If you’ve ever witnessed a seizure in a senior dog as I have, you’ll know how frightening it can be.

What Is a Seizure?

A seizure, as explained by Dr Karen Becker, is an “abnormal unanticipated electrical activity that happens in your pet’s brain.”

While seizures can indicate epilepsy, it is uncommon in a senior dog and more likely the result of other conditions.

My Senior Dog Red Had Seizures

Although Red is no longer with us, and it’s been a few years since I witnessed a seizure, I clearly remember that first time.

It was around 11:00 pm and I was in the living room watching tv. My husband and other dog Jack were already bed, and Red had been sleeping for about 2 hours or so. She was on her bed in the living room, out of my line of sight.  

All of a sudden I heard a loud bang, and horrific cry. I jumped up and saw Red lying in her bed shaking. I had never experienced this before, instinct took over and I picked her up to comfort her.

She peed all over me and the carpet, and after a few seconds she was fine and went back to sleep like nothing happened. Of course I ran and woke my husband, then called the emergency hospital. They calmed me down and assured me there was no reason at that point to rush her in, but suggested I call my vet in the morning which I would have done regardless.

I asked for advice should it happen again, and was told not to pick her up while she was having a seizure, and to turn the lights off.

Needless to say, I watched her like a hawk that night.

Since that night she had a few more seizures until she died probably a couple of years later (from something totally unrelated). Each one followed the same pattern. Late at night while she was sleeping, starting with a heart wrenching cry, peeing on her bed, then carrying on sleeping.  

Until Saturday night Dec. 17^th 2016 I had never actually witnessed her having a seizure.

We were driving from England to Spain, and stopped in a hotel overnight. The dogs were with us in bed, Red lying next to me. I noticed her starting to twitch and I told my husband I thought she was about to have a seizure. Her head went back, all four legs stretched out in front of her as though she was stretching and her body started to shake. She continued sleeping after the seizure was over, which again lasted only a few seconds.

We have no idea why she got them, and since they were so infrequent and lasted only seconds, the vet didn’t feel the need to pursue it further. I was terrified she may have a bigger seizure one day, so I asked my vet if there was anything I could have on hand for peace of mind.

He gave me a syringe of rectal Diazepam. All you have to do is insert it into your dog’s butt and squeeze out the contents. I believe my vet said to use just half the tube. It’s given while the dog is having a seizure or right after. I must admit having it in the house made me feel a lot better.

Can You Tell When a Dog is About to Have a Seizure?

You might see some of these symptoms:

• Uncontrolled twitching  
• Loss of bladder and/or bowel control
• Trembling
• Falling over
• Leaping in the air
• Pacing
• Drooling
• Disorientation
• Vomiting
• Paralysis
• Temporary loss of sight
• Inability to understand commands

What Causes Seizures in Dogs?

Things like:

• Parasites
• Low blood sugar levels
• Trauma
• Liver disease
• Poor circulation
• Calcium deficiency
• Genetics
• Brain tumours
• Rabies
• Heat stroke
• Exposure to toxins
• Blood or organs issues
• Some breeds may be predisposed to them

In senior dogs they are most often associated with:

• Brain tumors
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Insulin overdose in diabetic dogs
• Cushing’s Disease (not the disease itself but some of the issues associated with it)

It is not uncommon for older dogs to develop seizures which are idiopathic, meaning there is no known reason for them.

The 3 Stages of a Seizure

Pre-Ictal

There are many possible signs that indicate a seizure will be coming, and can include:

• Whining
• Fear
• Aggression
• Clinginess
• Barking
• Crying
• Howling
• Losing their balance
• Pacing
• Drooling

In Red’s case, each seizure started with a heart stopping (for me) horrible, high pitched cry. My vet said it was because she knew something was happening, but didn’t know what.

Ictal

This is the stage when your dog will experience a seizure, the symptoms of which will vary depending on its’ severity. They can be anything from growling and twitching to violent spasms and convulsions.

In Red’s case her seizures were very mild lasting just seconds, and happened only at night when she was sleeping. She lost control of her bladder, her head went back, limbs outstretched and stiff, then it was over and went right back to sleep.

Post-Ictal

This is the recovery stage, when your dog will feel the seizure’s effects.

He may be:

• Disoriented
• Weak
• Sleepy

The amount of time he will be feeling the effects will depend on how severe the seizure was.

As I mentioned above, because Red’s seizures have only ever taken place when she was sleeping and lasted seconds, she would fall back to sleep immediately and wake up like nothing happened.  

Are Seizures Painful?

They are painful for us to witness, but not painful to the dog. 

Effects of a Seizure

Here is what Dennis O’Brien, DVM, PhD, Diplomate, ACVIM, Specialty of Neurology, University of Missouri, College of Veterinary Medicine has to say about the effects of seizures.

