What Kind of Foods or Dog Treats Can Cause Dog Seizures?
Your dog comforts you, shows you loyalty and makes you laugh, so you want your dog to live a long, healthy life. You may share your couch, bed and walks with your dog, but you can't give in to his pleading looks when you're eating. Biologically your dog can't eat all of the same foods that you do. Some foods are toxic to your dog and can cause seizures, illness and death.
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Reasons for Dog Seizures
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Ypur dog can experience a seizure for many reasons. Seizures in dogs can occur for many reasons. Various dog breeds are predisposed to epileptic seizures. Underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, hypoglycemia, kidney and liver disease or tumors can incite seizures in dogs. Your dog swallowing something poisonous like toxic plants or household cleaners can trigger a seizure. In some cases, a veterinarian may find no explanation for your dog's seizure.
Just Say No to Your Dog
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Seizures in dogs can be linked to certain foods. Chocolate, especially dark or baking chocolate, contains theobromine, which is deadly to dogs. When dogs ingest chocolate, they can suffer from vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rhythm and seizures. Any kind of nuts or foods with nuts can produce a seizure. Candy, gum, and baked goods are manufactured with xylitol for sweetening. The sweet items can bring about vomiting, seizures and liver failure. Snacks with a high salt content such as pretzels and chips shouldn't be consumed by dogs.
Too much salt can lead to sodium ion poisoning in dogs, resulting in death. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, fever and seizures. Never let dogs eat seeds from apples, persimmons or pits from peaches and plums because they contain cyanide. Alcoholic beverages pose a danger to your pet. A dog's body quickly absorbs the alcohol, inducing inebriation, heart arrhythmia, low body temperature, seizures, kidney damage, coma or death. Other products that should be kept out of the reach of your dog are nutmeg, baking soda and baking powder.
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Signs of a Seizure
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Identifying a dog seizure A dog can suddenly or gradually start to show signs of a seizure. Your dog may begin to shake uncontrollably, chomp her teeth, drool, whine, or lose bladder or bowel control. A dog that is in the grip of a seizure can fall over, paddle his feet, stare or become unresponsive. A seizure can last one to five minutes and, when your dog comes out of the seizure, he may be disoriented for a minute up to a couple of hours.
How to Comfort a Dog Experiencing a Seizure
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Your dog needs quiet during and after a seizure When you realize that your dog is experiencing a seizure, stay calm and talk to him in a soft voice. Move any furniture or objects that are near the dog so she doesn't hurt herself. Place a towel or blanket under his head to cushion it. Gently pet your dog from the backside away from flailing legs and paws. Never place your hand near the dog's face because he can bite you while the seizure is happening. Dogs don't swallow their tongues when they are in the midst of a seizure. Keep the room quiet and dim or turn off the lights. A seizure can exhaust your dog, so, afterward, let your dog rest while frequently checking on him.
Keeping Track of Seizures
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Monitor your dog's seizures. Call your vet and make an appointment if your dog suffers from seizures. Maintain a log to gather information about the seizures. The log should include what time of day the seizure occurred, how long the seizure lasted, what the dog ate before the seizure, if dog urinated or defecated, and how rapidly the seizure progressed. If you know your dog ate something toxic, you should contact your vet immediately.
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References
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