Epilepsy and seizures in dogs: what to do

by Shopify API October 20, 2026

Seeing your dog seize is one of the most distressing experiences any owner can face. However, knowing what is happening and how to act can mean the difference between a scare and a well-managed emergency. In this article we explain what a seizure is, which types exist, what to do during a crisis and when you must get to the vet.

What a seizure is and what epilepsy is

A seizure is an abnormal, temporary electrical discharge in the brain that causes involuntary movements, sensations or behaviours. When a dog suffers recurring seizures, it is called epilepsy.

According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, epilepsy in dogs can have different causes, grouped into broad categories:

Idiopathic (or primary): with no identifiable structural cause; it is the most common form in young dogs and often has a genetic component in certain breeds.
Structural: due to an identifiable brain lesion, such as a tumour, inflammation, trauma or malformation.
Reactive/metabolic: triggered by problems outside the brain, such as hypoglycaemia, toxins or metabolic disorders.

Determining the cause is key to choosing the treatment, which is why every first seizure should be assessed by a vet.

The three phases of a seizure

Every crisis usually has three stages, as described by PetMD and VCA:

Pre-ictal phase (or aura): subtle changes just before the seizure. The dog may be restless, anxious, hide or seek attention. It usually lasts from a few seconds to minutes.
Ictal phase: the seizure itself. This is the phase of abnormal activity: muscle contractions, loss of control, paddling, salivation, etc.
Post-ictal phase: the period afterwards, when the dog recovers. The dog may be disoriented, confused, dazed or even aggressive for minutes or hours. According to PetMD, the longer and more intense the seizure, the longer this phase usually lasts.

Types of seizures

Generalised (tonic-clonic): they affect the whole body. The dog usually falls on its side, loses consciousness, shows stiffness followed by paddling movements, salivates and may sometimes lose bladder or bowel control.
Focal: they affect only one part of the body (a group of muscles, one side of the face, one limb). They sometimes go unnoticed or are mistaken for spasms or odd behaviour.

Some focal seizures can generalise and spread to the whole body.

What to do DURING a seizure (first aid)

The priority is the safety of both of you. Follow these steps:

Stay calm and check the time: timing the seizure is valuable information for the vet.
Move nearby objects the dog could hit (furniture, sharp corners).
Do not put your hands or any object in its mouth: a dog cannot swallow its tongue, and it can bite you unintentionally during the seizure.
Do not hold or hug it tightly; restrain it only as much as needed to stop it hurting itself.
If you can, record it on your phone (without getting close): a video helps the vet classify the type of seizure.
Reduce stimulation: dim lights and a quiet environment.

Remember: the dog is not aware of what is happening during the seizure and cannot control its movements.

What to do AFTER the seizure

Place it in a cool, quiet, safe place.
Observe without crowding it: it may be disoriented and can sometimes react aggressively through confusion.
Leave water within reach and monitor its temperature.
Note the duration, the time and a description of what happened for the vet.

When it is an emergency

Some situations require immediate veterinary attention:

Status epilepticus: a seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes. VCA Animal Hospitals defines it as a serious, potentially life-threatening situation, since it can cause irreversible brain damage or death if it is not stopped with intravenous anticonvulsants.
Cluster seizures: several seizures in a row without full recovery between them.
Your dog's first seizure (it should always be assessed).
More than two seizures in 24 hours.
A seizure in a dog with high fever, recent trauma or suspected poisoning.

In any of these cases, go to an emergency veterinary centre immediately.

Keep a seizure diary

One of the most useful tools for your vet is a simple record of each crisis. Note down:

Date and time of the seizure.
Duration of the active phase (hence the importance of timing it).
Description of what you saw: was it generalised or focal? Did it lose consciousness? Was there salivation or loss of bladder or bowel control?
What it was doing beforehand (sleeping, playing, eating) and how long it took to recover.
Possible triggers you notice, such as stress, routine changes or a missed dose.

This diary helps detect patterns, assess whether the treatment is working and adjust medication using objective data instead of memory alone.

Treatment and follow-up

Epilepsy cannot always be cured, but in most cases it is well controlled with treatment. Management usually includes:

Anticonvulsant medication, prescribed and adjusted by the vet according to the frequency and type of seizures.
Strict consistency with medication: never change or stop doses on your own.
Regular veterinary follow-up with possible blood tests to adjust doses.
Recording the seizures (frequency, duration, triggers) to assess progress.

The goal of treatment is to reduce the frequency and intensity of seizures, not always to eliminate them completely, and to improve the dog's quality of life.

Summary

A seizure is frightening, but with information and calm you can manage it well: time it, keep your hands out of its mouth, protect it from its surroundings and seek help if it lasts more than 5 minutes or repeats. Epilepsy is a manageable disease, and good veterinary follow-up allows many dogs to live a full and happy life. At dogstar.club you will find more canine health guides to care for your companion with confidence.

📎 Sources:

Merck Veterinary Manual — "Epilepsy in Small Animals": https://www.merckvetmanual.com/nervous-system/epilepsy-in-small-animals/epilepsy-in-small-animals
VCA Animal Hospitals — "Seizures in Dogs": https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/seizures-general-for-dogs
PetMD — "Seizures in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, and What To Do": https://www.petmd.com/dog/symptoms/seizures-in-dogs