We’re rounding out our 5 Common Issues with your Pets blog series and will be ending with the brain dysfunction known as seizures. Seizures are a clear sign that something is not right with your pet and can be caused by blunt force trauma, poisoning, brain tumors or even a genetic condition known as epilepsy. Whatever the cause, what you do during your pet’s seizure can make a huge difference.
Seizures like choking are far more common in dogs than they are in our kitty companions – BUT cats can have seizures – so please keep reading to find out what you can do while your pet is experiencing one.
Keeping your pet safe during a seizure involves minimizing ways for them to injure themselves. NEVER put your hand in or around a seizing animal’s mouth, but you should prevent them from falling off of furniture or down stairs if they happen to be nearby when your animal starts to seizure. Although it can be difficult to remain calm, try to note the time that passes from the start of the seizure until its end. Seizure activity lasting longer than 5 minutes is a serious medical emergency, but most seizures will stop on their own within a minute or two. If this is your pet’s first seizure or the seizure is for a prolonged, time span; seek immediate veterinarian attention, noting not to transport until the animal has stopped seizing. It is common for pets to lose bladder or fecal control during a seizure.
It’s certainly pretty obvious when your pet seizes in front of you, here is an example of Wolfie, a husky having a seizure.
Sometimes you may not be aware that your pet has suffered a seizure but may only walk into an accident in the house. If accidents are out of character for your pet and they seem off when you return home; definitely document the time, date, frequency of accidents if this has happened more than once and call your vet!
To conclude our series; thank you for taking the time to learn about the 5 more common maladies for our pets. There is so much more to learn in order to make their lives better. Take the time – it’s a small investment – to prepare yourself on the actions best taken when your best friend isn’t at their best. Get certified in pet first aid and CPR right now.