Witnessing your dog have a seizure can be an incredibly distressing experience. The first time it happens, you might feel overwhelmed and unsure about the cause or next steps. While dog seizures can be alarming, the good news is that anti-seizure dog medications are available to help manage them and improve your dog’s quality of life.
What Are the Symptoms of Seizures in Dogs?
Dog seizures occur in three distinct phases, each with its own set of symptoms. Understanding these stages can help you identify what your dog is experiencing. Veterinarians use the medical term “ictal” to refer to when a seizure is happening. The title of each phase incorporates this term. The first phase is also often called “aura” to describe the sensation before a seizure.
Pre-ictal Phase (Aura)
Before the seizure, your dog may seem unsettled or anxious. Symptoms include:
- Restlessness
- Nervousness
- Shaking
- Salivating
- Whining
Ictal Phase
During the seizure, your dog’s symptoms can range from mild to severe. Symptoms include:
- Dazed look
- Shaking
- Licking
- Aimlessly staring
- Loss of consciousness
- Loss of body function
- Spastic or erratic movements
If you think your dog is experiencing a seizure, your priority should be ensuring their safety. Try to prevent them from falling or knocking over objects onto themselves.
Post-ictal Phase
After the seizure, your dog may appear confused or disoriented as their body recovers. Symptoms include:
- Disorientation
- Confusion
- Restlessness
- Salivation
- Temporary blindness
What Causes Seizures in Dogs?
There are various causes of seizures in dogs, including:
- An inherited disorder
- Liver disease
- Kidney failure
- Brain tumors
- Brain trauma
- Toxins
Seizures are often triggered by activities that alter brain activity, such as waking up, falling asleep, eating or becoming excited. Keeping track of potential triggers can help you and your veterinarian determine the most effective management strategies and treatment options.
Exploring the Types of Dog Seizures
There are several different types of dog seizures. The type of seizure your dog is experiencing may be based on an underlying cause, the frequency of them or even the part of the brain that is affected. When making a diagnosis, your veterinarian may consider these types:
- Epilepsy: Epilepsy refers to repeated episodes of seizures, which can vary significantly in frequency and severity. Seizures may occur as isolated incidents, in clusters where multiple seizures happen in a short period or at regular intervals over time. Epilepsy can often be managed effectively with medication, but its general unpredictability makes it important for pet owners to still closely monitor their dog for any seizure symptoms.
- Idiopathic Epilepsy: Idiopathic epilepsy is a specific type of epilepsy caused by an inherited genetic disorder and is the most common reason for seizures in dogs. Unlike other forms of epilepsy that may be linked to underlying health conditions, idiopathic epilepsy typically has no identifiable cause other than genetics. Dogs with this condition often begin experiencing seizures between six months and six years of age. Early diagnosis and a tailored treatment approach can significantly improve the quality of life for affected dogs.
- Focal Seizures: Focal seizures are characterized by abnormal electrical activity affecting only one hemisphere of the brain. These seizures often manifest as unusual behaviors, such as sudden repetitive movements or vocalizations, and can be classified as either simple or complex. Dogs often remain conscious during a simple focal seizure. Complex focal seizures, on the other hand, can lead to impaired consciousness.
- General Seizures: General seizures, also known as grand mal seizures, impact both hemispheres of the brain and often result in unconsciousness and involuntary movements. These seizures are typically more severe than focal seizures and may include symptoms such as paddling movements, a drawn-back head and sometimes involuntary urination or defecation. General seizures can sometimes develop from focal seizures, underscoring the importance of early intervention and monitoring.
- Status Epilepticus: Status epilepticus is a life-threatening type of generalized seizure that lasts for more than five minutes or occurs as a series of seizures without recovery between events. This condition requires immediate veterinary attention to prevent permanent brain damage or fatal complications.
Effective Anti-Seizure Dog Medications
If you suspect your dog had or is having a seizure, consult your veterinarian for personalized guidance. They can help determine the best treatment or combination of treatments for your dog. Mixlab’s pet pharmacy offers some of the most effective anti-seizure dog medications available—including branded, generic and compounded medications.
Phenobarbital
Phenobarbital is one of the most common and effective anti-seizure dog medications. It works by stabilizing your dog’s brain neuron activity and reducing the neurotransmitter glutamate, which helps decrease the frequency and severity of seizures. Mixlab offers phenobarbital in various forms, including capsules, tablets, oral liquids and chew treats.
Potassium Bromide
Potassium bromide is another widely used medication for managing seizures, particularly in cases where phenobarbital alone isn’t sufficient. It helps reduce seizure activity in your dog’s central nervous system, making it an effective option for combination therapy. This medication is available from Mixlab in capsule, oral liquid or chew treat forms.
Levetiracetam
Levetiracetam is a newer anticonvulsant that is frequently used in combination with other treatments to enhance effectiveness. Mixlab provides this anti-seizure dog medication in capsule, tablet, oral liquid and chew treat forms.
Zonisamide
Zonisamide is another newer anticonvulsant that offers treatment flexibility. This anti-seizure dog medication can be prescribed either alone or as part of a combination therapy plan, depending on your dog’s specific needs. Zonisamide is available in capsule, tablet, oral liquid or chew treat forms from Mixlab.
How to Determine the Best Seizure Medication for Your Dog
Your veterinarian will be your most reliable resource in determining the best anti-seizure dog medication for your pet. If your dog does not respond well to a specific medication, your veterinarian may combine medications or incorporate additional therapies.
To provide an accurate diagnosis, your veterinarian will evaluate your dog’s health history, perform a thorough physical exam and possibly recommend some diagnostic tests, such as:
- Blood and Urine Tests: These tests help identify potential underlying health issues that could be triggering seizures. Abnormalities in the blood, such as imbalances in glucose or electrolytes, can indicate low blood sugar or kidney dysfunction. Elevated liver enzyme levels might suggest a condition like hepatic encephalopathy, which can cause seizures. Urine tests can detect toxins, diseases or conditions affecting the kidneys.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): An ECG measures the electrical activity of the heart and can help rule out cardiac issues as a potential cause of seizures. Conditions like arrhythmias or heart disease can reduce blood flow to the brain, leading to seizure-like episodes. By analyzing heart function, your veterinarian can determine whether your dog’s symptoms are related to a seizure or cardiovascular issue.
- CT Scan: A CT scan provides detailed cross-sectional images of the brain and skull. This imaging technique is particularly useful for detecting abnormalities—such as brain tumors or congenital malformations of your dog’s central nervous system—that could be contributing to the seizures.
- MRI Scan: An MRI scan also offers highly detailed images of the brain, including soft tissues. This makes it another excellent tool for identifying abnormalities, such as tumors or inflammation. This diagnostic tool is especially valuable for evaluating potential epilepsy and determining whether seizure symptoms could be associated with other neurological or autoimmune conditions.
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Sample: This fluid surrounds your dog’s brain and spinal cord. Any changes in its composition or appearance could help your veterinarian identify potential seizure causes. For example, your veterinarian can detect infections, inflammation or diseases affecting the central nervous system, such as meningitis or encephalitis.
Anti-Seizure Dog Medications You Can Depend On
As a pet owner, you play an important role in your dog’s health journey. We care about supporting you and your dog with high-quality, reliable medications. Our anti-seizure dog medications are available as branded, generic or compounded medications in various forms and flavors—making it easier for you to give medication, and even easier for your pet to take medication. Plus, you’ll get your prescription fast with next-day delivery. Ready to fill your prescription? Submit your request online or contact the Mixlab team.