Symptoms of Dog Seizures

Symptoms of Dog Seizures

Seizing dogs may have several identifiable symptoms before, during, and after the actual seizure.

Pre-Ictal Phase Symptoms

Unresponsive

This is usually a symptom that first appears before the onset of a seizure. Your dog will ignore your spoken commands, and may seem to be slightly catatonic. 

Trembling

Before a seizure, some dogs will begin to tremble uncontrollably. This may also be accompanied by incessant whining.

Biting

It's possible that a dog will begin biting before a seizure. This may manifest as uncontrollable gnawing of the limbs, or snapping at nearby individuals and objects.

Restlessness, Twitching of Limbs

Some dogs will experience a period of time where they seem anxious, active and restless. This may include pacing, sporadic running, and turning in circles.


Ictal Phase Symptoms

Thrashing of Limbs

This is a telltale sign that your dog is experiencing a seizure. Seizing dogs will usually have violent convulsions of the limbs, to the extend of frantic thrashing.

Urination, Salivation and Defecation

These three symptoms are sometimes present during a seizure. Many dogs lose control of their bladder, salivary glands and bowels while having a seizure.

Paralysis

When a dog is experiencing a seizure, they may appear to be temporarily paralyzed, and will usually fall to the ground. This may last several seconds to a few minutes right as the seizure occurs.

Teeth Gnashing, Extended Head

This is also an obvious sign that a dog is having a seizure. Some dogs will have their neck stretched out and head drawn backward during a seizure episode. This may be accompanied by violent gnashing of the teeth.


Post-Ictal Phase Symptoms

Loss of Hearing or Vision

This is a temporary condition that sometimes affects dogs after a seizure. Some dogs will seem to lose either their vision or their hearing, though in some cases it may be both.

Confusion, Disorientation

Many dogs will seem to be disoriented after a seizure episode. Some dogs will even run into walls, door frames, and other objects. This period of confusion can last for a few minutes, or several hours.

Excessive Salivation

This sometimes occurs after a dog has a seizure. This Post-Ictal phase symptom is especially common if the dog was also salivating during or before the Ictal phase.

Increased Appetite

Some dogs will display a greatly increased appetite after having a seizure. This Post-Ictal phase symptom is sometimes also accompanied by excessive thirst.  


Advanced cases of cancer where bony destruction has occurred into the brain, seizures may occur. This can be treated though with anti-convulsants. This will help delay things and make stuff less stressful for you and the dog. 

Euthanasia When is it Time? The decision regarding the euthanasia of a beloved pet may be the most difficult decision one makes in one’s entire life; obviously, the consequences are irrevocable. Whatever the decision is, it should be one that you can always look back upon and know that the best decision was made and that you would make the same decision over  again in the same situation. So how do you know if it is time? There are several criteria used in evaluating life quality and you should consider them carefully. Is your pet eating? Basically, quality life involves eating or at least interest in food. An animal that is hungry has vitality that must be considered, though this is not the only consideration. Is your pet comfortable? The pet should be free of debilitating pains, cramps, aches or even the psychological pain that comes from the development of incontinence in an animal who has been housebroken for an entire life.  Does the pet still enjoy favorite activities? The elderly pet does not necessarily need to continue chasing balls or jumping after discs but he should enjoy sleeping comfortably, favorite resting spots, the company of family, etc. You know your pet better than any one and only you can truly answer these questions.  Dr. Alice Villalobos, the veterinarian who started Pawspice, a quality of life program for terminal pets, has published a scoring system for life quality called The HHHHHMM scale.  The letters stand for: Hurt, Hunger, Hydration, Hygiene, Happiness, Mobility, and More Good Days than Bad. Quality of Life Scale: The HHHHHMM Scale Pet caregivers can use this Quality of Life Scale to determine the success of pawspice care. Score patients using a scale of 1 to 10. Score Criterion 1-10 HURT - Adequate pain control, including breathing ability, is first and foremost on the scale. Is the pet's pain successfully managed? Is oxygen necessary? 1-10 HUNGER - Is the pet eating enough? Does hand feeding help? Does the patient require a feeding tube? 1-10 HYDRATION - Is the patient dehydrated? For patients not drinking enough, use subcutaneous fluids once or twice daily to supplement fluid intake. 1-10 HYGIENE - The patient should be brushed and cleaned, particularly after elimination. Avoid pressure sores and keep all wounds clean. 1-10 HAPPINESS - Does the pet express joy and interest? Is the pet responsive to  things around him or her (family, toys, etc.)? Is the pet depressed, lonely, anxious, bored or afraid? Can the pet's bed be close to the family activities and not be isolated? 1-10 MOBILITY - Can the patient get up without assistance? Does the pet need human or mechanical help (e.g., a cart)? Does the pet feel like going for a walk? Is the pet having seizures or stumbling? (Some caregivers feel euthanasia is preferable to amputation, yet an animal who has limited mobility but is still alert and responsive can have a good quality of life as long as caregivers are committed to helping the pet.) 1-10 MORE GOOD DAYS THAN BAD - When bad days outnumber good days, quality of life might be compromised. When a healthy human-animal bond is no longer possible, the caregiver must be made aware the end is near. The decision needs to be made if the pet is suffering. If death comes peacefully and painlessly, that is okay. *TOTAL *A total over 35 points represents acceptable life quality  Adapted by Villalobos, A.E., Quality of Life Scale Helps Make Final Call, VPN, 09/2004, for Canine and Feline Geriatric Oncology Honoring the Human-Animal Bond, by Blackwell Publishing, Table 10.1, released 2006. If you are considering euthanasia, discuss the pet’s condition with your veterinarian prior to making a decision or even coming in for an appointment. Every veterinarian has a story or two about the pet that was brought in for euthanasia but turned out to have a relatively simple problem and ultimately achieved a complete recovery.