- 1). Observe your dog carefully for signs of an impending seizure. During the first part of the seizure, known as the aura, your dog might whine, pant, pace, cry, or seek you out for comfort and security. Write down the time you notice these seizures so you can document the length of the episode. Also note what happened to the dog during the seizure and any unusual occurrences that might have triggered the episode, such as a new home, new visitor or other unusual stressors in his environment.
- 2). Stay close to your dog and try to calm him as the seizure moves into the active phase, known as ictus. While in ictus, the dog may fall over, thrash, shake, bite at the air and vomit. During this phase the dog is not aware of his surroundings and might hurt himself if not closely watched. Move any heavy or sharp objects out of the area while your dog is in ictus to prevent further injury.
After the seizure is over, called the post-ictal phase, the dog will appear to come out of a daze, shaking her head and often blinking repeatedly in an attempt to come back to reality. She may appear confused and move from room to room trying to refamiliarize herself with her people and her surroundings. - 3). Schedule an appointment for your dog to be examined by your veterinarian. Take your journal along so that you can discuss exactly what happened during the seizure. Your vet will run a series of blood tests and an X-ray or cat scan panel to rule out any brain deformities or injuries before prescribing any medication.
- 4). Give your dog any medication prescribed by your veterinarian exactly as directed. Phenobarbitol, Dilantin and Primidone are all frequently prescribed to treat seizures in dogs. These types of medications act as antistimulants for your dog, keeping the neurons in the brain quiet without making your dog appear drugged. Since they alter the brain chemistry of your dog, it is essential that they be given exactly as indicated.
- 5). Mix a solution of sugar water to keep on hand if your dog is having seizures due to hypoglycemia. Two tbsp. of sugar for each cup of warm water is enough to help raise your dog's blood sugar enough to stop seizures. Using a medicine dropper, place 1 tsp. of the solution at the back of your dog's tongue when you notice a seizure coming on.
- 6). Keep your dog as calm as possible and avoid any excessive stimulation to help prevent seizures. Many dogs seize as a result of too much stress in their environment, so limit visitors to your home and keep activities as quiet as possible while your dog is near. Set up your dog's crate in a quiet, low-traffic area of your home and place your dog in the kennel during stressful times to avoid triggering an episode.
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