How to Care for an Epileptic Dog

Watching a dog you love have a seizure can be very unsettling, but dogs with epilepsy can lead full and happy lives. If your dog has epilepsy, understanding how to care for him can help him stay safe and improve the quality of his life.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A good veterinarian
• Love
• Patience
• Responsibility

1. Be sure to get an accurate diagnosis from your veterinarian. Seizures in dogs can have many causes. If your dog begins to experience seizures, she will need to have some tests to determine if she has epilepsy or another medical problem. Expect to have blood work done, and possibly x-rays or dye studies.

2. Once you have determined that your dog is epileptic, review the risks and benefits of treating him with anti-seizure medications. If your dog only has occasional seizures, medication may not be necessary. Most veterinarians recommend beginning anti-seizure medication if a dog is having seizures once a month or more. You may want to explore alternative treatment options such as acupuncture to control more infrequent seizures.

3. If your dog is on anti-seizure medication, it is important to get her medicine to her on time, every day. These medicines work best when a constant level is maintained in the dog's bloodstream. Try to schedule your dog's medication for a time you will remember, such as breakfast, dinner or bedtime.

4. Even with the best medication, your dog may still have some seizures. It is important to keep him from injuring himself during these episodes. Gently but firmly, try to hold him so that he doesn't thrash into any hard or sharp surfaces. Speak to him softly and calmly, and stroke his fur. If your dog is small, you can carefully cradle him in your lap. Some dogs seem to be comforted when held under a blanket during seizures. The warmth of your body, softness of the blanket and lack of external stimulation may even shorten the duration of the seizure.

5. After your dog's seizure seems to be over, don't rush her to stand up. Sometimes if she tries to get up too quickly or you try to move her too soon, it could trigger another seizure. Sit quietly with her, stroke her and speak to her softly until she gets her bearings. When she has recovered fully, she will stand up on her own.

6. If your dog is on medication, bring him to the veterinarian regularly to have his blood levels checked. Dogs often develop a tolerance to certain medicines over time, and his dosage may have to be adjusted.

[marialab]

on 5/7/2008 i agree,i adopted (unknowingly) a beagle who started seizing after 3 days with us. he had an average of 1 per week (6 before vet put him on meds) we did not have the heart to "return" him as they probably would have euthanized him...he still has break through seizures.(the shortest span was 40 seizure free days,90 was the longest)...sure beats 1 a week...but he is a very sweet boy...you just feel so helpless and bad for them...as they are unaware what is happening to them.