Afterwards a dog may walk around like a blind zombie until finally snapping out of it. They do sometimes die. There are many dog seizure causes and finding what triggered the problem can save your pets’ life.
Also, some breeds are more prone than others are and that is something to consider when getting a dog. It is mostly slightly large breeds that are highly susceptible, like the golden retriever.
Labrador retrievers, German shepherds, collies, beagles, poodles, and Keeshonds, are known for having more seizures. While it is not as common with other breeds, do not assume they are completely safe from having them. Learning dog seizures causes, can help owners know how to prevent them.
Things that may trigger a seizure
Sometimes seizures just happen and one may never figure out any rhyme or reason for it. However, there are lots of foods, events, medications, vaccinations, diseases, indoor and outdoor chemicals, stresses, and even certain kinds of weather that may affect your dog.
Collies can be especially sensitive to heart worm medications, so an owner should talk to a vet about what kind to use for that breed. Heart guard is often considered dangerous to collies, though it is otherwise a very good heartworm preventer.
One should pay close attention to any breed on a new kind of medication, to watch for reactions. Often reactions show up the second time the dog is given the medication, but that is not a firm rule.
It is a good idea to write down the events of the day preceding the dog’s seizure. A list by Guardian Angels tells all the most common causes of dog seizures. http://canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/SeizureTriggers.htm
Medications and treatment for seizures
An expensive treatment is surgery. This is usually done only in extreme situations and will depend on what causes the problems and rather it can be avoided. Dog brain surgery is rare and dangerous, but it can be done. Medications are more commonly used.
Chlorazepate is one that should work short term, but a dog may build a tolerance if used a lot and there is a risk of dependency. Phenobarbitol is one of the most commonly used pills, but it does have potential side effects like liver disease and weight gain. Felbamate is fairly safe, but must be given three times a day.
When your dog has a seizure
Panic never helps. Dogs, like humans, may have a lot of seizures and still have a mostly high quality of life. It would probably be best not to disturb the dog until the seizure is over and then it is time to consult a vet.
If it were a mild attack, you might just try to figure out the cause and save the dog the stress of a trip to the vet. If you are lucky enough to have a vet who will talk to you without always bringing the animals in, that can save you and your companion a lot of stress. After all, stress is one of the causes. It is even better if you can get the vet to make house calls without charging too much.
An office visit would probably be necessary if the dog has to go on medication. If you can figure out the cause and prevent it that is best of all.