You Can Naturally Support Your Dog Who Suffers from Epileptic Seizures 2025

I'll always remember that morning. I was walking into work as a couple waited impatiently in the parking lot for me to unlock the doors to the veterinary clinic.

They were accompanied by their border collie, who had just recovered from a long epileptic seizure. They were completely scared, shocked by the severe convulsions.

Perhaps this story reminds you of your epileptic dog, or a friend's? This article will shed light on what epilepsy and seizures in dogs really are.

I will explain the causes, types, and symptoms of this condition. Most importantly, I will provide you with solutions and natural treatments.

As always, we'll offer you an all-natural product to help relieve your dog's pain. The professionals at HomeoAnimo ™ have over 20 years of experience in natural care and have developed a product that will help your dog if he or she has seizures.

Read on and you'll have all the tools you need to know what to do if your dog has a seizure.

What is epilepsy in dogs?

First of all, epilepsy is a chronic condition that results in repeated seizures. It is a neurological disorder that usually appears in purebred dogs between the ages of 6 months and 6 years.

What is an epileptic seizure?

Seizures are the result of excessive electrical activity in the cerebral cortex. During a typical seizure, the animal loses consciousness (but not always), collapses, stiffens, and then begins to tremble and move its legs. This is a very frightening, even traumatic, experience for an owner.

Also, there is typically a post-convulsive phase, called the post-ictal phase, which can last from a few minutes to several hours.

This is the classic manifestation of an epileptic seizure, but they can manifest in all sorts of ways. Any involuntary movement of the body is considered a potential epileptic seizure.

Does my dog ​​suffer during a seizure?

Although the experience can be frightening, it is generally believed that dogs do not feel pain during a seizure itself.

However, injuries sustained during a seizure, such as bumping into objects or falling, can cause pain. Hence the importance, as we will mention later, of Clear the area of ​​any objects your pet could injure itself on.

What are the after-effects of an epileptic seizure in dogs?

The after-effects of an epileptic seizure in dogs can vary depending on the severity and frequency of the seizures.

Following a seizure, the animal will usually be exhausted. It may appear disoriented, have difficulty moving, and may even become temporarily blind. These aftereffects usually disappear after the dog has recovered.

In rare cases, if seizures are severe or occur frequently, they can cause permanent brain damage. This can lead to changes in the dog's behavior, personality, or neurological function.

Why do some dogs have epilepsy?

Some dogs have lost the genetic lottery and unfortunately inherited a malformation of a part of the brain, which causes these epileptic seizures.

Indeed, in some cases, epilepsy can be genetic or hereditary, meaning it is passed down from generation to generation. Some purebred dogs, such as the Beagle, Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, and Poodle, are more likely to develop epilepsy, likely due to genetic predispositions.

But if your dog has seizures, he doesn't necessarily have this condition. I'll explain in the following lines.

What causes epilepsy and seizures?

While epilepsy is indeed a genetic disease, epileptic seizures can occur in a completely different context.

Epileptic seizures can be caused by :

• a genetic disease
• a dog brain tumor
• a toxin in the blood
• a metabolic problem
• brain trauma
• an infection

Epileptic Seizures in Senior Dogs

When epileptic seizures appear in old age (over 5 years), the most plausible hypothesis as the cause of the convulsions is unfortunately a brain tumor.

A blood test can then be performed to clarify the diagnosis. If detected quickly, they are often operable, but this can be very costly.

What can trigger an epileptic seizure?

Perhaps you have already heard that people with epilepsy should avoid strobe lights to prevent the occurrence of a seizure?

Certain factors can trigger an epileptic seizure, even in dogs. Here are some of them :

• emotional or physical stress
• lack of sleep
• a metabolic disorder (e.g., kidney problems)
• a missed dose of anticonvulsant medication
• certain medications

What are the symptoms of epilepsy in dogs?

Well, obviously, as you might have guessed, the main symptom that your dog is suffering from epilepsy is the presence of seizures. But let's take a closer look.

There are certain signs to watch for when your dog is epileptic, indicating the impending onset of seizures. These symptoms are actually the first phase of an epileptic seizure. Here are some of them:

• Your dog is licking his lips
• He wanders around the house aimlessly
• He urinates in the house
• He vomits or seems nauseous, salivates a lot
• He seems stressed, agitated (barks, cries, tries to isolate himself, asks for caresses, etc.)

How can I prevent my dog ​​from having seizures?

The best prevention for your dog's seizures is to give him his medication without forgetting, always at the same time and to pay attention to these previous signals.

Avoid stress episodes, ensure a good sleep routine and visit your veterinarian regularly for a health check-up.

What to do if your dog has a seizure?

What to do during a seizure in your dog? The key is to stay calm .

In the event of an imminent seizure, clear the area of ​​any objects your pet could injure itself on. You may even want to place cushions around your pet. You will need to monitor your pet during the seizure.

It might be tempting to try to stick out his tongue to prevent him from choking. But don't do this; his involuntary body movements during the seizure could cause him to bite your hand.

If your veterinarian has prescribed medication to administer in case of a seizure, make sure you have it on hand.

It is important to note the duration of the seizure. You may even want to film it to show your veterinarian.

How to stop a seizure in dogs?

To help the seizure end quickly, it's important to limit the stimuli in your dog's environment. Avoid touching your pet during the seizure, or even talking to him. Turn off the television and lights—in short, you want your pet to be completely calm.

What can I give my dog ​​for seizures?

For cases of primary epilepsy, your veterinarian may prescribe a daily anticonvulsant medication to prevent seizures in your dog. One of the most common treatments is phenobarbital.

In the event of attacks occurring in close succession, a visit to the veterinarian is in order. In some cases, you may be prescribed first aid medication to be administered intrarectally. This medication aims to reduce the duration of the attack and therefore prevent after-effects.

