A seizure lasting over 5 minutes, more than one seizure in 24 hours, or a first-ever seizure all need emergency care.
Call us at (905) 576-8885. If we are closed, go directly to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital.
Watching your pet have a seizure is one of the most frightening things a pet owner can experience, even though most seizures themselves only last a minute or two.
Knowing what’s happening, and what to do in the moment, can help you stay calmer and keep your pet safer until it passes. Any seizure is worth discussing with us, even if your pet seems back to normal afterward.
At Wilson Road Vet Clinic, Dr. Yessa helps Oshawa families understand and manage seizures in their pets. Here’s what to know.
What a Seizure Looks Like
- Sudden collapse or loss of consciousness
- Stiffening, paddling, or jerking movements
- Drooling or foaming at the mouth
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- A period of confusion or disorientation afterward
Common Causes of Seizures
- Epilepsy, often diagnosed in younger to middle-aged pets
- Toxin exposure
- Low blood sugar
- Liver or kidney disease
- Brain tumours, more common in senior pets
- Fever or infection
What to Do During a Seizure
- Stay calm and keep your pet safe from nearby furniture or stairs
- Do not put your hands near their mouth, pets aren’t at risk of swallowing their tongue, but you could be bitten unintentionally
- Time the seizure, if possible
- Dim lights and reduce noise, since some pets are sensitive to stimulation during recovery
- Keep other pets away until they’ve fully recovered
When to Seek Immediate Emergency Care
- The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes
- Your pet has more than one seizure in a 24-hour period (cluster seizures)
- Your pet doesn’t seem to fully recover between seizures
- This is your pet’s first-ever seizure
If our clinic is closed, please go directly to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital for these situations.
After a Single, Brief Seizure
Even if a seizure resolves quickly and your pet seems to recover normally, it’s still important to schedule a visit soon afterward so we can begin investigating the cause.
What Happens at the Visit
- A full physical and neurological exam
- Bloodwork, to check for underlying causes
- A detailed history, including any videos you may have captured
- Referral for advanced imaging, in some cases
How We Can Help
At Wilson Road Vet Clinic, we help identify the underlying cause where possible and discuss management options, including medication for pets with recurrent seizures.
If your pet is having a prolonged or repeated seizure right now, please contact us or the nearest emergency hospital immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to touch my pet during a seizure?
It’s best to avoid the mouth area, but you can gently guide them away from stairs or furniture to keep them safe.
How long do seizures usually last?
Most seizures last one to two minutes. A seizure lasting more than 5 minutes is an emergency.
Should I take my pet to the vet after just one seizure?
Yes, even a single brief seizure is worth discussing with us soon afterward to begin investigating the cause.
What causes seizures in pets?
Causes range from epilepsy and toxin exposure to underlying organ disease, which is why an evaluation matters.
Can seizures be managed long-term?
Yes, many pets with recurrent seizures do well with medication and monitoring.
Should I film a seizure if it happens?
Yes, if it’s safe to do so. A video can be very helpful for us in understanding what happened.
Are seizures more common in certain breeds?
Epilepsy does have some breed predispositions, though seizures can occur in any dog or cat.
What if this happens outside of your clinic hours?
Please go directly to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital for a prolonged seizure, cluster seizures, or a first-time seizure.
Concerned About Your Pet’s Seizures?
Dr. Yessa and the team at Wilson Road Vet Clinic are here to help.
Call (905) 576-8885
371 Wilson Road South, Oshawa, ON L1H 6C6
If our clinic is closed, please contact the nearest emergency veterinary hospital.