Written by Dr Megan Rowles 

Seizures can affect pets of any age and are a distressing sight. Your dog or cat is suddenly lying on the ground treading water, chomping their jaws, stretching out their limbs or hitting their tail. Many will go to the toilet on themselves and yes, sadly, on your lovely living room carpet.

 What should you do? To start with, here is what not to do. Please DO NOT put your hands anywhere near your pet’s mouth. The old myth that Fido can swallow his tongue is not true and you could easily be bitten. Do not call Fluffy’s name or try to shake her out of it, this will stimulate her brain and may make the seizure worse. Instead check she is safe. Not about to fall off a deck or couch, or into a pool. If you must move them, use a thick blanket or towel to protect yourself and to cushion them.

 Remember, stay away from the biting and scratching bits as your pet does not know what they are doing!

 If possible make the area around them dark, calm and quiet, as though you were trying to get them to sleep. Watch the clock and stay nearby. Most seizures will not last long. They only cause harm if pets hurt themselves during the seizure.  If the attack lasts longer than a few minutes or they have repeated seizures in a short space of time- call your vet immediately for help. While it may feel like a million years, the seizure will often pass quickly and though dazed, your pet will be unharmed.  

 The next step: take deep breath and call the vet to arrange a visit as soon as possible.

 Seizures can be caused by many things, from toxins to epilepsy, diabetes to head trauma, liver disease to strokes. The vet will give anti-convulsion medication if needed, do a thorough physical and neurological examination and run some blood tests. Other tests may be required to determine the exact problem, such as ultrasound or MRI. The good news is that many causes of seizures can be treated, so be sure to seek out help.