The Dog Blog | Seizures

Oct 1, 2020

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Seizures

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The Who, What and How for Seizure Information

[/trx_title][trx_title type=”4″ align=”center” color=”#434544″ weight=”700″ bottom=”mini”]by Dr. Eileen Savier CVA, CVCH[/trx_title][vc_column_text]

What does a seizure look like?

A seizure is any sudden, uncontrolled movement of your pets body caused by abnormal brain activity. Seizures may be very severe and affect all of the body, or quite mild, affecting only a portion of the pet. The pet may or may not seem conscious or responsive, and may urinate or have a bowel movement.

Seizures lasting longer than 3-5 minutes can result in serious side effects like elevated body temperature or fluid accumulation in the lungs or around the brain. If your pet is having a seizure for the very first time, the seizure last more than 3 minutes, or your pet has more than two seizures in a 24 hour period you should seek medical care.

What causes seizures in dogs?

There are many causes of seizures in pets. Some, but not all, causes include low blood sugar, liver disease, toxins, idiopathic (we cannot find a cause), or cancer.

What treatment is available?

Seizures (not related to toxin ingestion or organ dysfunction) are a complex brain disease and management includes seizure medication, a balanced nutrition plan, reduction of triggers and stress factors, and treatment of any other concurrent diseases.

There are a lot of medications available to treat seizures in pets. For some pets a single medication will control seizures. For other pets seizures can be very difficult to control requiring several medications, prescription diet, and emergency medications if seizures start.

[/vc_column_text][/trx_section][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1533135180690{margin-top: 40px !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1533134942241{background-color: #d9ae4c !important;}”][trx_title type=”2″ align=”left” color=”#f6f2e4″ left=”20″ right=”20″]About Dr. Eileen Savier[/trx_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1533135315368{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”]Dr. Eileen SavierBarks & Recreation is proud to feature Dr. Eileen Savier CVA, CVCH as our Veterinary Blogger in our “From the Vet” Series. Currently part of the team of doctors at Keystone Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Savier is a 2012 Graduate of the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, She completed her clinical experience at The Ohio State University and after veterinary school she pursued further education and certification in Veterinary Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, and Fear Free veterinary visits. Dr. Savier has a special interest in integrative medicine, animal behavior, and internal medicine and is committed to improving animal health care by integrating Eastern and Western philosophies. She enjoys working with fearful & aggressive dogs and cats and she has had additional training in low stress handling techniques and encourages positive reinforcement during exams and procedures. Her clinical interests include pain management, animal behavior, geriatric patient care, and internal medicine. Dr. Savier is a member of the following associations:

Dr. Savier shares her home with two (soon to be three) dogs, two cats, and a toddler. She lovingly refers to her two dogs as Coconut Retrievers as they were rescue dogs she brought home from the island of St. Kitts. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, and planning her next Disney vacation.

Join us every month for Dr. Savier’s “From the Vet” series to get more information related to the health and welfare of your furry family members![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]