A seizure happens when there’s a sudden surge of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. Exactly where that electrical storm occurs — and how much of the brain it involves — shapes what pet parents see during an episode.

Seizures in pets are serious. Without prompt evaluation and care, they can worsen over time, potentially causing permanent neurological injury or even death. However, with timely veterinary attention and appropriate management, many pets who experience seizures go on to live long, happy lives.

At Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital in Surrey, our board-certified veterinary neurologists bring specialized expertise in diagnosing and treating seizure activity — from the acute phase through long-term management, including epilepsy counselling, neurology referral, diagnostics, and neurosurgery when needed.

Spotting the Signs: What a Seizure Looks Like in Your Pet

Seizures don’t always look like dramatic full-body convulsions. Depending on the type, signs can be subtle or striking:

• Generalized (grand mal) seizures: whole-body convulsions, collapse, stiffening, loss of consciousness, paddling of the limbs, drooling, or foaming at the mouth.
• Tocal seizures: twitching of one limb, facial spasms, or repetitive movements on one side of the body.
• Psychomotor seizures: unusual, repeated behaviours like circling, chasing shadows, or chewing motions that don’t respond to cues.

After a seizure, pets may appear disoriented, anxious, or even try to hide. Some may pace, walk in circles, or bump into objects. In some cases, you may notice subtle warning signs before a seizure begins, such as restlessness or confusion.

Staying Calm in the Storm: What to Do in the Moment for Pet Seizures

Seeing your pet seizuring can be frightening. Try to stay as calm as possible, and follow these guidelines (START):

• S — Secure the area: Move your pet away from stairs, furniture, bodies of water, or hard objects, while keeping hands away from your pet’s face to prevent any accidental bite injuries. Most animals are not aware of their surroundings during and after a seizure, and may exhibit behaviors that are atypical for them including an aggressive demeanor or biting. If possible, cushion their head if they’re on a hard surface. Don’t restrain them — let the seizure run its course but keep them safe.
• T — Time and track the episode: If you can, start timing the seizure from the first abnormal movement until things calm down. Use your phone to record a video if it’s safe to do so. This objective data is extremely useful to neurologists in diagnosing the type and severity of the seizure.
• A — Avoid their mouth: Pets cannot swallow their tongues. Trying to put anything in their mouth risks serious injury — usually to you. Stay near your pet but keep your hands and fingers away from their head and mouth.
• R — Reach out to your veterinarian: Call your primary care veterinarian or nearest emergency clinic immediately. Describe what happened, how long it lasted, and what your pet is doing now.
• T — Transport to emergency care if needed: If the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, if there are multiple seizures in a short time (cluster seizures or status epilepticus), or your pet doesn’t return to normal within a few hours, head to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital. At Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital, our emergency department is open 24/7, emergency walk-ins are welcome, and our neurologists are on call around the clock.

  

When does a seizure event warrant urgent veterinary attention?

Not all seizures are emergencies, but some demand urgent care. Seek immediate help if:

• It’s your pet’s first seizure
• A seizure lasts more than five minutes
• Multiple seizures occur in a 24-hour period
• Your pet stays disoriented long after the episode
• Seizures are becoming more frequent or severe

Prolonged seizures can cause dangerous complications, including overheating, injury, and permanent brain damage. Repetitive or untreated seizures may ultimately become more difficult to manage over time.

Finding the “Why”: Diagnosing the Cause

At Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital, we know seizures are a sign of an underlying issue — not a final diagnosis. Our neurologists follow a step-by-step process to uncover the cause:

• History and neurological exam: Detailed descriptions or videos from owners are invaluable.
• Laboratory testing: Bloodwork, urinalysis, and sometimes spinal fluid analysis.
• Advanced imaging: Our on-site high-field MRI and CT scans can reveal tumors, inflammation, or structural abnormalities.
• Team-based care: Neurology works alongside critical care, internal medicine, oncology, and surgery when needed.

This comprehensive approach ensures that treatable conditions are identified and managed quickly.

Treatment Beyond the Emergency: Medication and Monitoring

If the diagnosis is idiopathic epilepsy (recurring seizures without an identifiable underlying brain lesion), the goal becomes managing seizures to preserve quality of life.

