Seeing your beloved pet in the grips of a seizure is an alarming, shocking and utterly frightening experience. Removing environmental stimuli, administering a tranquilizer and taking care of him after the attack will be of great help during these traumatic times. If you can stay calm and focused on keeping your dog safe, you will be able to help him recover as quickly as possible.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Keeping your dog safe
Step 1. Stay calm
During a seizure your dog will be disoriented and frightened. You don't want to add more stress by becoming hysterical, yelling, or otherwise reinforcing the impression that it's okay to be afraid. Alarming him only serves to increase his upset and prolong the episode. All this is highly counterproductive for a quick hospitalization.
- During a seizure, your dog is highly sensitive; noise, light, and sometimes even a simple touch can trigger a new flow of electrical impulses in the brain that fuel the attack. By remaining calm you can assess the situation and identify possible causes of triggering, and take action to make the environment calm and peaceful.
- Note the time. As soon as your dog starts having an epilepsy attack, take note of the start and end times. This is useful information for the vet to understand how serious (or not very serious) the attack was.
- Also, when a pet is in the throes of a seizure, time seems to stand still. It can be reassuring to know that what seemed like a lifetime was actually a minute or two.
Step 2. Remove items that could hurt your dog
During an attack, your dog will squirm. Look around to identify nearby objects that it could bump into and injure itself, such as chair legs or edges. Whenever possible, move objects, rather than the dog, as touching him may stimulate epilepsy.
You may also want to remove items that you don't want to break, whether they are a danger to your dog or not. It could hit them and make them fall
Step 3. Use pillows to protect your dog
Light items are easy to remove from the room, but for heavier items like tables you can place a cushion against the most dangerous areas to cushion any bumps. Blankets and towels work just as well, in an emergency.
- If your dog is at risk of bumping into a large object, a useful alternative is to cover him with a duvet, leaving his head free.
- If it's banging its head against the floor, it's fine to slip a pillow under it to cushion the impact.
Step 4. Don't put your hand near or inside your dog's mouth
The fact that he can swallow his tongue during a seizure is just a myth. He will not know what he is doing and may bite you and not let go of his hand until the attack is over. It is neither necessary nor wise to take such a risk.
Step 5. Only move your dog if he is in any danger
The only situation in which you should touch your dog (except to give him a tranquilizer, as discussed below) is if he is in danger and his seizure could cause him physical harm. If he has an attack at the top of a flight of stairs, for example, then it's best to risk moving him and sliding him slowly across the floor to a safe spot.
"Sliding" your dog is the secret. You don't want a dog in the throes of a seizure to squirm in your arms, risking falling, hurting both of you. If you can, push it, slide it, or move it in some other way that doesn't involve picking it up. This way you will both be safe
Step 6. Record a video
Once you have done everything you can to facilitate its recovery, take a short video of the epilepsy case on your smartphone. It will be useful to your vet as not everything that looks like a seizure really is. It is extremely helpful for a vet to be able to witness the attack directly.
If you are too upset to do this, ask another person to record it. Just make sure your dog is at a safe distance so that your dog's condition is not worsened
Part 2 of 4: Minimizing the Stimuli
Step 1. Turn off the lights and draw the curtains
A dim room provides much less stimulation to your pooch, perhaps improving and shortening the attack. Take a look and see what you can do to make the room as quiet and subdued as possible. At night, it leaves a dim light with which to observe the dog.
Put simply, a seizure is an electrical "storm" in the brain. Anything that stimulates the brain, such as light, noise, smell or touch, has the potential to worsen, or even lengthen, the attack
Step 2. Make the room quiet
This storm of electricity will be heightened by outside noises. To help him get through this difficult time, turn off the TV and radio. Similarly, ask everyone to leave the room. The last thing your dog needs is an audience of shocked, anxious and talking people, so get them out of the room and give your dog some space and quiet.
You will need to look after your dog to feel calmer, take the time for the seizure and make sure he is okay. Remain silent and as still as possible during this time to make the attack as bearable as possible for him
Step 3. Get rid of any odors
A dog's sense of smell can be quite powerful, so if you have burning scented candles or a roast in the oven, try to get rid of their smell. Blow out the candles and put them away and open a door to increase ventilation.
It will be difficult to move a large dog during a seizure. But even moving a small one, while easier to handle, may not be a good idea as touch is also a source of stimulation and can make it agitated in this delicate situation. It will be much easier to get rid of odors than to move your dog
Step 4. Don't be tempted to pet your dog
This is a controversial topic for some owners because they feel obliged to stroke their pet to calm their anxiety. The problem is that touch is a form of stimulation, so it's probably best to leave it alone. The seizure will pass sooner if you try not to interfere.
During an attack, he won't realize you're there, or at worst your presence could prolong it. While stroking him might calm you down, it is unlikely to have the same effect on him
Part 3 of 4: Using a Tranquilizer
Step 1. If appropriate, use a tried and tested tranquilizer
If your dog has already had epilepsy attacks, your vet may have prescribed rectal Diazepam to use before or after an episode. It is a tranquilizer that is useful in calming brain activity enough to stop the attack in some dogs.
- Since your dog cannot swallow oral medicine during an attack, a good method of administration is rectal. Diazepam is well absorbed by the rectal mucosa and quickly enters the bloodstream.
- A 20 kg dog requires 10 mg of Diazepam, as soon as possible after the attack begins. The dose can be repeated three times in a 24 hour period.
Step 2. Rectal enema
To administer Diazepam, remove the cap from the enema syringe and squeeze a vial of Diazepam over the tip to lubricate it. Here's how to administer it gently and safely:
- Gently hold your dog's tail away from the anus so you can see his rectal opening.
- Place the tip against the central opening and with a gentle twisting motion pushes the neck of the syringe into the rectum as far as it will go.
- With the nozzle well inserted into the rectum, squeeze the tube to empty the contents into the rectum.
- Remove the nozzle and discard the used vial.
Step 3. Administer the tranquilizer as quickly as possible
The sooner you give your dog Diazepam, the sooner his symptoms will disappear. However, don't let haste disturb your calm. While timing is important, it is more important not to aggravate your dog's condition further.
You can also give your dog medicine after the attack, to help keep him calm and prevent future episodes, especially if he is prone to a series of close attacks
Part 4 of 4: Taking Care of Your Dog after an Attack
Step 1. Give your dog something to eat
Once he has recovered, he will likely be hungry and thirsty. Small dogs in particular often suffer from hypoglycemia after a seizure, so it's a good sign if they ask you for food. Even if he doesn't, provide him with food and water.
If he doesn't eat, don't fret. Give him some time to get used to the environment. He also needs rest
Step 2. Let your dog take it easy
It is normal for him to feel strange and disoriented for a while, so if he wants to rest in silence, let him. It is entirely understandable that it is drained and these symptoms shouldn't scare you.
Additionally, some dogs suffer from close seizures which means they will be more prone to other seizures within the 24-hour span. If this is the case with your dog, then make him feel comfortable, calm and rested
Step 3. If this is your dog's first case of epilepsy, call your vet
He will want to examine your pet and have him undergo blood tests to check if there are any underlying diseases or problems that may have triggered the attack. It will also answer your questions, reassuring you.
