Medically reviewed by Dr. Scott Rizzo, DVM, MS, DACVIM, MBA, and Dr. Grace Clark, DVM, DACVIM
Quick answer: If your dog has a seizure, keep your hands away from their mouth, move them away from stairs and water, and note the time it starts. A first seizure ever, a seizure lasting more than 3 minutes, more than 3 seizures in 24 hours, or seizures that run together without your dog waking up in between are all emergencies, so call us at (502) 901-7990 or come straight in.
Watching your dog have a seizure is frightening. One moment they are fine, and the next they are on their side, paddling, drooling, and not responding to your voice. The good news is that there are clear, simple steps you can take to keep your dog safe, and clear signs that tell you when it is time to get help right away.
What is a seizure in a dog?
A seizure is a burst of abnormal muscle and nerve activity caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Seizures do not all look the same. Some are so subtle you might miss them: a few moments where your dog seems to stare blankly at nothing, or a small twitch of the face or a leg. Others are what most people picture, a full grand mal seizure, where the dog falls over, paddles their legs, drools, may urinate or defecate, and is not aware of what is going on around them.
It helps to know that each seizure tends to make more seizures likely. The abnormal brain cells can recruit the healthy cells around them to misfire too. That is one reason we take seizures seriously, even when a single episode seems to pass quickly.
What to do if your dog has a seizure
Your job during a seizure is to keep your dog from getting hurt and to gather information for your veterinarian. You do not need to stop the seizure yourself, and you should not try to.
Keep your hands away from the mouth
This is the most important rule. Never put your hands in or near your dog’s mouth during a seizure. Dogs cannot swallow their tongues, and a dog that is seizing is not in control of their jaw. Even the gentlest dog can bite hard without meaning to. Do not try to put anything in their mouth either.
Note the time
Look at a clock or start a timer on your phone as soon as you notice the seizure. Seizures almost always feel longer than they are, and the length of the episode is one of the most useful things you can tell us. If it is safe, a short video can also help your veterinarian.
Make the space safe
Gently guide your dog away from stairs, pools, ponds, bathtubs, and anything they could fall from or into. Move furniture or hard objects out of the way rather than trying to move a large dog. Keep children and other pets back. A quiet, dim room helps, so turn off the TV and keep voices calm.
Do not restrain your dog
Holding a seizing dog down does not shorten the seizure and can injure both of you. Stay close, talk softly, and let the episode run its course while you keep watching the clock.
After the seizure ends
Many dogs are confused, restless, or unsteady for a while after a seizure. Give your dog space and time to come back to themselves. Hold off on food and water until they are fully awake and able to walk normally. Then call us or your family veterinarian, even if your dog seems back to normal, to talk about next steps.
When a seizure is an emergency
Some seizures need to be treated right away. Prolonged seizures can be life threatening because the muscles used for breathing can stop working properly, which deprives the brain and other organs of oxygen. Please come in immediately if you see any of the following:
- Any first seizure ever. A new seizure in a dog who has never had one should always be seen by a veterinarian.
- A seizure lasting more than 3 minutes.
- More than 3 seizures in 24 hours. These are called cluster seizures.
- Back to back seizures without returning to normal consciousness in between. This is called status epilepticus, and it is a true emergency.
Not every seizure in a dog with known epilepsy needs a trip to the emergency room. If your dog has a diagnosis, is already on medication, and has a single short seizure that looks like their usual episodes, a call to your veterinarian may be all you need. If you are ever unsure, call us at (502) 901-7990 and we will help you decide. Our guide to emergency vs. urgent care can also help you sort out how quickly your pet needs to be seen.
Why is my dog having seizures?
There are many causes of seizures in dogs. Broadly, they fall into two groups: problems that start inside the brain and problems elsewhere in the body that affect the brain. The age when seizures first begin, along with how often they happen, what they look like, and whether they are getting worse, often points us toward the cause.
Causes outside the brain, at any age
Conditions outside the brain can trigger seizures in dogs of any age. These include head trauma, infections, reactions to medications or toxic substances, low blood sugar, imbalances in blood electrolytes, liver failure or severe kidney failure, and problems with oxygen or blood flow to the brain. If there is any chance your dog got into a medication, a toxin, or something unusual, tell us right away.
