Pet CPR + First Aid Certification Manual: Seizures

Pet First Aid: Seizures

Pet Seizures

A seizure occurs when abnormal electrical activity in the brain causes temporary changes in movement, behavior, awareness, or responsiveness. Seizures may affect the entire body or only part of the body. Possible causes include epilepsy, diabetes and other metabolic problems, brain tumors, illness, poisoning, head injury, or other medical conditions. The cause of a seizure should be evaluated by a veterinarian.

Common Signs of a Seizure

Signs may include:

  • Falling or collapsing
  • Stiffening of the body
  • Repetitive jerking or twitching
  • Paddling movements of the legs
  • Jaw movements or biting at the air
  • Drooling
  • Loss of awareness or responsiveness
  • Unusual behavior before or after the seizure

Not all seizures involve full-body convulsions.

First Aid Steps for Pet Seizures:

  1. Ensure scene safety
  2. Keep yourself and others away from the pet's mouth
  3. Do not restrain the pet during the seizure
  4. Move nearby objects that could cause injury when it can be done safely
  5. Keep the area quiet and reduce unnecessary stimulation
  6. Time the seizure
  7. Observe and note what happened before, during, and after the seizure
  8. After the seizure stops, allow the pet to recover in a quiet, safe area
  9. Contact a veterinarian for guidance and evaluation

When Emergency Veterinary Care Is Needed

Seek emergency veterinary care if:

  • The seizure lasts about 5 minutes or longer
  • Multiple seizures occur without the pet recovering normally between them
  • The pet has difficulty breathing
  • The seizure follows a serious injury or possible poisoning
  • The pet does not begin recovering normally after the seizure
  • The seizure is the pet's first known seizure
  • The pet develops other serious or worsening symptoms

After a Seizure

Pets may be confused, disoriented, weak, restless, or temporarily behave differently after a seizure. Approach carefully because a disoriented pet may unintentionally bite or scratch.  Continue monitoring the pet and provide the veterinarian with useful information such as the seizure's duration, what the movements looked like, and any unusual behavior or possible exposure that occurred beforehand.

Pet first aid does not determine the underlying cause of a seizure. Veterinary evaluation is important for diagnosis and treatment.

     

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