Important
Active seizures, multiple seizures in a short period, or a seizure lasting 3–5 minutes or longer may require emergency veterinary care. A first-time seizure or difficulty recovering afterward also warrants immediate veterinary attention. Contact a veterinarian or emergency hospital immediately.
Overview
Seizures can be frightening to witness. They may occur due to epilepsy, toxins, metabolic issues, or other causes. If a seizure is currently happening, focus on keeping your dog safe from injury. Afterward, note the duration and any pattern. Key rules: a first seizure always warrants immediate veterinary evaluation; a seizure lasting 3–5 minutes or longer is an emergency; two or more seizures in a short period is an emergency; and difficulty recovering normally afterward is an emergency.
Recommended timing
Act now — seek emergency veterinary care immediately if any severe signs above are present.
When emergency veterinary care may be appropriate
- A seizure is currently happening and lasting 3–5 minutes or longer
- Multiple seizures (two or more) in a short period
- Your dog does not seem to recover normally afterward — prolonged confusion, unresponsiveness, or failure to return to baseline
- Difficulty breathing during or after a seizure
- This is your dog's first seizure — contact a veterinarian immediately; do not wait for another seizure
- Suspected toxin exposure
- Your dog is injured during the seizure
What to tell your veterinarian
- How long the seizure lasted
- Whether there were multiple seizures and how close together
- What your dog did before, during, and after (staggering, drooling, urination)
- Any possible toxin, medication, or trauma exposure
- Your dog's seizure history if any
- Breed, age, and current medications
What to have ready
- Your pet's current weight (or a recent estimate)
- List of medications your pet takes
- When symptoms started or when exposure occurred
- Any packaging, labels, or product information (for toxins or foreign objects)
- Photos or videos of symptoms, if safe to capture
- Seizure duration and how many occurred
What not to do
- Do not put your hands near your dog's mouth during a seizure
- Do not try to restrain your dog forcefully
- Do not assume a single brief seizure never needs follow-up
- Do not wait until the next seizure to seek guidance after a first-time event
Learn more from trusted sources
These are educational resources from licensed veterinary organizations and animal poison control experts. Paw Navigator is not affiliated with or endorsed by these third-party sites.