Pre-Ictal Seizures

Watching a pet have a seizure can be scary. Learning the signs of the pre-ictal phase of a seizure will help to warn an owner that a seizure is about to occur and the dog can be moved to a safe location. The pre-ictal phase of a seizure is often ignored and owners often think pets are misbehaving because of the strange behavior that is exhibited during this phase. However, it is important to remain calm and to not punish the animal for behavior that occurs during the pre-ictal phase of a seizure, as they can't control it.

  1. Phases of Seizures

    • There are three phases of a seizure: the pre-ictal, ictal, and post-ictal phases. Each of these phases has distinct symptoms. The pre-ictal phase of a seizure is the preliminary stage, the ictal phase is the active portion of the seizure and the post-ictal phase is the recovery portion.

    Pre-ictal Phase

    • The pre-ictal phase of a seizure is often overlooked and most dog owners don't realize that a seizure is beginning. This phase is the precursor to a full seizure. The pre-ictal phase of a seizure may last for only a moment or up to a few hours. In some cases the seizure will stop after the pre-ictal phase passes.

    Symptoms

    • During the pre-ictal phase of a seizure there are several symptoms that can alert a dog owner that a seizure is under way. The dog will become unresponsive and may stare blankly. Muscles will begin to tremble or twitch and the dog will likely start whining. As the pre-ictal phase of the seizure continues the dog may start to bite and snap at itself or at others. If the dog still has enough control of its muscles it may begin running and pacing in circles.

    Causes of Seizure

    • Seizures are generally caused by a neurological disorder. This can be the result of either head trauma or other health conditions. Epilepsy is a common cause of seizures in dogs and is the least damaging. Other possible causes of seizures are brain tumors or severe diseases such as cancer.

    Prevention

    • Anticonvulsant medication can prevent future seizures. However, it is recommended that this medication isn't started unless a dog is having a seizure at least once every 30 days or the seizures last for more than five minutes. Once anticonvulsant medication is started it needs to be given every 12 to 24 hours and can't be missed. Failure to give the medication on time can cause serious complications.