“Most seizures are brief, and with proper treatment the pet can lead a normal life. None-the-less, seizures are serious business and even short seizures can cause brain damage. That damage tends to be cumulative over time. If the seizures are short, the main effect is an increased chance of another seizure in the future. Thus, there is a tendency for epilepsy to get worse over time, especially if left untreated.

If a seizure goes on for more than 30 minutes, the pet is liable to suffer serious permanent brain damage. This can be manifest as a change in personality, or loss of memory for things such as house breaking. Occasionally the pet may be left in a coma from the seizures. The seizure also creates a tremendous stress on the heart and other organs. The body temperature may get very high from all the muscle activity and the animal may not breath adequately. Sometimes the stress is too much and the pet may have a heart attack and die. Fortunately this is rare.”

How to Help a Dog That’s Having a Seizure

♦ Don’t panic. Easy to say, hard to do. When Red had her first seizure, I was completely clueless, and boy did I panic.

♦ I was advised to never pick her up in the middle, and turn off the lights.

Other tips I have read include:

♦ Moving any objects that may injure your dog

♦ Keeping hands away from their mouth to avoid getting bitten

♦ Staying with the dog, speaking to him and trying to comfort him

♦ Letting him rest

Very important!! Take Notes and Speak to Your Vet

As soon after the seizure as you can (assuming it wasn’t severe enough to rush your dog to the vet), write down as much information as you remember.

• Time
• Date (so you and your vet can track frequency)
• What you witnessed
• What was your dog doing right before it happened? Any unusual behavior?
• How long it lasted
• How did he act after it was over
• How long did it take him to get back to his usual self

Diagnosing What’s Going On

Seizures in senior dogs are often the result of an underlying medical condition, so your vet will decide what kind of tests if any, he feels are required. They can be things like blood and urine as well as CT or MRI.  

Whether he starts investigating immediately, or prefers to adopt a “wait and see approach” is something you will discuss with him.

In Red’s case it was “wait and see.”

Treating a Seizure

According to Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center,   

“Phenobarbitol, levetiracetam (Keppra), zonisamide and potassium bromide are all good first choices for treatment. There are several different anticonvulsants available for dogs. Zonisamide and levetiracetam have become popular because they work well with minimal side effects. Phenobarbital, potassium bromide and topiramate are other medications your veterinarian may discuss with you.”

Whether or not you are prescribed medication is of course up to your vet, a decision based on frequency and severity of the episodes. Red didn’t take any, yet a friend’s senior dog was given something daily.

CBD Oil for the Treatment of Seizures in Dogs

The AKC Canine Health Foundation invested in a clinical trial, to test the efficacy of CBD oil for treating seizures in dogs. They found “While taking CBD oil, dogs experienced fewer days in which they had a seizure compared to the period during which they took placebo oil.”

A link to the complete article can be found in the resources section below.

Other Natural Treatment Options

• Valerian
• Oat straw
• MCT oil (medium-chain-triglycerides)
• Diet changes
• Essential oils
• Acupuncture
• Belladonna – although it is a poisonous plant, it is an ingredient in a number of medications. Read the abstract for the trial in the resources section below

If your traditional vet is recommending you start medication right away, take his advice seriously. If you would like to incorporate natural options, then you’ll have time to research what’s available and find a homeopathic vet to consult with. If you plan on working with two vets, you need to keep them both in the loop.

Seizures in Senior Dogs – Conclusion

As someone who shared their life with a senior dog who had seizures, I can tell you it scared the hell out of me. Sometimes late at night I would worry it may happen again, and dread that cry that preceded another episode.

Seizures in senior dogs is not a given so don’t worry about it unnecessarily. Having said that, it’s a good idea know the signs to look for, and the steps to take should it ever happen.

Does your senior dog experience seizures? Has your vet determined the cause? Prescribed any medication? How have you been handling it? Sharing helps other so it would be great if you could share your experience here.

 

Resources

Managing Seizures 

Epilepsy 

The Complete Guide to Epilepsy (seizures) in Dogs – A Natural Approach to Treatment and Prevention  

Evidence for the Use of CBD to Treat Canine Idiopathic Epilepsy  

Dog Seizures: Natural Options That Work  

Clinical management of idiopathic epilepsy in dogs with homeopathic Belladonna 200C: a case series  

 

I’m excited to announce my new Senior Dog Care Support Service.

I offer 1:1 support on everything from health & wellness advice and training tips, to preparing to say goodbye and grief counselling. You can find details on all the packages I offer by visiting the Senior Dog Care Support Service page. If you have any questions or would like to book your FREE 15 minute chat, please email hpearson141@gmail.com