My Dog Had a Seizure — What Should I Do?

During a dog seizure: stay calm, move objects away to prevent injury, do not restrain the dog, and time the episode. Seizures are frightening to witness, but knowing what to do keeps both you and your dog safe.

## What a Seizure Looks Like

Seizures can present in different ways:
- Grand mal (generalised): Sudden collapse, rigid muscles, paddling of the legs, loss of bladder or bowel control, jaw chomping, drooling
- Focal (partial): Twitching of one part of the body, unusual repetitive movements, facial spasms
- Absence: Brief episodes of staring, unresponsiveness lasting seconds

## What to Do DURING a Seizure

1. Stay calm and time it — note when it started
2. Clear the area — gently move furniture, sharp objects, and stairs hazards away from the dog
3. Do not restrain — you cannot stop a seizure by holding the dog; you will get bitten
4. Do not put your hand in the dog's mouth — dogs cannot swallow their tongues
5. Dim lights and reduce noise — sensory overload can prolong recovery
6. Film it on your phone if safely possible — this helps your vet enormously

## The Postictal Phase (After the Seizure)

Most dogs enter a postictal phase lasting minutes to hours: disorientation, temporary blindness, excessive thirst, pacing. This is normal and not dangerous. Stay calm, speak gently, and prevent the dog from hurting itself.

## Common Causes of Seizures in Dogs

- Epilepsy (idiopathic) — the most common cause in young to middle-aged dogs; no underlying disease found
- Toxin ingestion — xylitol, chocolate, certain pesticides and medications
- Brain tumour — more common in dogs over 5 years
- Liver disease, kidney failure, low blood sugar — metabolic causes
- Encephalitis (brain inflammation)

## When Is a Seizure an Emergency?

Go directly to an emergency vet if: the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes (status epilepticus), the dog has more than two seizures within 24 hours, the dog does not recover between seizures, or this is the dog's first-ever seizure.

Log all seizure events in Flovvi — timing, duration, and postictal behaviour. This pattern data is essential for a neurological workup.