Signs of Seizures in Dogs
Seizures are one of the most alarming things a dog owner can witness. One moment your dog seems fine, and the next they may collapse, shake, stiffen, drool, or act completely unlike themselves.
It looks scary, but knowing the signs helps you act fast. At Good Dog Veterinary Care, we provide all dog veterinary service in Atlanta, Georgia and are here to help you understand what is happening and what to do next. If your dog shows signs of a seizure, especially for the first time, reach out to one of our locations immediately:
Quick Answer
Seizures in dogs are sudden episodes of abnormal brain activity.
Common signs include shaking, stiffening, loss of awareness, drooling, unusual movements, and strange behavior. A seizure may last only a few seconds, but some last several minutes and may require urgent veterinary care.
What Does a Seizure Look Like in a Dog?
Seizures do not always look the same. Some affect the whole body, while others only affect one part of the body or show up as odd behavior.
Full body seizures
A full body seizure is what many people picture first.
Your dog may fall over, become stiff, lose awareness, and jerk or paddle their legs. Some dogs drool, make chewing motions, urinate, or defecate during the seizure.
Partial seizures
Partial seizures can be harder to recognize because they may only affect one area.
You may notice one limb twitching, facial movements, repetitive blinking, chewing motions, or unusual head movement. Your dog may or may not seem aware while it is happening.
The Three Stages of a Dog Seizure
Many seizures happen in three stages: before, during, and after. Not every dog shows every stage clearly, but knowing what to watch for can help your vet understand what happened.
Before the seizure which is also known as the pre-ictal stage
Before a seizure, some dogs act “off.”
You may notice:
- Restlessness
- Staring
- Clingy behavior
- Pacing
- Whining
- Hiding
- Anxiety
This stage can be subtle and may last minutes or longer.
During the seizure (ictal phase)
This is the seizure itself.
Signs may include:
- Loss of awareness
- Shaking or convulsions
- Stiff body posture
- Drooling
- Chewing motions
- Paddling legs
Try to stay calm and time how long it lasts. A video is best to bring to your vet and time the procedure.
After the seizure (post-ictal phase)
After a seizure, many dogs seem confused or disoriented.
You may notice:
- Confusion
- Weakness
- Staggering
- Temporary blindness
- Panting
- Excessive thirst
- Hunger
- Restlessness
- Fatigue
This recovery period can last minutes to hours depending on the dog and the seizure.
Common Signs of Seizures in Dogs
The signs of a seizure can be physical, neurological, behavioral, or a mix of all three.
Physical signs
Physical signs may include:
- Jerking movements
- Stiff body
- Drooling
- Collapse
- Paddling legs
- Chewing motions
- Twitching
- Possible urination or defecation
These are often the signs owners notice first.
Neurological signs
Neurological signs show that your dog’s brain and awareness are affected.
These may include:
- Loss of awareness
- Unresponsiveness
- Disorientation
- Staring into space
- Temporary blindness
- Poor coordination
Your dog may not respond to their name during or right after the seizure.
Behavioral signs
Some seizures cause sudden behavior changes.
Watch for:
- Sudden anxiety
- Odd repetitive behavior
- Aggression or confusion
- Pacing
- Snapping at the air
- Clinginess
- Restlessness
If the behavior is unusual, repetitive, and your dog seems out of it, it is worth calling your vet.
What Causes Seizures in Dogs?
Seizures can happen for many reasons. Some causes are mild and manageable, while others need urgent testing and treatment.
Idiopathic epilepsy
Idiopathic epilepsy means a dog has repeated seizures with no clear underlying cause found. It most commonly first appears in purebred dogs between about 1 and 6 years of age and often requires long term management with your veterinarian.
Medical conditions
Some medical problems can trigger seizures.
These may include liver disease, kidney issues, low blood sugar, electrolyte problems, high blood pressure, or other internal health concerns.
Brain related causes
Problems inside the brain can also cause seizures.
These may include brain tumors, trauma, infections, inflammation, strokes, or congenital conditions.
Toxins
Toxin exposure is another major cause of seizures.
