Learn About Dog Seizures
If you own a dog then you want to be sure you know what to do if they have a seizure. This way you will be able to take charge of the situation to help them both during and after the seizure. This article will offer you a lot of information on dog seizures so you are in a better position of handling your dog's condition.
Seizures can happen for a number of reasons
There are a lot of things that can cause your dog to have a seizure. Sometimes they can have just one seizure and other times you can be dealing with a lifelong condition. Some of the more common reasons for a dog to have a seizure include:
- Epilepsy
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Head Trauma
- Poisoning
- Anemia
- Low blood sugar
- High blood sugar
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Electrolyte condition
- Brain cancer
Sometimes you can prevent your dog from ever having a seizure
Many times a dog has a condition that's simply out of the owner's control and therefore the dog will have seizures. However, there are some seizures that are preventable. Some of the ways you can go about decreasing your dog's chances of ever suffering from a seizure include:
- Take them to the vet for annual health exams so problems get caught early on
- Feed them a high quality food and always have water available
- Give them regular exercise to promote healthy weight and decrease their chances of developing certain problems
- Always have them contained or on a leash to avoid accidents that can cause serious injuries
What to do during a seizure
It's important for you to handle your dog's seizure correctly if and when they have one. Many times a dog will know they are about to have a seizure and run to their owner only seconds before it comes on. Therefore, if your dog suddenly comes to you then you want to pay attention. Get ready to help your dog lay on the floor without falling hard if they start to seize. Sit with your dog and stay calm. If the seizure lasts more than a couple of minutes then turn on the air conditioning or a fan and wet your dog's paws to help cool them. A longer seizure, or a first time seizure warrants a trip to the vet. Also, don't get near the dog's mouth because they may clamp down and bite you accidentally.
When your dog comes out of the seizure, they may act normal and like nothing happened. Or, they may have post-seizure symptoms for a day or so afterward. These symptoms can include an increased heart rate, confused wandering, pacing around, panting, increased thirst, nervousness, and more of an appetite. Watch your dog closely for those next couple of days so they don't get out and get lost if they do become confused and wander away from the house.
Treatments for dog seizures
Your vet may prescribe you an anti-convulsant or anti-epileptic medication. They may request you change your dog's diet. If the seizure was caused by something specific, such as an injury, a stroke, poisoning or something else along those lines then the vet will treat the problem that caused the seizure in the first place. However, if you are looking for a natural way to treat your dog's seizures then you can also look into CBD for dog seizures. CBD can treat the seizures without the side effects many pharmaceutical drugs have and it's an all-natural option. For more information, talk to a professional like RxCBD.
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