Seizures, also called epilepsy, are dogs’ most typical neurological conditions. This can alter how they look and behave. Many pet owners find it frightening to see their favorite pet having seizures, and you may be wondering what you can do to help your terrified furry friend. This article will review the signs of seizures, different types and causes, what to do if your dog has one, and how to treat them.

Discover more about the warning signs that your dog might have a seizure and what to do if you suspect one in this section.

Types of Seizures

There are different types of seizures. Each type might show different symptoms and require different treatment options.

Generalized Seizures

A generalized, also known as grand mal seizure, is the most common type. These may last for a few seconds to a couple of minutes and are commonly caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

Dogs usually lose consciousness, fall to the side, have involuntary urination or defecation, excessively drool, and have rhythmic muscle contractions like jerking limbs, paddling, and chewing jaw movements.

Partial Seizures

Partial seizures, also called focal seizures, only affect one side of the dog’s brain or one particular area of the brain. There are two types of seizures: focal motor and psychomotor. In some cases, a focal seizure can develop into a grand mal.

Focal motors are caused by nerve cells in one brain hemisphere firing abnormally and often present as repetitive facial muscle movements or uncontrolled limb jerking.

Psychomotor seizures can be challenging to recognize for dog owners and vets as they typically don’t cause a pet to fall to the ground. Instead, the dog could act oddly during this seizure, like running around and biting at inanimate objects or excessively chasing its tail.

Causes of Dog Seizures

Seizures can have many potential causes, some more severe than others. One or more of the following can lead to seizures or convulsions:

• Poisoning
• Traumatic head injury
• Kidney disease
• Liver problems
• Brain cancer
• Anemia
• High or low blood sugar level
• Brain infection or inflammation
• Stroke
• Hydrocephalus
• Low blood oxygen levels
• Encephalitis
• Vascular disease/Embolism

These are just a few main reasons seizures occur in dogs. A diagnostic examination with your veterinarian at Airport Pet Emergency Clinic is the only method to finding the cause of a seizure.

Signs of Seizures

Numerous signs can help you detect whether your dog is having a seizure or convulsion, including:

• Collapsing
• Jerking bodily movements
• Stiffening
• Muscle twitching
• Loss of consciousness
• Drooling
• Chomping or tongue chewing
• Mouth foaming
• Uncontrolled excreting or urinating

If you notice any of these in your furry friend, do not panic. However, if your dog experiences numerous seizures within a few minutes and does not wake up between them, you must take it to the emergency animal hospital in Blountville immediately.

Seizure Treatments

When it comes to dealing with seizures, your veterinarian may recommend some medications. Depending on your animal companion’s situation, you must also consider some alternative options, including:

• Acupuncture
• Chinese Herbal Formulas
• CBD Oil
• Food Therapy

To successfully treat seizures and eliminate any underlying issues, your dog will have an extensive health examination from your vet, including complete lab work.

Make sure to tell your veterinarian or pet pharmacy doctor about your pet’s medications or supplements. This will help your vet identify the most effective method to treat your pet based on their particular needs and reduce the possibility of a drug interaction.

Bottom Line

It’s never fun to look at your dog having a seizure, despite how it takes place. You might wonder what you can do to comfort your scared pet; when this occurs, try to stay composed before tending to your pet. Sadly, there is no other way to stop your dog from having a seizure. However, routine veterinary tests, including vaccinations and blood tests, may help discover underlying diseases that cause seizures.

Even a one-night stay at a boarding kennel can be distressing for your dog, so think of what a more extended stay would be like for them. Not every dog will suffer from kennel stress; however, for some, pet boarding can be a traumatic experience. Changing regimens and exposure to new scenarios can trigger stress and anxiety in even the calmest dogs.

Prevalent Signs of Dog Kennel Stress

Your dog’s reaction to pet boarding might be affected by several things, such as the dog’s personality, the kennel’s environment, and any unforeseen events throughout its stay. Your dog may have to adjust to a new diet, new routine, new persons handling them, and the possibility of aggression from other dogs. It’s possible to feel nervous because of these things.

If your dog’s behavior has changed after you brought them home from the kennel, check out the following signs of kennel stress.

Pacing

When a dog paces back and forth, they’re overwhelmed with stress and can’t relax. It might be tolerated if this only happens at mealtimes or for brief periods. Yet, being aware of the times your dog shows this behavior may help you recognize the source of their stress.

Pacing can be an indicator of dementia in senior dogs. If you have an elderly pet and observe this, do not delay getting them to the Western Veterinary Hospital.

Odd Body Language

Does your pet tremble whenever you approach? Do they show signs of fear after visiting the boarding facility? If so, the dog’s evident shift in body language is a massive sign of the stress they’re experiencing at the kennel. They may tuck their tail between their legs, shift their weight from one leg to another, and cower in terror.

Shedding

Stress-induced hair loss is well-known to occur in humans. When dogs experience stress at a boarding kennel, they, too, may begin to shed hair or develop bald spots. If your dog is concerned about anything, it might paw or scratch itself, which can trigger hair loss.