Special diets are also available from the veterinarian for epileptic dogs, which help control the occurrence of seizures.

Natural Treatments for Dogs with Seizures

Read on to learn more about the natural treatments that exist. for dog seizures .

Acupuncture and acupressure

This technique is derived from traditional Chinese medicine. This medicine emphasizes the vital energy that flows harmoniously throughout the body. When this energy is blocked or imbalanced, ailments develop.

Acupuncture is a service offered by some veterinarians, specially trained in this discipline, considered a complementary medicine. To naturally treat canine epilepsy, needles are gently placed at specific points on the animal's body, with the aim of relieving these energy blockages.

These same acupuncture points can be used in acupressure, which consists of gentle pressure with the thumb on these same places.

This type of natural treatment for canine epilepsy will help prevent the onset and reduce the duration of future seizures. This should not be attempted during a seizure, of course.

Giving honey to a dog after a seizure

To naturally treat your dog, some suggest giving him a little honey after his seizure if he's alert. This will help bring his blood sugar levels back to normal.

If the animal does not vomit, is alert and acting normally, a small meal can also be offered to provide protein and ultimately stabilize his blood sugar.

If your dog is small or diabetic, honey is recommended by many as seizures can be caused by hypoglycemia.

A natural homeopathic product for your dog

In any case, we have prepared a natural, simple and formulated alternative for your dog's epileptic seizures.

The ÉpilepsAnimo product is exactly what you need if you want to naturally treat your dog's epileptic seizures.

It has been specially formulated with natural ingredients to manage the symptoms associated with your dog's seizures and epilepsy. It helps rebalance the nervous system and thus helps balance the intensity of his seizures.

It also acts on the liver and kidneys, which are organs linked to convulsive activity in Chinese medicine.

This product calms and nourishes the nerves, especially the vagus nerve, which plays an important role during epileptic seizures.

EpilepsAnimo also contains a hormone that promotes calmness of the body and mind by encouraging positive emotions, which is an important asset in cases of epilepsy.

So, go back and check out the section on the warning symptoms of a seizure because this natural product is an excellent choice when administered at these first signs.

How often will seizures occur in an epileptic dog?

The answer to this question varies greatly from dog to dog, ranging from several times a week to rarely.

That's why your veterinarian will likely suggest keeping a log to track the frequency and duration of your dog's seizures. This will allow them to properly monitor and adjust your pet's medication as their epileptic condition evolves.

How many seizures is considered dangerous for a dog?

Your veterinarian will consider prescribing anticonvulsant medication for your dog if they feel their seizures are too frequent and severe.

To judge, he will rely on these different criteria , among other things:

• If these are grouped epileptic seizures (more than three seizures in less than 24 hours)
• If two or more isolated epileptic seizures occur within 6 months
• If a seizure lasts more than five minutes
• If disorientation following a seizure is severe

Can a dog die from a seizure?

The vast majority of epileptic seizures do not threaten the dog's short-term survival. They could become fatal if underlying health problems eventually worsen the seizure, causing severe brain damage and organ failure. However, these are extremely rare cases.

With proper diagnosis and regular treatment, the majority of dogs with epilepsy can lead normal, healthy lives. So, while these seizures can be distressing for owners, it's important to navigate these difficult times without anticipating the worst.

What is the life expectancy of an epileptic dog?

The life expectancy of an epileptic dog varies depending on many factors, including the severity of the epilepsy, the effectiveness of treatment, the age of the dog at the onset of seizures, and the presence of other health problems.

With proper treatment, a dog with epilepsy can have a life expectancy comparable to that of a healthy dog. However, in more severe cases where seizures are frequent and do not respond well to treatment, life expectancy may be reduced.

Types of Seizures in Dogs

There are several types of epileptic seizures which can be summarized as follows.

Reactive seizures

We speak of reactive epileptic seizures when the brain is intact and the body reacts to an abnormality (intoxication, metabolic problem, infection).

A veterinary examination can usually help find the cause of these seizures and treatment is often possible.

Structural or secondary epileptic seizures

We speak of structural or secondary epileptic seizures when we find a lesion in the dog's brain, causing the appearance of these seizures (head trauma, tumor).

Depending on the nature and extent of the lesion, treatment is sometimes possible.

Primary epileptic seizures

And finally, when there is no apparent cause of the seizures, we speak of primary epileptic seizures. This is when the animal is considered to be epileptic (a genetic disease called canine idiopathic epilepsy).

There is no cure for this disease. However, medication tailored to your pet can help control the frequency and duration of its attacks.

There are also different types of crises in the way they manifest themselves.

Generalized (or grand mal) seizures

These are the most common seizures. These are the classic seizures in which the animal has generalized convulsions throughout the body, its limbs stiffen, and it loses consciousness. Often, the animal will urinate or defecate during this type of seizure.

Focal epileptic seizures (also called local or partial)

These seizures affect only one part of the body. Consciousness is not necessarily altered. For example, we often see a dog having jaw spasms, which give the impression that it is chewing something.

Psychomotor crises

This is a type of focal seizure where the animal has an episode of abnormal behavior, not seizures. It may become very aggressive and not seem to recognize you. It may also appear to be hallucinating something and try to catch imaginary flies.

Conclusion

We wish you the best of luck in treating your pet's seizures. We know it's difficult to watch your companions suffer.

I invite you to comment in the section below to share your experience with us. Does your pet suffer from epilepsy? How long has it been living with this condition?

You can always contact us through our Free Pet Health Referral to discuss the possible causes of your pet's seizures, among other things. We will be happy to help you naturally relieve the underlying condition of your dog's seizures.