This can include certain chemicals, unsafe foods, human medications, recreational drugs, pesticides, antifreeze, or other household substances. If you think your dog may have eaten or been exposed to something toxic, call your vet immediately.
Are Seizures Dangerous for Dogs?
Seizures can look terrifying, but not every seizure is immediately life threatening. The danger depends on how long the seizure lasts, how often it happens, and what caused it.
Single seizures
A single seizure is often short and may stop on its own within a minute or two.
Even if your dog seems better afterward, you should still contact your vet. A first seizure can be a sign of an underlying health issue that needs to be checked.
Emergency situations
Some seizures are true emergencies.
Call a vet immediately if your dog has:
- A seizure lasting more than 5 minutes
- More than one seizure in 24 hours
- Cluster seizures
- Trouble recovering after the seizure
- Severe weakness, collapse, or breathing issues
The longer a seizure lasts, the more dangerous it can become. Do not wait it out if your dog is not recovering normally.
What to Do If Your Dog Has a Seizure
Watching your dog have a seizure is scary, but your job is to keep them safe and gather helpful information for your vet.
Stay calm
Do your best not to panic.
Your dog is not aware of what is happening during many seizures. Staying calm helps you act clearly and safely.
Keep your dog safe
Move nearby objects out of the way.
Keep your dog away from stairs, furniture edges, sharp items, water, or anything they could hit during the seizure. Do not try to restrain them unless they are in immediate danger.
Do not touch the mouth
Do not put your hands near your dog’s mouth or put anything in their mouth.
Dogs do not swallow their tongues during seizures, and reaching into the mouth can lead to an accidental bite.
Time the seizure
Start timing the seizure as soon as you can.
Your vet will want to know how long it lasted, what signs you saw, and how your dog acted afterward. If it is safe, take a short video to show your veterinarian.
Call your vet
Call your vet after any first time seizure, prolonged seizure, cluster seizure, or seizure with severe symptoms.
Good Dog Veterinary Care can help determine whether your dog needs an urgent visit, monitoring, testing, or ongoing care.
When to Call a Vet Immediately
Call a vet immediately if your dog has a first seizure, even if it stops quickly.
You should also seek urgent care if the seizure lasts over 5 minutes, if your dog has multiple seizures in one day, or if your dog is not recovering normally afterward.
Other severe symptoms that need urgent attention include trouble breathing, collapse, repeated vomiting, suspected toxin exposure, extreme weakness, pale gums, or seizure activity that keeps returning.
Frequently Asked Questions About Signs of Seizures in Dogs
Are seizures painful for dogs?
Seizures are usually not painful because many dogs are unconscious or not fully aware during the event.
However, they may feel confused, tired, anxious, or disoriented afterward.
Can seizures be cured?
It depends on the cause.
Some seizures stop once an underlying issue is treated, such as toxin exposure or a metabolic problem. Other dogs, especially those with epilepsy, may need long term management to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures.
What triggers seizures?
Possible triggers include toxins, medications, low blood sugar, liver or kidney problems, brain disease, trauma, infections, heat, and epilepsy.
Some dogs with seizure disorders may also seem more likely to have episodes during stress, excitement, sleep changes, or illness.
Can seizures happen during sleep?
Yes. Seizures can happen while a dog is sleeping.
They can sometimes be confused with dreaming, but seizures are usually more intense and may involve stiffness, loss of awareness, drooling, urination, or a difficult recovery afterward.
How long do seizures last?
Many seizures last seconds to a couple of minutes.
A seizure lasting more than 5 minutes is an emergency. Multiple seizures in 24 hours should also be treated urgently.
When to Take Action
Any seizure should be taken seriously, even if your dog seems normal afterward.
Early evaluation helps identify the cause and gives your dog the best chance at safe, effective care. At Good Dog Veterinary Care, we provide all dog veterinary service in Atlanta, Georgia and are here to guide you through the next steps with confidence. If your dog has had a seizure or is showing signs of seizure activity, reach out to one of our locations to schedule an exam:
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