By: Dr. Juli, DVM @itsdrjuli
Nothing compares to the loyal, unconditional love of a dog. Our four-legged best friends provide us with wagging tails and slobbery kisses, and they are the best exercise partners and office companions. Like people, dogs require good nutrition, exercise, and regular checkups to ensure they remain healthy until their gray muzzle years. However, the curious nature of dogs may get them into trouble if they accidentally ingest a pet-toxic food or other dangerous household items. Seizures are a common clinical sign of poisoning in pets and may be the first clue that your dog has been exposed to a toxin.
Observing your dog experiencing a seizure can feel like an eternity for pet owners. However, these temporary, involuntary disturbances of normal brain function are typically over in less than one minute. In most cases, a dog seizure is accompanied by uncontrolled muscle activity, but it may be limited to a single body part, such as an ear twitch, or a single leg movement. Take the following steps if your dog suddenly experiences a seizure:
Most pet owners are familiar with the common seizure signs, which include muscle tremors or whole body shaking. However, subtle signs may also be present prior to your dog exhibiting more obvious seizure activity. Following a toxin exposure, a dog who has been poisoned may become anxious, clingy, unsteady, or confused. This pre-seizure, or pre-ictal, phase is the first clue that your dog is having a seizure. Recognizing seizure phases and signs will allow you to prepare and help prevent injury to you and your pet. Dog seizures include the following three phases:
Post-ictal – This phase is the period immediately after a seizure, and your dog may appear confused, disoriented, or restless.
Additionally, common toxin poisoning seizure signs may include:
There are numerous underlying causes of seizures in dogs, and some causes may be a result of an underlying genetic abnormality. Common seizure categories in dogs include:
It can be hard to resist your pet’s longing eyes when you are enjoying a sweet chocolate treat or a delicious salty snack. But sharing your plate with your pet can lead to gastrointestinal (GI) distress or accidental poisoning. Chocolate is a common culprit for food-induced seizures in pets. In fact, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) receives more than 70 calls daily concerning chocolate toxicity, and more than 13% of calls are food-related toxicities. Pets are unable to easily metabolize the theobromine and caffeine chemicals that are present in chocolate; and dark, bitter chocolates, like baker’s chocolate, contain higher amounts of these dog-toxic chemicals. Additional chocolate toxicity clinical signs may include heart arrhythmias, agitation, and tremors. Other common seizure-inducing foods include:
It may be tempting to give your dog a pain reliever when they injure their paw or accidentally hurt their leg chasing after a pesky squirrel. However, never treat your pet’s pain or discomfort with any medications unless advised to by your family veterinarian. Many over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications are the culprits for unexpected emergency veterinary visits, and in 2020 the APCC reported that more than 17% of calls were attributed to OTC medications. Common medications which can cause seizures in dogs include:
Many popular ornamental plants, flowers, and fungi are dangerous when ingested by dogs. Always check the APCC plant list to ensure any plant you are adding to your home or garden is safe to have around your dog. Additionally, fertilizers, especially organic fertilizers, can be irresistible to pets, but many contain herbicides or soil enhancements that are dangerous. Toxicity severity will depend on the amount and type of plant consumed. Seek immediate veterinary care if your dog ingests any toxic plants, which include:
Many pet owners are faced with the burden of unwanted houseguests, like insects and rodents. These pests often seek shelter in your home and enjoy sharing your pet’s leftover food or using your prized vegetable garden as their personal buffet. It can be tempting to take matters into your own hands (or paw) by placing commercially available pesticides around your home or garden. However, many popular pesticides and rodent baits contain ingredients that are equally appealing and potentially fatal to dogs. Always consult with a pest control professional before using any commercially available baits or poisons around your dog. Your furry pal is also at risk for seizures if they ingest these popular pest control chemicals, including:
The recent pandemic has led to many people switching to a permanent home office, and dogs rejoiced when their owners no longer had to depart each morning for work. The additional time at home has also sparked many homeowners to embark on various home improvement projects, along with enhanced cleaning practices. However, exposure to popular cleaning and home improvement products can put your dog at risk for seizures. Ensure your dog does not have exposure to the following:
Keeping any toxic foods, medications, plants, and household items out of paws' reach is the most important method of preventing a toxin-induced seizure in your dog. Additionally, pets who suffer from anxiety or boredom may have an increased tendency to inappropriately sample dangerous household products or plants. Reducing your pet’s anxiety by including Native Pet’s Calm Chews into their daily nutrition can help promote normal brain activity, and reduce anxiety-related chewing. Other prevention tips include:
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