Witnessing a seizure can be very difficult for a pet owner, particularly if the dog has harmed himself in the process. Nevertheless, pet-owners need to have their wits about them in the aftermath, as some seizures are more dangerous than others and may require them to respond quickly. Here are some helpful tips on how to aid your pup’s recovery after a seizure.
Recovering After a Seizure
Assess the danger: When the convulsions have stopped, you will need to assess your dog. Does he require emergency medical attention? How can you tell? These are the three most common kinds of seizures to watch out for:
- Static epilepticus: This refers to a severe seizure which lasts for more than 5 minutes. This may cause irreparable brain damage and can be life threatening. If your dog’s seizure lasted 5 minutes or longer, he will need medical assistance right away. Call your vet, (or an emergency helpline) and bring your dog in immediately.
- Cluster seizures: These are multiple seizures that happen in a short amount of time. If your dog does not experience a second seizure after the first, but there may have been one a day or two before, this condition is not to be taken lightly. Though it may not be as life-threatening as static epilepticus, your pooch will need to see a vet to receive anti-seizure/convulsion medication. Be warned, once a dog begins taking these kind of medication, the prescription must continue throughout the remainder of the dog’s life or he may be revisited by seizures.
- Idiopathic epilepsy: This is a short “one-off” seizure that has no evident underlying causes. However, this kind of seizure might also occur as a result of a disease, tumor, stroke, or metabolic issue. It would be wise to speak with your vet and set a health examination for your dog. *NOTE: No immediate day-of action is necessary.
Clean up and caring for wounds: In our blog about canine seizures we discuss the kinds of things that can happen during each stage when an animals is seized. Once the danger is assessed, it will be time to wipe up any messes that may have been made, or clean any scrapes and wounds your dog might have caused himself. Wipe up any drool or waste that may have leaked, or ice any bumps and bruises.
Keep him cool and relaxed. When seizures last more than two minutes, dogs can be at risk of overheating. In this case it would be helpful to approach the dog, plug in a nearby fan and try to keep his paws cool, since that is one place where dogs release heat from their bodies. Some pet owners use cloths dipped in ice water to rub on their paws and faces to help lower their temperature.
Attend the muscle fatigue and soreness. Dramatic muscle convulsions and spasms can not only be painful, but utterly exhausting; your dog will need rest and quiet as he adjusts and recovers from the traumatic experience. Speak to your vet about potentially giving your dog pain medication (or anti-inflammatory medication if there appears to be joint swelling.) Be sure you get the go-ahead from a vet (or emergency helpline specialist) to confirm that the medication will not conflict with any other drugs your dog might be prescribed with.
Nourish your pet: Exhaustion fatigues the muscles of a dog’s body, and this weakness may affect the appetite. If the dog seems disinclined to eat anything after a seizure, try to tempt the pet with soft boiled chicken cold cuts, or even protein-rich baby food until the dog can handle solids again. Always be remember to be patient with your pup, as he recovers from this traumatic experience.