A seizure can strike a pet at a moment’s notice and without warning.
That’s why animal rescue workers, veterinarians and pet-owners who are prepared to recognize and deal with pet seizures give their furry friends a better chance at surviving.
Teresa Green Cox is one of the founders of a CSRA rescue called Team Stinkykiss. The rescue group has had several dogs with neurological condition, and her own dog, Ava, developed the condition unexpectedly.
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“With Ava, hers came out of the blue. There were no signs that it was coming. Just one day, she was sitting there, then had a grand mal seizure,” said Cox.
A grand mal seizure is a full-on seizure, according to veterinarian Dr. Earnest Ward who wrote on seizures the topic for the Veterinary Centers of America, one of the largest vet clinic chains in the United States.
“It was the worst thing I had ever seen. She was unconscious and seizing for about three minutes, which seems like forever when you are watching that,” said Cox. “After she came out of it, it took a few hours, then she seemed normal.”
Many dogs experience cluster seizures. Cluster seizures are multiple seizures within a short period of time, according Ward’s article.
“In the middle of the night, Ava had another one,” said Cox. “I took her to the vet upon opening, and they said they were not going to start her on meds yet. Maybe she wouldn’t have anymore.”
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Vets will conduct a thorough history and physical exams of the animal before diagnosing. Blood and urine tests will be conducted too, Ward wrote. The results will help to rule out causes like livery disease and blood sugar levels.
Ward writes that there can be several causes for seizures that include liver disease, kidney failure, brain tumor, brain trauma and toxins. The most common cause is an inherited disorder named idiopathic epilepsy.
Once home from the vet, Ava experienced another seizure and was put on phenobarbital. This is a common medication used to treat seizures in animals, according to Ward.
“She (Ava) did good after that and didn’t have another seizure for about two years,” said Cox. “As long as they are given their medication, they are usually pretty normal.”
A dog must be on medication for life to treat seizures, according to Ward.
Haley Knight is a contributor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at haley.knight@TheAugustaPRESS.com
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