It is not fully understood what causes a dog to have a seizure; however, it is known that heredity can be a factor. Dogs of all sizes and breeds can be affected. Smaller dogs who are predisposed to seizures include Toy Poodles, Dachschunds, Wire Fox Terriers, Miniature Schnauzers, Pugs, Beagles and Cocker Spaniels. A cure is not possible, but steps can be taken to decrease the severity, frequency and duration of the seizures in all types of dogs.
Instructions
Take the dog to the veterinarian to get medical assistance. Follow the doctor's advice, which might include administering anticonvulsants or adding more magnesium to the dog's diet. Doses for small dogs should start off with 10mg.
Keep records of the seizures to give to the veterinarian. To help reduce the number and severity of the convulsions, it is necessary to know how frequent and how bad the seizures have been. Make notations when the dog regained consciousness, urinated or defecated. Also indicate any triggering events that occurred prior to the convulsions such as excessive playing or exercising, fireworks or loud noises.
Provide a healthy diet for your dog. Give the animal a high quality kibble that is free of preservatives that can cause seizures. Do not feed your dog foods that contain high levels of chemical dyes and/or additives.
Give your dog a boost in blood sugar. When your smaller dog regains consciousness, give it one teaspoon of Breyers all natural vanilla ice cream to restore its blood sugar levels. You also need to replace lost energy by giving the dog a handful of its usual dog food, pasta or rice with butter about every hour to keep the blood sugars stable. A seizure might drop blood sugar levels, which can cause more seizures.
Keep your dog's environment free from pollution as much as possible. Floor cleaners, chemicals used on lawns, flea collars and household cleaners can all bring about canine seizures.
Plan ahead. If you believe a seizure is imminent, give the dog about one teaspoon of honey to help lessen its severity. Remain calm to help keep the dog calm. Turn off all noise, sounds and lights. Take the dog to a dark quiet area, hold him, comfort him and reassure him.
Be vigilant about the dog's medications. Make sure your pet gets the correct dosage as prescribed and plan ahead to make sure you don't run out of needed medication. Adjust medications as necessary. If the dog goes for long periods of time without a seizure, the dosages can be lowered. Check with your veterinarian before making this decision.
Exercise your dog. This helps the animal's digestion, muscle development and overall health. A strong body can better carry blood and oxygen to the muscles, burn fat and increase the metabolism. Be careful, however, to provide the appropriate amount of exercise for the dog's age and health.