Pet CPR + First Aid Certification Manual: Seizures
GENERALIZED SEIZURES
Seizures can be caused by many factors ranging from abnormal electrical activity, brain tumors, idiopathic epilepsy, liver disease, to low blood sugar. Epileptic seizures are also a common cause. Focal seizures, which affect only one part of the brain, can also occur in pets. Generalized seizures involve the entire body and have distinct phases. Grand mal seizures are a type of generalized seizure that can be particularly severe. Infectious diseases like feline leukemia can also lead to seizures. Partial seizures, which involve abnormal electrical activity in a specific part of the brain, can also occur. Petit mal seizures are minor seizures that may not involve convulsions. The symptoms are also numerous, but commonly include: falling over, twitching, becoming rigid and biting the air. If you think that your pet is having a seizure, you should call your veterinarian immediately and make sure your pet is in safe surroundings. Avoid petting your dog or cat, as they may be disoriented and attempt to bite you. Severe seizures can lead to complications and require immediate treatment.
It is important to keep a log of date, time of day, duration of seizure, last meal, last urination/defecation and description of the seizure symptoms. This log should be presented to your veterinarian so that he/she has all of the information needed to diagnose your pet correctly.
First Aid Steps for Pet Seizures:
- Ensure scene safety
- Get PPE
- Call your veterinarian
- Make sure your pet is in a safe place (such as putting pillows against a door frame to protect the pet from convulsing into it)
- Log all pertinent information that would help your veterinarian diagnose your pet (examples listed above)
- Take your pet to the veterinarian