• Anti-seizure medications are started when seizures are repetitive, frequent, prolonged, or worsening.
• First-line options might include Levetiracetam, Phenobarbital, Topiramate, or Potassium bromide, which are relatively cost-effective.
• If seizures continue despite those, other medications — such as Zonisamide, Gabapentin, Topiramate, or Pregabalin — may be added or substituted.
• In emergency or severe cases, short-acting medications such as midazolam or diazepam may be prescribed as “rescue” protocols.
• Successful long-term management relies on monitoring: tracking seizure frequency, duration, inter-ictal behaviour, medication side effects, blood levels, and adjustments as needed.

At Boundary Bay, our neurologists offer epilepsy counselling and management assistance, working with you to optimize your pet’s quality of life, tailor medication plans, and adjust as needed over time.

Final Thoughts About Pet Seizures

If your pet has a seizure — or suffers from recurrent or unexplained neurological events — don’t wait. Immediate first aid and veterinary evaluation are essential. At Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital, our neurology team is equipped to provide rapid, specialty care, from emergency stabilization through long-term epilepsy management and neurosurgical intervention when needed.

Contact us anytime, day or night, if your pet experiences a seizure. Or, your primary veterinarian can refer you for a neurology consultation. With the right care, many pets go on to lead vibrant, comfortable, happy, seizure-controlled lives.

Frequently Asked Questions About Seizures in Pets

What is a seizure in pets?

A seizure is caused by a sudden surge of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. The location and extent of this abnormal activity determine what signs a pet shows during the episode.

Are seizures in pets dangerous?

Yes. Seizures are serious medical events. Without prompt veterinary evaluation and care, they can worsen over time and may lead to permanent neurological damage or even death. With timely treatment and proper management, many pets can live long, happy lives.

What do seizures look like in dogs and cats?

Seizures can appear in different ways depending on the type:

• Generalized (grand mal) seizures involve whole-body convulsions, collapse, stiffening, loss of consciousness, paddling movements, drooling, or foaming at the mouth.
• Focal seizures may cause twitching of one limb, facial spasms, or repetitive movements on one side of the body.
• Psychomotor seizures can look like unusual repeated behaviors such as circling, chewing motions, or chasing shadows that don’t respond to cues.

What happens after a seizure?

After a seizure, pets often enter a recovery phase where they may appear disoriented, anxious, pace, walk in circles, bump into objects, or try to hide. Some pets also show subtle warning signs before a seizure, such as restlessness or confusion.

What should I do if my pet is having a seizure?

Stay as calm as possible and follow these steps:

• Secure the area to prevent injury and cushion your pet’s head if needed.
• Time the seizure and, if safe, record a video to share with your veterinarian.
• Avoid your pet’s mouth—pets cannot swallow their tongues, and attempting to intervene can cause injury.
• Contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic immediately.
• Seek emergency care if the seizure lasts more than five minutes, occurs in clusters, or your pet does not return to normal within a few hours.

When is a pet seizure an emergency?

Immediate veterinary care is needed if:

• It is your pet’s first seizure
• A seizure lasts longer than five minutes
• Multiple seizures occur within 24 hours
• Your pet remains disoriented long after the seizure
• Seizures are becoming more frequent or severe

Prolonged seizures can cause overheating, injury, and permanent brain damage.

What causes seizures in pets?

Seizures are a symptom of an underlying problem rather than a diagnosis themselves. Causes may include metabolic disorders, inflammation, tumors, or structural brain abnormalities. In some cases, no identifiable cause is found, and the condition is diagnosed as idiopathic epilepsy.

How are seizures diagnosed?

Veterinary neurologists use a step-by-step approach that may include:

• A detailed medical history and neurological exam
• Laboratory testing such as bloodwork and urinalysis
• Advanced imaging like MRI or CT scans
• Collaboration with other specialties such as critical care, internal medicine, oncology, or surgery

Owner observations and videos are especially valuable in diagnosis.

What is idiopathic epilepsy in pets?

Idiopathic epilepsy refers to recurring seizures without an identifiable underlying brain lesion. Management focuses on controlling seizures and preserving quality of life rather than curing the condition.

How are seizures treated long term?

Long-term treatment often involves anti-seizure medications, especially if seizures are frequent, prolonged, or worsening. Management requires ongoing monitoring of seizure patterns, medication side effects, and blood levels, with adjustments made as needed over time.

Can pets live a normal life with seizures?

Yes. With proper veterinary care, consistent monitoring, and appropriate treatment, many pets with seizures or epilepsy can live vibrant, comfortable, and happy lives with good seizure control.