Understanding Dog Seizures: Causes, Symptoms, and What You Can Do

A seizure in your dog can be a scary and emotional experience. Knowing what’s happening inside your dog’s brain and how to help can make a huge difference. We asked MSPCA-Angell veterinary neurologist Jennifer Michaels, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology), to walk us through what dog owners need to know.

What Causes Seizures in Dogs?

According to Dr. Michaels, a seizure is like a “lightning storm in the brain”: a sudden, abnormal burst of electrical activity that disrupts normal brain signaling. Seizures can look alarming, but their causes generally fall into three categories, explained below.

Extracranial (Outside the Brain) Causes

These are issues elsewhere in the body that affect the brain secondarily, including:

• Toxins (e.g., rat poison, medication overdose)
• Organ dysfunction (such as liver or kidney disease)
• Low blood sugar, especially in puppies
• Electrolyte imbalances (like low calcium or high sodium)

Intracranial (Inside the Brain) Causes

These are structural or inflammatory issues within the brain itself, such as:

• Congenital malformations in puppies and young dogs
• Meningitis (often autoimmune in dogs vs. caused by infection)
• Brain tumors
• Head trauma or stroke

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurologic diseases in dogs. Many forms are considered to be genetic, and otherwise, healthy dogs can have epilepsy. “They have normal bloodwork and normal neurological exams, but they still have seizures, often due to a genetic predisposition,” explained Dr. Michaels.

Are Some Dog Breeds More Prone to Seizures?

“I want to stress that any dog of any breed can have a seizure,” explained Dr. Michaels. “But yes, there are breeds that are more prone to having seizures, but it all depends on the underlying cause.”

For example:

• Toy breeds like Chihuahuas, Pugs, and Maltese dogs are more prone to meningitis and liver shunts
• Epilepsy has been linked to many breeds, including Border Collies, labs, and poodles

What Happens During a Seizure?

A seizure typically includes three phases. These are:

Pre-Ictal Phase (Aura)

Your dog may seem anxious, clingy, or restless just before the seizure starts.

Ictal Phase (Seizure)

This is the seizure itself, which can include:

• Falling over or collapsing
• Stiff limbs, paddling, or jerking movements
• Drooling, vocalizing, or chomping
• Urination or defecation
• Unresponsiveness

Post-Ictal Phase (Recovery)

After the seizure, dogs often appear disoriented, wobbly, or temporarily blind. Some may show aggression, excessive hunger or thirst, or extreme lethargy. This phase can last minutes to hours.

Most seizures last under 3 minutes, but anything over 5 minutes is an emergency, which is a condition called status epilepticus. This requires immediate veterinary care.

What Should You Do If Your Dog Has a Seizure?

“Stay calm and stay safe,” Dr. Michaels advised. She also warned against trying to touch your dog’s mouth or tongue. “That’s an old myth, and you could get seriously bitten.”

Instead:

• Clear the area to prevent injury
• Time the seizure (ictal phase only)
• Record a video if it is safe to do so

Timing the seizure, noting what happens, and recording a video on your phone will provide details that will help your vet make an accurate diagnosis and rule out other conditions that may look like seizures.

Seek emergency care if:

• The seizure lasts more than 5 minutes
• Your dog has multiple seizures in a short period (three or more in 24 hours)
• Your dog doesn’t seem to recover afterward

What Happens at the Emergency Vet?

If your dog is actively seizing, the team will immediately administer a fast-acting anti-seizure medication, typically into the nose or muscle. Even if the seizure has stopped by the time you arrive, your dog will still need to be evaluated for potential complications like low oxygen or electrolyte imbalances.

How Are Seizures Treated Long-Term?

Treatment depends on the underlying cause, frequency, and severity of the seizures. Diagnostics may include bloodwork (to check glucose, liver/kidney function, etc.) and an MRI or spinal tap (for structural or inflammatory causes).

Medications

Most dogs with recurrent or prolonged seizures will be started on anti-seizure medications. However, medication might not be necessary if a dog only has occasional seizures (e.g., once or twice a year).

“Every case is different,” said Dr. Michaels. “But as a general rule, if a dog is having seizures more often than once every two months or has had even one long seizure, we usually recommend starting medication.”

Are There Natural or Alternative Therapies?

There are some adjunct therapies, but none are considered replacements for medication. “These options are low-risk, and for some dogs, they might help,” says Dr. Michaels. “But they’re not miracle cures.”

Therapies include:

• CBD oil
• MCT oil (medium-chain triglycerides)
• Prescription diets like Purina® NeuroCare
• Nutritional supplements

x

Final Thoughts

Dr. Michaels advised that when your dog has a seizure, you shouldn’t panic but don’t completely ignore it. “A seizure can be a one-time event or a sign of something serious,” she added. “Keeping track of when, how often, and what happened before the seizure, including recording it, can make a big difference in how we diagnose and treat your dog.” If your dog has a seizure, contact your veterinarian right away. They’ll help you figure out the best next steps, whether that’s a medical workup, treatment plan, or just peace of mind.