Possible Causes of Seizures in Dogs

A number of factors may contribute to seizures in dogs. External contributors, such as toxins, as well as internal health conditions and injuries can lead to these seizures.

  1. Definition

    • A seizure is defined as "abnormal electric discharges in the brain." Seizures in dogs manifest themselves through various physical symptoms such as stiffness, collapse, involuntary muscle movements, vomiting and loss of consciousness. Internal and/or external factors may cause this type of activity.

    External Causes

    • Exposure to toxins can be a culprit in causing seizures in dogs. The following substances are among the common toxins to which dogs may be exposed:
      flea powders, tick repellents, rat poison, insecticides, snail and/or slug bait, chocolate and lead.

      In some instances, a toxin may cause seizures in certain dogs but not in others, depending on the sensitivity of the individual dog.

    Injuries

    • Head injuries can cause seizures in dogs by disrupting electrical activity in the brain. A seizure stemming from head trauma may happen immediately after the event or it may occur after weeks or even months have passed. Another form of injury that can contribute to seizures is a tick bite. Some ticks transmit Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever through their saliva. Both of these diseases may cause seizures.

    Internal Causes

    • Internal medical conditions may lead to seizures in dogs. These conditions include:

      • Epilepsy.
      • Brain tumor.
      • Distemper.
      • Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
      • Hypocalcemia (low calcium).
      • Hypoxia (low blood oxygen levels).
      • Renal (kidney) disease.
      • Liver disease.

    Determining the Cause

    • Due to the large number of possible causes of seizures, a veterinarian is best qualified to isolate the cause of a seizure(s) in a particular dog. The veterinarian may use a variety of medical tests such as blood test and/or a MRI of the brain in order to make such a decision. In the meanwhile, if you observe your dog having a seizure, take the following steps until you can get the animal to your local veterinarian:

      • Remain calm; seizures are rarely fatal.
      • If necessary, move the animal to a safe place in order to reduce the chance of injury.
      • Stay clear of the dog's mouth in order to avoid getting bitten.
      • Make note of what the dog is doing during the seizure and how long the episode lasts so that you can give the veterinarian as much information as possible.