There are a million reasons why owners love their dog

Understanding what to do during a seizure
What can you do to help your dog?

When you notice that your dog is about to have, or is actually having a seizure, the first thing to do is stay calm. Below are some other important things you can do to help.

Make sure your dog is not in a position to injure itself

If possible, remove any nearby objects that they could bump into, or get tangled in (such as coffee tables or electric cords)
Try not to hold your dog’s head or move their tongue out of their mouth. They won’t swallow their tongue, but they could bite you as their movements are involuntary

Remove as many ‘sensory stimuli’ as possible

Darken and quieten their surroundings by:

Turning the television off
Dimming the lights
Closing the curtains
Reducing the noise level in the room
Removing any other animals or young children from the room (where possible)

Try to time the length of the seizure

Generally a seizure will only last for a couple of minutes, although it may feel much longer. If your dog’s seizure lasts more than five minutes, or they have more than one seizure in a 24 hour period, you should contact your vet immediately.

Keep a seizure diary

Help your vet to identify any patterns in your dog’s epilepsy and recommend the most appropriate treatment options by keeping an accurate record of your dog’s seizures.

© 2015 Boehringer Ingelheim Pty Limited. All Rights Reserved. AUSTRALIA: Boehringer Ingelheim Pty Limited. ABN 52 000 452 308. Animal Health Division, 78 Waterloo Road, North Ryde NSW 2113. Toll Free 1800 038 037. Fax Number 02 8875 8715. NEW ZEALAND: Boehringer Ingelheim (NZ) Ltd. Animal Health Division, Level 1, Unit 9, 42 Ormiston Road, East Tamaki, Auckland. Toll Free 0800 802 461. Fax Number 09 271 0629.

This site is provided as an information service for veterinary professionals and the owners of dogs with epilepsy. Any questions about your dog should be directed to your veterinary practice.

The information contained in this website are intended to be used for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be general or specific medical advice. Please seek professional medical advice in respect to your particular situation prior to any use.