When pet owners witness their furry companions experiencing a seizure—suddenly collapsing and convulsing, often with foaming at the mouth—they can feel overwhelmed and panic. Many instinctively try to place a towel in the pet's mouth, but this can cause harm. Dr. He Zhi-yuan from Oasis Animal Hospital offers four key points on how to properly handle such situations to ensure the safety of both pets and owners.
Causes and Symptoms of Seizures
According to Dr. He, the causes of seizures can be categorized into three main types:
- Metabolic issues: These include liver or kidney damage, hypoglycemia, or electrolyte imbalances.
- Cerebral structural problems: Conditions such as inflammation, infections, tumors, vascular issues, abnormal development, or exposure to toxins.
- Idiopathic epilepsy: This refers to seizures where no cause can be identified even after thorough examination.
Seizures typically progress through four stages:
- Preictal phase: Pets may exhibit unusual behaviors such as hiding, vocalizing, or showing anxiety.
- Ictal phase: This is when the symptoms are most pronounced, including loss of consciousness, falling over, stiffening of limbs, foaming at the mouth, or incontinence.
- Postictal phase: After a seizure, pets may appear disoriented and wander aimlessly; symptoms can last from hours to days.
Prolonged seizures can lead to serious complications such as brain swelling, increased intracranial pressure, hypoglycemia, hyperthermia, or rhabdomyolysis, which can be life-threatening.
Emergency Response: Four Key Points
When a pet has a seizure, Dr. He advises owners to remain calm and take the following actions:
- Move the pet to a soft surface to prevent further injury.
- Record the duration of the seizure and try to capture video footage for veterinary reference.
- If the seizure lasts longer than five minutes or if there are signs of worsening consciousness or difficulty breathing, seek immediate veterinary care.
- Avoid placing any objects or towels in the pet's mouth to prevent choking or bites.
Caution: Dangerous Seizure Types
Dr. He highlights two particularly dangerous seizure types:
- Cluster seizures: Occurring twice within 24 hours with each lasting less than five minutes.
- Status epilepticus: A single seizure lasting more than five minutes or multiple seizures without recovery of normal consciousness in between.
Both conditions can severely damage the brain and require immediate veterinary attention. Dr. He emphasizes that while some causes of epilepsy may be treatable, pets that have experienced seizures may still have recurring episodes in the future. Continuous observation by owners is crucial for managing their pets' health effectively.
