Though some seizures can occur because of illness, injury or poisoning, the majority is the result of epilepsy. During an epileptic seizure, an "electrical storm" occurs in the brain and first halts and then excites movement in the dog's body.
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Seizures
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A seizure might cause a dog to simply stare off into space for a few seconds, but a tonic-clonic seizure will cause a dog to fall over, go stiff, and then begin to jerk convulsively, sometimes losing bowel and bladder control, frothing at the mouth, or snapping at the air.
Sleep
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According to veterinarian Dennis O'Brien, seizures can occasionally occur when a dog is awake and excited but most commonly manifest when the animal is sleeping and relaxed.
Non-seizures
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If your dog whines, barks, or "runs" in his sleep but is easily wakened, he is dreaming. In a true seizure, a dog goes rigid and then jerks rhythmically but is unconscious and not able to be roused.
Danger Signs
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If your dog experiences a seizure in its sleep that continues for more than five to 10 minutes, has more than two seizures in one day, or has multiple seizures without an intervening recovery period, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Breeds
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Dog breeds that are known to have a predisposition to seizures are Labrador and golden retrievers, German shepherds, beagles, poodles, cocker spaniels, and Irish setters, according to PetPlace.com.
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