Dogs can have seizures like humans! Witnessing your canine companion have a seizure can be alarming and make us fell out of control and helpless. Like in humans, seizures in dogs result from abnormal activity in the brain and lead your dog to lose control of his body.
While it is considered relatively common, it is still distressing and can cause anxiety for you and your dog. Dogs eight years old or younger tend to have seizures caused by epilepsy. There are several causes of seizures and dog fits like:
· Low blood sugar levels
· Stroke
· Calcium deficiency
· Heart stroke
· Anemia
· Head trauma
· High or low blood pressure
· Brain tumors
· Poor circulation
· Kidney disease
· Liver disease
· Some infectious disease
· Some poisons
In most cases, a one-off seizure is not immediately life-threatening. However, prolonged dog seizures can be very deadly. We recommend seeking advice from your vet whenever your dog has a seizure. Seizures expose your canine companion to the risk of brain damage and (in extreme circumstances) coma.
Whether in humans or dogs, no two seizures ever look the same. However, you can notice once your dog starts to tremble, start to jerk violently with their eyes glazed over, and sometimes they may fall or lie down.
You may also notice drooling and focal twitching champing off his jaw. Some dogs may also pass urine or defecate depending on the severity of the seizure. Your dog could appear disoriented and sometimes blind after the seizure, commonly referred to as the “post-ictal” period.
However, that will last less than two hours. You could spot subtle changes in recurring cases, and with the time, you can learn your dog’s behavior when it’s about to have a seizure, the “pre-ictal” period. Here are seven tips to prevent and treat dog seizures:
Acupuncture
This practice involves inserting thin, sterile, stainless steel needles in specific points on your dog’s body to produce a physiological response. Acupuncture can provide pain relief, stimulate the nervous and immune systems, decrease inflammation, increase microcirculation, and help treat seizures, epilepsy, and other neurological diseases.
Since no two seizures are the same, you will have a set of unique sessions to treat the seizures. Severe and frequent seizures need more treatments to help lessen or eradicate them.
Conventional Seizure Medications
There are reliable anti-seizure medications for dogs in the pet market. Your vet can recommend medications like Keppra (levetiracetam), Phenobarbital, and potassium bromide to help control seizures.
However, conventional seizure medications are processed by the dog’s liver. Long-term use of these medications could lead to permanent liver damage. Make sure your dog gets regular blood work to ensure that his blood levels are appropriate and for drug monitoring.
If your dog has signs of liver disease or damage, anti-seizure medications are not the best choice. This option is also not recommended if your canine companion has health issues like Cushing’s disease and thyroid disease.
Chinese Herbal Formulas
Chinese herbal formulas combined with acupuncture or used alone can help enhance the sessions’ efficacy and prolong how long the results last. These formulas are safe with few side effects. The most common side effect is diarrhea. We recommend that you talk to your vet about Chinese herbal formulas before using them to determine if it’s safe for your dog.
Food Therapy
Food can be powerful medicine. Patients with epilepsy have always been advised to eat a high-quality diet that is a high fat and low-carb to help decrease neuron excitability.
You can maximize your dog’s health with supplements like fish oils and prevent seizures. Talk to your vet so he can recommend supplements suited for your dog, and that will contain essential fatty acids. Always talk to the vet before making changes to your dog’s diet.
Forego Salty Treats
Avoid foods and treats that are too salty because they can cause a dog seizure, especially if the dog is on potassium bromide.
Stay Away from the Mouth
There are instances where people rush to barrier the mouth when someone is having a seizure. During a fit, your dog can unintentionally bite you. There is no reason to put anything in their mouth because they can’t swallow their tongue.
The most crucial thing you can do if your dog is suffering from seizures is to talk to the vet every time seizures happens and get their advice. Seizures are serious medical issues, and you need to get your canine companion treated as soon as possible.
You can learn one more tip to use the essential oil for dogs at Health canal.
Author Bio:
| Keith J. Myers is the Founder & Editor in Chief of Health Canal. He has overseen and directed the editorial growth and skill of this website since 2012. Before creating Health Canal, Keith was a writer and editor who covered topics in CBD, health, science, and wellness. His personal commitment to helping people naturally and safely improve their health has driven Health Canal to commit to quality and consumer transparency. |