There is a wide variety of symptoms for seizures including:
- loss of consciousness
- contractions or convulsions of muscles in the body
- change in mental awareness ranging from being non-responsive to having hallucinations
- involuntary urination, defecation, or salivation
- behavioral changes, such as disorientation, aggressiveness, pacing, and running in circles.
There are several causes for seizures. Certain diseases or toxins can cause them but epilepsy is the most common in dogs. Your vet may recommend blood tests to rule out disorders of the liver, kidneys, heart, electrolytes, and blood sugar level. A heartworm test may also be recommended if your dog is not regularly on heartworm preventative. Treatment may vary depending on what the test results show.
Contact us immediately if your pet has a seizure that lasts over 3 minutes or has more than 2 in a 24-hour period. Having an active seizure for a long period of time can be life threatening.