Puppies under 6 months
When seizures start before 6 months of age, we are more suspicious of a congenital problem, meaning something the puppy was born with. Examples include hydrocephalus, a structural abnormality of the brain, or a liver shunt, an abnormal blood vessel that lets blood bypass the liver.
Dogs from 6 months to 6 years: idiopathic epilepsy
When seizures begin between 6 months and 6 years of age and routine testing does not find an underlying cause, the dog often has idiopathic epilepsy. Idiopathic simply means the cause is unknown. Idiopathic epilepsy in dogs is a common reason for recurring seizures in otherwise healthy young and middle aged dogs.
Seizures in older dogs
When seizures begin later in life, after about 6 years of age, the risk of a brain tumor goes up. Brain tumors can be benign or malignant (cancer). A new seizure in a senior dog deserves a thorough workup.
How seizures in dogs are diagnosed
Bloodwork is the essential first step. A complete blood count and a chemistry panel with electrolytes help us look for the causes outside the brain described above, such as low blood sugar, electrolyte problems, or liver and kidney disease.
If bloodwork does not explain the seizures, advanced imaging of the brain may be recommended. An MRI or CT scan is needed to definitively diagnose a brain malformation, a tumor, or another structural problem in the brain. Depending on the case, we may also recommend sampling the spinal fluid, often called a spinal tap, to look for infectious or inflammatory disease.
At VSP, we use CT for brain imaging. CT scans and spinal taps are available at VSP Louisville today. Once our new Evansville hospital opens in early December 2026, both will be available at VSP Evansville as well.
How seizures in dogs are treated
Treatment generally centers on anticonvulsant medications. These medications work by calming the excitability of brain cells. Because of that, sedation is a common side effect, and many dogs go through a phase of wobbly walking and weakness during the first 2 to 3 weeks on a new medication. Let your veterinarian know what you are seeing.
Starting medication is a decision that weighs risks against benefits, and it is not automatic. We often wait until a dog has had recurrent seizures and shows a trend toward more frequent or more severe episodes. Dogs whose seizures happen very rarely, for example once every 3 to 6 months, may not need treatment at all. For dogs that do need medication, the condition can progress over time, and higher doses or additional anticonvulsants are often needed.
How VSP can help
If your dog is having a seizure right now or meets any of the emergency signs above, call VSP Louisville at (502) 901-7990 or come straight in. Our emergency and urgent care team in Louisville is open every day until 10 PM. If your pet needs help after we close, our after hours page explains your options, including care at a trusted 24 hour hospital.
For dogs with recurring seizures, our internal medicine specialists offer seizure and neurologic workups by appointment at VSP Louisville and VSP Evansville. We work alongside your family veterinarian to find answers and build a plan that fits your dog.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if my dog has a seizure?
Keep your hands away from your dog’s mouth, move them away from stairs and water, clear the space around them, and note the time the seizure starts. Do not restrain them. Once it ends, call your veterinarian or VSP at (502) 901-7990.
When is a dog seizure an emergency?
Come in right away for any first seizure ever, a seizure lasting more than 3 minutes, more than 3 seizures in 24 hours (cluster seizures), or seizures that follow one another without your dog returning to normal in between (status epilepticus).
Does every seizure need an emergency visit?
No. A dog with known epilepsy who has a single short seizure that looks like their usual episodes may not need the ER. If you are unsure, call us and we will help you decide.
Why would an older dog suddenly start having seizures?
When seizures begin after about 6 years of age, brain tumors become more likely, although causes outside the brain, such as low blood sugar or liver or kidney disease, are possible at any age. Bloodwork and often brain imaging help find the cause.
What is idiopathic epilepsy in dogs?
Idiopathic epilepsy means recurring seizures with no underlying cause found on routine testing. It most often starts between 6 months and 6 years of age.
Do I need a referral to see a VSP specialist?
No referral is needed. You can contact us directly. We include your family vet, request their records, and keep them updated throughout your dog’s care. You can find more answers on our FAQ page.
