What Does a Seizure Look Like?

Seizures can appear in many ways. Some pets suddenly collapse, paddle their legs, drool, or lose consciousness. Others might only show brief, subtle episodes, such as staring, trembling, or acting disoriented.

Even a short, single seizure is worth noting. The more information you can provide your veterinary team, including how long it lasted and what it looked like, the better they can assess what’s going on.

What Causes Seizures?

Seizures indicate abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Seizures are not a disease in and of itself but are instead secondary to an underlying disorder. Seizures can be caused by diseases outside the brain or inside the brain. Common categories include:

• Idiopathic Epilepsy (IE):

  This is the most common cause of seizures in dogs and cats. It is thought to be a genetic or hereditary condition causing recurrent seizures. It can occur in any breed of dog/cat, but there are certain breeds that are predisposed to the condition. Seizures usually start occurring between 1-6 years of age, but can start earlier or later in life. There’s no test, including an autopsy, that proves a patient has IE. It is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that we “back into the diagnosis” if there are no identifiable causes of seizures on blood tests, advanced imaging (MRI), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, etc.

• Head Trauma:

  Injury to the skull or brain may lead to seizures immediately or even months or years later.

What Should You Do If Your Pet Has a Seizure?

• Do not reach into your pet’s mouth.

  They are unaware during a seizure and could bite unintentionally. They will not choke on their tongue.

• Time the event.

  Knowing how long it lasts is important. Seizures usually stop themselves, and short/individual seizures aren’t an emergency. However, it IS an emergency if any active seizure activity lasts longer than 5 minutes (status epilepticus)

  or if the patient has 3 or more seizures in 24 hours (cluster seizures.)

Bring your pet to the Mass Vet’s ER immediately if:

• They have 3 or more seizures in a 24-hour period (cluster seizures)

• They have not returned to baseline within 24 hours after seizures or if there are any abnormalities between rounds of seizures.

When to See a Veterinary Neurologist

If your pet has more than one seizure, or if imaging or testing suggests a brain-related cause, a veterinary neurologist can help determine the underlying reason and create a long-term management plan. Our neurology specialists use tools like MRI and spinal fluid analysis to distinguish idiopathic epilepsy from structural or inflammatory brain disease.

Bottom Line

Seizures are always worth investigating. Whether it’s a one-time event or part of an ongoing condition, timely evaluation gives your pet the best chance at stability and comfort. Our Neurology team is here to guide you through diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management every step of the way.

To learn more about our Neurology services or to refer a patient, Click Here!