Seizures in Pets: What to Do Until You Reach the Vet
Watching your pet have a seizure can be terrifying, but knowing how to respond calmly can make all the difference. A seizure happens when abnormal electrical activity occurs in the brain, leading to sudden, uncontrollable movements or loss of awareness.
What a Seizure May Look Like
Seizures can vary in appearance and duration. You may notice:
- Sudden collapse or stiffening
- Jerking or paddling movements
- Drooling, vocalizing, or loss of bladder control
- Disorientation or confusion afterward
What to Do in the Moment
- Stay calm and keep your distance. Move nearby objects or furniture to prevent injury, but don’t touch your pet’s mouth or try to hold them down.
- Time the seizure. Most last 30 seconds to 2 minutes. If it lasts longer than 5 minutes or multiple seizures occur in a short period, it’s an emergency.
- Keep them safe afterward. Once the seizure stops, your pet may be disoriented — keep the area quiet and dim until they recover.
When to See a Veterinarian
Always contact your vet after a seizure, even if your pet seems fine. Testing can help identify the cause, which may include epilepsy, toxins, metabolic disorders, or infections.
If your pet experiences a seizure, call us or book an appointment as soon as possible for evaluation and guidance on what to do next.
About Us
At Partners Veterinary Group, we believe in energizing our team members through shared values, while helping them create value for our clients and patients. Knowing we can help make pets’ and people’s lives better motivates us to continually strive for excellence and love what we do.
Our team consistently works to build educational, supportive, and cooperative work environments that cater to positive experiences and professional growth. We’re constantly evolving, creating innovative ways to deliver cutting-edge medicine to our patients. We equip our teams with tools to enhance their skills and improve their knowledge.