What Are the Causes of Sudden Seizures in a Dog?

Seizures are caused by excess or disrupted electrical activity in the brain. This excess activity can be brought on by a number of factors, including genetic predisposition, disease, injury and poisoning. Seizures often come about suddenly with little or no warning and can last anywhere from one to 10 minutes.

  1. Epilepsy

    • Epilepsy is the most common cause of canine seizures. The severity of the condition dictates the intensity and frequency of seizures. Some dogs suffer from regular episodes and are put on anticonvulsive medication by a vet, while other dogs may suffer only one or two seizures in their entire life. Epilepsy is a generic term used to refer to any condition that causes seizures. It can be genetically inherited or caused by disease or injury. If the cause is unknown, it is referred to as idiopathic epilepsy, and if the cause is identified, we call it symptomatic epilepsy.

    Canine Distemper

    • Canine distemper is a highly infectious viral disease that often proves to be fatal, especially if untreated. It affects the respiratory system and nervous system, and symptoms include coughing, vomiting and sudden seizures. It is treatable, but the success of any treatment depends on early identification of the virus.

    Brain Tumor

    • Seizures are often an early sign of a brain tumor, especially in dogs that experience their first seizure early in life. Pressure on parts of the brain caused by the growth of a tumor can cause seizures. Even after surgery the seizures may persist if there was any permanent damage to the brain.

    Lyme Disease

    • Dogs bitten by the deer tick may develop Lyme disease. While seizures are not a common sign or early indicator of Lyme disease, if left untreated, the condition can affect the brain and cause seizures.

    Poisoning

    • Certain toxins can cause convulsive episodes if they get into a dog’s system in sufficient quantity. Lead, often found in rat poison, can cause seizures if ingested. Chemicals found in chocolate can also cause seizures.

    Head Injury

    • Brain trauma can often cause seizures, depending on the location and severity of the injury. Pressure on the brain, caused by skull fracture, can result in longstanding epilepsy. Brain injury caused by skull deformity can also cause a dog to suffer from seizures.