It is vital to pick a comfortable pet boarding for your dog if you want to reduce the amount of kennel anxiety they experience. Before committing to anything, make sure you’ve thoroughly examined their facility and the services they provide.

Stressed Eyes and Ears 

Dilated pupils and fast blinking are two stress symptoms in humans and dogs. When startled, they might appear to have wide-open eyes since the sclera (the eye’s white area) is more visible. On the other hand, typical, forward-facing ears are pushed back against the head.

Dogs yawn not only when they are sleepy or bored but also when they are under stress. A yawn induced by stress lasts longer and is more potent than a yawn brought on by fatigue. 

When dogs are anxious, they might drool or lick themselves excessively. Drooling, nevertheless, could be an indicator of oral health problems. Visiting your vet dentist is excellent if your pet needs routine dental checkups. If you are looking for a vet dentist, visit this page.

Bottom Line

Does a dog get distressed when staying in kennels? This is a challenging question to answer. Each canine has its personality and means of dealing with stress. You can only minimize the possibilities by taking all the needed safety measures and researching the kennels extensively. Actively paying attention to your dog’s body language can help you identify signs of stress and work promptly to relieve that problem.

A Dog Owner’s Guide to Common Veterinary Surgeries

Just like it would be for a human family member, any surgical procedure for your pet might raise concerns. Most pets will have at least one surgical procedure, ranging from basic procedures to severe, life-saving crises. Most veterinarians who dedicate their time to caring for animals perform surgery several times every week. Knowing if your pet needs general or specialty surgery is essential for making decisions.

Here are the most frequent surgeries only a qualified veterinary surgeon should do.

Common Elective Pet Surgery Procedures

Elective surgeries are optional procedures that pet owners seek. They consist of specific dental procedures and operations like neutering and spaying.

Spay

Spaying, often called “fixing,” involves performing surgery to remove all or a portion of the reproductive organs from a female dog. Ovariectomy and ovariohysterectomy are the two forms of sterilization treatments used on dogs. Ovariectomies remove the ovaries. A spay, often called an ovariohysterectomy, involves the removal of the uterus and ovaries. Both treatments make a female dog incapable of conceiving and going into heat.

Neuter

Veterinarians conduct neutering, sometimes called castration, to remove the testicles from male canines. Since the testicles are external to the scrotum, it requires less intrusion than spaying. A single skin incision is made after the dog is given general anesthesia, but occasionally one or both testicles will not drop and stay in the abdomen. Since testicles that are left in the abdomen might develop cancer, an exploratory procedure is required. Get in touch with a veterinarian in Ruckersville for any inquiries.

Dental Extractions

It’s essential to remove a dog’s diseased teeth. The dog can eventually be freed from the illness once a bad tooth has been extracted and the region has been cleared of infectious material. Further to being unpleasant, infections brought on by periodontal disease raise the risk of infection in the body’s main organ systems should germs from infected teeth reach circulation. Learn more by clicking here.

Benign Skin Growths

Veterinarians will advise the removal of a tumor if it is painful or uncomfortable or if test results point to a possibly malignant growth. Tumors can only be eliminated by removing at least some of the skin around them. Following the growth’s removal, it may be sent to the laboratory for a diagnostic confirmation to determine whether the entire tumor was removed.

Common Urgent Care Pet Surgery Procedures

Urgent care falls into the ambiguous category, including emergency treatment and regular vet visits. Urgent care should be sought for medical crises that call for quick attention but aren’t always life-threatening.

ACL Repair

This procedure entails cutting the cruciate ligament in a dog’s knee. The fact that this is by far the most frequent surgical procedure performed by vets suggests that if your dog needs an ACL repair, a vet surgeon should carry out the procedure. Experience is always vital to a successful outcome. Check out facilities with excellent track records, like the Ruckersville Animal Hospital.

Fractures and Dislocations

A surgical and management option exists for almost all fractures and other orthopedic injuries, and most are amenable to several different therapies. Unusually, a condition could be given that is not theoretically repairable, regardless of how horrible it may seem. This is especially true concerning fracture repair.

Stomach Surgery

Bowel obstruction, or when the stomach or intestines are blocked partially or entirely, is a common reason for concern in all dogs. Various issues are brought on by obstructions, including reduced blood circulation and the inability of food and fluids to move through the GI tract. Foreign bodies cause bowel blockages most often. Nonetheless, some typical intestinal obstructions to watch out for in elderly dogs are lumps or tumors.

Post-Surgical Care

Your pet may be affected by the anesthetic drugs for a few days after the procedure and the after-effects of the surgery itself. Give your pet a calm and comfortable place to recover, and keep small children and other pets away for the first few days.

Your dog could be prescribed oral painkillers or other drugs after surgery. If you have been told to give your dog any medicine, please review the label meticulously and make sure you deliver all medication as directed. Your veterinary team will advise you on any other instructions that are needed.