Types of Dog Seizures

Dog seizures are often unnoticed and usually unpredictable moments that frustrate and torment dog owners, especially when you don't know why the seizure is happening. Dogs experience four types of seizures that include petit mal (mild), grand mal (moderate), status epilepticus, and cluster (severe). The seizures are categorized based on severity and length.

Petit Mal

The petit mal seizure is a rare event. The seizure lasts only a few seconds. Your dog's eyes rotate upward, she stares blankly or has a staring spell. It's the mildest seizure your dog can experience.

Grand Mal

Grand mal dog seizures last much longer. Symptoms involve a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions. According to PetAlive.com, your dog will lie on his side with his legs out. The seizure lasts between one and three minutes. Once the episode has passed, your dog will appear restless and disoriented. Dogs may even run around aimlessly bumping into things.

Status Epilepticus

Status epilepticus is a severe seizure. It involves multiple seizures within a short period of time. However, there's no break between the seizures. The seizures occur one after the other for one continuous episode for 10 minutes or longer. Visit your veterinarian if your dog has a status epilepticus seizure because this type of seizure can be deadly.

Cluster

Cluster seizures are just as dangerous and life threatening as status epilepticus. Instead of multiple, continuous seizures within 10 minutes, cluster seizures involve multiple seizures during a 24-hour period. This means your dog is having a cluster of multiple seizures throughout an entire day.

Symptoms

Symptoms to be on the lookout for are restlessness; excessive biting or snapping at people, objects or her legs; gnashing her teeth; unresponsiveness and trembling. During a seizure your dog can lose control of his bodily functions. He may urinate, defecate or salivate uncontrollably.

Tips

If your dog is having a seizure, don't panic. Remove any harmful objects from around her, including other pets that may become excited. According to "Dog Seizures Guide" don't reach into your dog's mouth to hold his tongue. Watch your dog carefully and note what you observe such as the beginning and end time of the seizure. Remember what parts of your dog were moving during the seizure. The information can help your veterinarian determine the type of seizure your dog experienced and prescribe a treatment.

Treatment

Anti-seizure medications, such as phenobarbitol, chlorazepate, felbamate or levetiracetam are available to your dog. Other possible treatments include surgery and changing your dog's diet. Canine Epilepsy suggests feeding your dog foods that don't have seizure-causing preservatives such as ethoxyquin, BHT and BHA.

References

• Pet Alive
• Dog Seizures Guide
• Articlebase

Resources

• Canine Epilepsy