Gilroy Veterinary Hospital

Seizures/Convulsions - By Roger W. Gfeller, DVM, DipACVECC, Michael W. Thomas, DVM, and Isaac Mayo

A seizure is any sudden and uncontrolled spastic type of movement of the animal's 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 be conscious, and may urinate or have a bowel movement

What to do: - Protect the pet from injuring itself during or after the seizure. Keep him from falling from a height and especially keep him away from water.

Remove other pets from the area.
Record the time the seizure begins and ends.
If the seizure or convulsion lasts over 5 minutes, wrap the pet in a cool, wet towel and seek veterinary attention at once.
If the pet loses consciousness and is not breathing, begin CPR.

What NOT to do: - Do not place your hands near the pet's mouth. (They do not swallow their tongues.) You are at risk of being bitten.

Do not slap, throw water on, or otherwise try to startle your pet out of a seizure. The seizure will end when it ends, and you cannot affect it by slapping, yelling, or any other action.