Remarkably, animals’ brains can do amazing things on their own, like those of humans. The tremendous electrical impulses and connections (trillions of them) that manage the whole body are located there. Given the interconnected nature of the system’s numerous elements, unanticipated problems occasionally arise. Among these is an unusual electrical activity that creates epileptic seizures.
Ways to Tell Your Dog Is Having a Seizure
It is impossible to miss when your dog experiences a seizure (and incredibly painful to witness). Common seizure symptoms include unconsciousness and “paddling” motions of the legs. Nonetheless, that’s just one phase of a seizure; more stages exist.
In some instances, your dog displays subtle signs before a seizure or indicates a less severe incident. If you feel your pet might be suffering a seizure, watch out for these signs.
Spacing Out
If your dog instantly stops reacting to you and seems dizzy, this could be an early sign of a seizure. The preliminary indicators are faint. If you suspect your dog is experiencing a seizure, try calling their name to see if they respond. Giving your dog their favorite treat or toy is a clever way to obtain their attention. This will motivate a stronger response from them.
They might be confused if they do not react, even if their eyes are open. Every pet owner must have a plan for when calamity strikes. So, it is always a great idea to have the number of an emergency vet readily available in case of an emergency.
Hiding
Another usual indicator of the initial phase of a seizure in your pet is a search for a quiet or isolated area to hide. Finding techniques to relax the brain is vital, as seizures are brought on by their overactivity. Dogs may hide right before they experience a seizure to safeguard themselves from the potentially damaging effects of the seizure-inducing stimulus.
Help your dog find a dark, silent place if you believe a strike is coming. Seizures in dogs are unusual, but if you wish to be sure your pet does not get sick with this, you should see a veterinary internal medicine specialist.
Thrashing
Whole body and brain-involving seizures may cause your dog to thrash and collapse. This kind of seizure arises more frequently than any other. Since your dog will likely be thrashing and moving around unwillingly, this can be painful and even dangerous to their heads. If your dog is dealing with an epileptic seizure, you need not try to restrict them.
By trying to restrict your dog, you will likely hurt yourself. If your dog has this issue frequently, you need to take them to a vet lab so that an expert can establish what’s causing the seizures. This will enable them to give your dog the best chance of survival.
The Takeaway
Getting your pet to a vet as soon as possible and keeping a close eye on them when they have seizures are crucial steps in treating and handling the problem. Always bear in mind to maintain composure and focus during an attack. It’s also best to let your pet deal with the situation on its own because your dog will have a seizure whether you want it or not. But, underlying complications that can trigger seizures can be detected during routine vet examinations.