activity during a seizure will raise their core temperature that can cause brain damage.
Hi Alana,
Sorry to hear your senior pup is having seizures. ☹ It is definitely true that prolonged seizures can put a dog at risk for hyperthermia (high core body temperature). Thanks for mentioning that!
My dog has 2-4 seizures in 48 hour period by 3rd4th day she’s back to her old self(old smaller dog still very active!) . Last 4-5 months 3 days per month she has small 1 minute episodes. For 2 days then won’t calm down or relax I’ve found melatonin calming treats to get her through the 48-72 hours. . Then goes 3-4 weeks before happening again. (Cluster seizures you’d call them?). Today she can see she’s happy, barking , going to bathroom. (Will only eat hard food with a teaspoon of wet food mixed in. . Vet isn’t an option right now. 5 months now 1 weekend each month she’s effected by these episodes. But then after 48-72 hours she’s back to normal 100 percent. For another 3.5-4.5 weeks
Rich, I’m curious how old your dog is. If between 6 mos and 5 years of age, this may be idiopathic epilepsy, which might respond well to seizure medication. I’m thankful the episodes are not more frequent, but cluster seizures can be scary. Even if you cannot get her to a vet, I’d look into a vet telemedicine service to try to get to the bottom of this. I think the likelihood of improving her quality of life (and yours!) through treatment exists!
This was interesting. A neighbor recently told me of witnessing a dog having seizures at a pet store (the pet was in for grooming). I’m going to forward this to her.
Another holistic vet that I follow (Dr Jones, in Canada) said that firmly pressing on the spot below their nostrils can sometimes bring them out of a seizure.
I am curious about some of the characteristics (in particular arm/leg paddling, chewing motion, and generalized twitching) happening during sleep. Do you think these types of behaviors are common during sleep/dreaming or would it be more likely that these are seizure behaviors? Our 7 year old girl (Aussie) routinely paddles, smacks, twitches and yelps (not as if she’s in pain but more or a happy sounding yelp) in her sleep (only in her sleep… she has never exhibited any of these during wake). I will mention this during her next physical but am wondering if perhaps I should schedule an appointment sooner.
Hi Amy,
Thanks for forwarding the article to your neighbor! We love to help and empower dog lovers whenever we can ?.
As part of REM sleep, some dogs will paddle, twitch, or vocalize, so it is possible that your dog is simply in the REM phase when she is showing those behaviors. Can you wake her up during an episode, and if so, does she act normal afterwards? If is wakes up easily and acts normal right away, it is less likely to be seizure activity. (As a word of caution, make sure you don’t startle her when attempting to wake her up because I don’t want her to accidently injure you or herself). However, the best plan would be to take a video or videos of the episodes that you can share with your vet. That way he or she can see what is happening and hopefully distinguish between normal REM sleep, a REM sleep disorder, or a seizure or other abnormal neurological event. Hope this helps!
One of the things I wish this article had addressed is how cannabis ingestion in dogs looks like a seizure but is not! We live in NYC and my elderly Frenchie grabbed an edible/blunt on the street during a walk (without me seeing) and a while later had what I thought was a seizure: lameness (couldn’t stand up), incontinence (he is otherwise fully continent), erratic head movements, eyes rolling around, and seized muscles. I thought we were at the end of his life—it was the scariest thing to witness and I truly thought it was a stroke/seizure. It was cannabis ingestion and the dog was experiencing symptoms of paranoia/fear, which was why he was jerking his head around every time I came near to pet him. It would be great if you all did a post explaining what cannabis ingestion looks like, educating owners on what to do if it happens (monitor, keeps other pets/small children away, take to the vet if the dog experiences labored breathing, etc.), informing that it’s not funny/does not “chill out” dogs, and explaining how cannabis is different from CBD, which my dog takes daily for chronic pain/anxiety. Thanks for these informative articles!
Hi Amy,
Wow what a scary experience for you and your Frenchie. I’m so glad that he is ok! Thanks for taking the time to give our blog team such a detailed article suggestion. We keep a running list of potential topics and always appreciate new ideas, especially when they are as well thought out as yours.