Top 12 reasons dogs have seizures and ways to help them
Heartworm:Heartworm is a rare cause of seizures in dogs, but it’s possible. Since the heartworm test is simple and commonly performed, it’s worth asking your veterinarian about heartworm if your dog is having seizures.
Canine Distemper Virus (CDV):Canine distemper virus, or CDV, impacts dogs’ respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Once the disease progresses to attacking the nervous system, seizures are possible.
Idiopathic Epilepsy: idiopathic epilepsy is the most common cause of seizures in young dogs. Idiopathic epilepsy’s cause is unknown, but we do know that it’s genetic.
Diabetes or Low Blood Sugar:Diabetes in dogs happens when their bodies don’t process glucose as they should. Without treatment, diabetes can cause neurological symptoms such as seizures and even comas in dogs.
Brain Tumors:There are two types of brain tumors in dogs. Primary brain tumors initiate in the brain, while secondary tumors spread from other parts of the body. Brain tumors can be cancerous but aren’t always.
Kidney Failure:Kidney disease can be diagnosed via blood and urine tests at the vet. Treating kidney disease early gives your dog the best chance at a longer, healthier life with fewer complications.
Liver Disease:When a dog’s liver is damaged, it can regenerate, but sometimes not quickly enough–especially if the damage is ongoing. Prompt treatment gives them the best chances of recovery.
Poisoning:Poisoning that causes a dog to have a seizure is considered an emergency medical situation. Please call your nearest emergency vet clinic, or see if your primary vet is open and takes emergency appointments.
Heat Stroke:Heat stroke in dogs is a medical emergency caused by elevated body temperature. You’ll most often see heat stroke in dogs who have been left in a hot car or after strenuous exercise in hot weather.
Thiamine Deficiency:Thiamine, or vitamin B1, helps a dog’s metabolism and cell health. If they’re deficient in this key nutrient, dogs first show gastrointestinal symptoms such as poor appetite, upset stomach, and weight loss.
Rabies:Rabies typically occurs when an unvaccinated dog is bitten by an infected animal. Dogs with up-to-date rabies vaccines are very unlikely to develop it.
Trauma to the Brain:Any trauma or damage to the brain can cause seizures. For the most part, you will know if your dog has been hurt in this way. Maybe they were in the car during an accident or fell and hit their head.