What to do when your dog has a fit

If its discontinued the dog is at greater risk for seizures. Never put your hands near or in your dogs mouth during a seizure.

Place two fingers inside the collar and they should fit there snugly not too loose and not.

What to do when your dog has a fit. If your dog has a series of fits in a short space of time they are at risk of brain damage and in extreme circumstances may end up in a coma. Emergency treatment may be needed so please contact your vet as soon as possible or out of hours find your nearest Vets Now pet emergency clinic or Vets Now 247 hospital. Call your vet immediately if your dog has been having a seizure for longer than 5 minutes or they have had more than one seizure in a row.

A seizure often called a fit is faulty electrical activity in the brain which causes your dog to lose control of their body. Seizures vary a lot in how they look and how long they last from a few seconds to many minutes. When your dog is having a fit its important to remain calm.

Remember despite how it looks your pet is not conscious and will not be in pain. By keeping quiet and calm youll avoid adding any excessive sensory stimulation. Ensure your dog is not in a dangerous position such as at the top of the stairs or by water.

If he is gently and slowly move him to safety. Quietly remove any items surrounding your dog that he could bang into while fitting. Tip 1 - Teach your pup the lay or sit command.

One of the most effective ways of snapping your dog out of his craziness is by issuing a command he responds well to. The second he throws his little tantrum give an authoritative sit or lay or whatever word you use for the respected commands. If you find yourself with an adopted dog that just doesnt fit with your family or lifestyle the best thing you can do is return him to the shelter so he has an opportunity to find a better fit.

Its a difficult choice to make but ultimately the best for both of you. Adopters of canines can educate themselves about the dogs breed so although breed doesnt tell you everything about a pet they have some idea what to expect. Potential adopters should also consider their existing pets.

If your dog has had seizures before and you think one is coming on try to move the dog to a safe soft area where there are no sharp objects or hard floors. The best thing you can do is to remain calm and try to keep your dog and yourself out of danger. Never put your hands near or in your dogs mouth during a seizure.

When you see your dog having a seizure try to place a pillow or a cushion beneath its head and talk to your dog in a low soothing voice to comfort it. However do not stick your hand or. AKCs Chief Veterinary Officer Dr.

Jerry Klein discusses dog seizures including what causes them and what to do if your pup has one. To fit your dog properly with a collar and prevent any choking accidents always check how tight it is. Place two fingers inside the collar and they should fit there snugly not too loose and not.

If your dog continues to have seizures and theyre getting to the point where theyre once a month or two to three times a month at some point the frequency is going to warrant medication. Talk with your veterinarian. There are seizure medications that typically work pretty well for dogs and can help control their seizures.

The vet will likely treat your dog with an anticonvulsant medication such as phenobarbital or leviteracitam Keppra. Once you start your dog on an anticonvulsant med you must continue it for the rest of the dogs life. If its discontinued the dog is at greater risk for seizures.

Speak with your vet about all your options and be clear on all instructions if you find you need to switch to another. If your dog has obvious wounds take him to the veterinarian immediately. Most bite wounds heal well when they are treated appropriately but they almost invariably become infected when treatment is delayed.

Even if your dog seems to be fine after the fight keep a close eye on him. Some injuries may not become apparent for a few days. If you notice that your dog is having a seizure give him space and make sure that he has a clear area to let the seizure run its course.

Your dog will experience involuntary muscle contractions and may start foaming at the mouth. The seizure should end within a few minutes so just hold tight and be prepared to care for your dog afterward. Turn a fan on your dog and put cold water on their paws to cool them down.

Talk to your dog softly to reassure them. Avoid touching them - they may unknowingly bite. Call your vet when the seizure ends.

If dogs have a seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes or have several in a row while they are unconscious take them to a vet as soon as possible. The longer a seizure goes on the higher a dogs body. Once your dog relaxes and possibly sleeps you must try and relax.

Even if you cant fall back asleep just do some breathing exercises and lay in bed. Sharon and Tasha - Jack Russell Terrier Return to Top of page. Once the seizure is over it is time to give Tasha a teaspoon of Haagen Dazs vanilla ice cream with Rescue Remedy on top.

This is Tashas favorite part and mine too. It means that.