Few things are as terrifying as watching your pet have a seizure. It’s sudden, uncontrollable, and leaves pet owners feeling helpless. While some seizures may resolve quickly, others require immediate emergency care. Knowing what to do—and when to get help—can make all the difference.
What Does a Seizure Look Like?
Seizures can vary in intensity, but common signs include:
⚡ Twitching or muscle spasms – Your pet may paddle their legs or jerk uncontrollably.
⚡ Collapsing and losing consciousness – Some pets fall over and appear completely unresponsive.
⚡ Drooling, chomping, or foaming at the mouth – These are common during seizures.
⚡ Uncontrolled urination or defecation – This often happens when muscles lose control.
⚡ Disorientation before or after the episode – Your pet may seem restless, confused, or dazed.
Seizures typically last from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. Afterward, pets often appear disoriented, wobbly, or excessively tired.
When Is a Seizure an Emergency?
While an isolated seizure might not require an immediate trip to the vet, there are times when you should head straight to Unleashed Veterinary Urgent Care:
🚑 Seizures lasting longer than 2-3 minutes – Prolonged seizures can cause overheating and brain damage.
🚑 Multiple seizures in a short period (cluster seizures) – If your pet has more than one seizure within 24 hours, seek emergency care.
🚑 Your pet doesn’t wake up or remains disoriented for a long time – Prolonged confusion or unconsciousness is a red flag.
🚑 Difficulty breathing or abnormal body temperature – Seizures can cause overheating and breathing issues, requiring immediate intervention.
🚑 Injury during the seizure – If your pet falls, hits their head, or hurts themselves during a seizure, they need urgent evaluation.
What to Do If Your Pet Has a Seizure
✔ Stay calm – It’s scary, but your pet needs you to remain level-headed.
✔ Keep them safe – Move furniture or objects away to prevent injury.
✔ Do NOT put your hands in their mouth – Despite the myth, pets won’t swallow their tongue, but they could accidentally bite you.
✔ Time the seizure – The duration can help your vet assess severity.
✔ Call Unleashed Veterinary Urgent Care – If the seizure lasts too long or happens repeatedly, bring your pet in ASAP.
How We Treat Seizures at Unleashed Veterinary Urgent Care
If your pet comes in for a seizure emergency, here’s what we might do:
🩺 Physical Exam & History – We’ll assess your pet’s vitals, ask about their seizure history, and look for underlying causes.
💉 IV Medications – If your pet is having prolonged or repeated seizures, we may administer medications like diazepam (Valium) or other anti-seizure drugs to stop the episode.
🩸 Bloodwork & Testing – To check for underlying issues like low blood sugar, liver disease, infections, or toxin exposure.
📸 Imaging (X-rays or Ultrasound) – If needed, we may look for potential causes such as head trauma, tumors, or abnormalities in major organs.
💧 IV Fluids & Supportive Care – Seizures can cause dehydration and overheating, so we may provide fluids and cooling therapy.
🏥 Ongoing Monitoring – If your pet continues to have seizures, they may need to stay with us for observation and further treatment.
What Causes Seizures in Pets?
Seizures can be caused by:
🧠 Epilepsy – Some pets have a genetic predisposition to seizures.
🩸 Low blood sugar – Especially in young or small-breed dogs.
☠️ Toxins – Certain foods, plants, or chemicals can trigger seizures.
🦠 Brain disorders or infections – Tumors, trauma, or inflammation can lead to neurological issues.
Need Emergency Care? We’re Here for You!
If your pet is having repeated or prolonged seizures, don’t wait—head to Unleashed Veterinary Urgent Care immediately. Our urgent care team is ready to provide expert treatment and get your pet the help they need.
🏥 Call us or come in if you’re worried—better safe than sorry! Your pet’s health is our priority.