Responding to Pet Illness and Epileptic Seizures

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Published on 19 July 2024

Epilepsy is not only a human condition. It is also a pet illness that can be very frightening if it happens to your dog or cat. The effects of epilepsy are traumatic both for you and your pet. This disease, also known as idiopathic epilepsy (meaning no identifiable cause), has no cure. However, knowing how to manage your pet’s epilepsy can help them live a peaceful life.

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a brain disease that is more common in dogs than cats and usually occurs before the animal reaches eight. Abnormal electrical activity in the brain causes epilepsy. The main symptom is recurrent seizures – sudden, uncontrollable movements or convulsions.

Research has shown that the cause of this pet illness is primarily genetic. However, it has not yet been possible to distinguish which genes cause dog epilepsy and cat epilepsy, which is why it remains incurable.

Good to know

There is some evidence to show that hyperthyroid disease in cats can cause cat seizures. This happens when the cat has an overactive thyroid gland, and the body cannot deliver enough oxygen and glucose to the brain.

Epilepsy treatment for pets

If you suspect your dog or cat has epilepsy it is essential that a vet makes a diagnosis. They will do various tests such as:

Blood test
Scan
Spinal fluid assessment

If these tests show pet epilepsy the vet will recommend the most appropriate medication.

The medication will not prevent further seizures. But it will reduce the frequency and severity of the seizures. This is why it is important to know what to do when a seizure occurs.

Good to know

You may have heard of a pet illness called cat fever disease. This is a human disease caused by a cat scratching the skin. It can be serious and one of the symptoms is seizures.

How to manage pet seizures

Any pet illness is worrying. When your beloved dog or cat has a seizure, especially the first time, it can be terrifying. Knowing how to deal with the situation is key to helping your pet through a seizure. Follow the below advice:

Remain calm and act quickly. Pets are sensitive to emotions and if you panic this could cause distress for the dog or cat.
It is important not to restrain the animal during a seizure as this could cause injury.
Gently place their head on a blanket or cushion to protect it.
Comfort your pet during the seizure by talking to them and stroking them gently.
Note how long the seizure lasts and its severity. If it lasts longer than 5 minutes or your pet has repeated seizures contact your vet immediately.
Once the seizure has subsided soothe them and sit in a quiet place with them as they may be disorientated for a while.

Caring for your pet with epilepsy

Signs of a seizure

One of the key factors when you have a pet with epilepsy is to know the warning signs. Anyone who cares for your pet should also be made aware of the signs and understand how to deal with a seizure.

The main signs of seizures in dogs and cats are:

Confusion – your pet may also be anxious and restless
Going to a quiet place such as their bed or a dark area
Shaking uncontrollably
Urinating or defecating indoors

If you see these symptoms stay calm and be prepared to help your pet through the seizure. Ask other people to leave the room, keep things quiet, and dim the lights. This will help your pet feel safe and secure.

A healthy diet

All pets should have a healthy diet. Diet is especially important in helping manage pet illness. Only give your pet food that is suitable for them. Do not give them human food. Stick to a regimented diet and don´t change their feeding routine as this could interfere with the medication.

Giving your dog or cat products containing Lactium® can be beneficial. Lactium® is a completely natural, milk-derived product that has soothing properties. It does not have any side effects and can help calm your pet in a stressful situation.

Avoiding triggers

As a pet owner, you should also be aware of cat and dog seizure triggers. Even if your pet does not have epilepsy certain triggers can cause a seizure including:

Foods that are not suitable for animals, such as spices
Vaccinations
Toxic plants and herbs
Poisonous substances
Extreme heat or cold
Insect stings
Flashing lights
Loud noises
Household products containing toxic chemicals

Extreme anxiety can also trigger a pet seizure, for example, during a thunderstorm or when fireworks go off. Lactium® can help your pet feel calmer when faced with a stressful situation.

Conclusion

Every pet is different and if they are prone to seizures their response will vary. As a loving pet parent, your role is to help and support them during this experience and do all you can to manage their epilepsy.

Want to find out more about how Lactium® can help you manage pet illness? Contact us for more information.