6 Dog Seizure Emergency Treatment Steps: When Is It an Emergency?
It is scary to watch your dog have a fit. Seizures can be in the form of shaking, drooling, stiffness or falling abruptly. Being informed of what to do when such situations come can save your pet. In the case of Muir Field Pet Clinic, we provide pet owners with the appropriate steps to follow and the time when urgent veterinary attention is required.
1. Stay Calm and Keep Your Dog Safe
Panic may be your initial reply, but it is very important to remain calm. When a dog is in a seizure, it does not know what is going on. Clean the place by removing sharp objects and furniture. Do not sit on your dog, push them to a secure position and place a soft object under the head of the dog.
2. Time the Seizure
Monitor the duration of the seizure. The majority of them are terminated in one to two minutes. After five minutes it will be a medical emergency called status epilepticus, and should be taken to the veterinary.
Then your dog will look like he is lost or clumsy. You should be able to just have them rest and at the same time you should take note of the time and duration to present to your veterinarian.
3. Keep Your Dog Cool and Comfortable
The attacks can elevate the temperature of the body. After it finishes, make your dog cool down by turning on a fan or another piece of cool and wet towel to their belly or paws. Avoid ice or cold water. Provide your dog with a relaxing environment that does not involve sound and lighting.
4. Don’t Offer Food or Water Immediately
The effect of a seizure on your dog could have been that he or she is still disoriented and finds it difficult to swallow. It is better not to give water or food till they are completely awake. Giving anything prematurely will cause choking. Small portions of water or light meal may be introduced to your dog once he or she has bounced back as long as it is accepted by your veterinarian.
5. Record and Report to Your Veterinarian
Information in the paper- such as the time, duration and conduct preceding and following the seizure. Such notes assist your vet in identifying potential causes or triggers.
We have a team of experienced professionals at muir field pet clinic headed by Dr. John Gustafson (Dr. Gus) and Diana Halverson based on your observations to diagnose and treat. In the event that frequent seizures arise, we can prescribe diagnostic procedures like blood tests or CT tests to establish underlying problems.
6. Know When It’s an Emergency
Urgent veterinary attention is required in case:
- The duration of the seizure is over five minutes.
- You have several seizures of your dog in a day.
- They do not take breaks in between episodes
- It is a follow-on of head injuries or exposure to toxins.
We provide emergency care to dogs at Muir Field pet clinic, and our specialization lays in the rapid stabilization process and professional care of dogs. Our support is a kind of help to stressful situations of pets and their owners.
Trusted Emergency Care for Your Dog
The seizures are terrifying, yet most of the dogs get better with a level-headed response and professional assistance. Otherwise, at the Muir Field Pet Clinic we are committed to offer quality emergency and neurological services on pets within the Greater Madison Area.
In case your dog has a seizure or when he or she has an immediate health issue, call Muir Field Pet Clinic. Our caring staff are willing to carry out a safe and comfortable recovery of your pet.