How Many Seizures Can a Dog Have Before It Dies?

More than 80% of human DNA is the same as that of dogs. Both species have the same cell types, organs, symptoms, and diseases, including seizures.

Seizures are abnormal electrical stimuli that disrupt the normal function of the brain, which sometimes lead to temporary blindness and permanent brain damage.

Unless you are a doctor or watch “Grey’s Anatomy” repeatedly, you will probably get scared if your dog suddenly starts shaking, unusually moving its limbs, drooling, and urinating everywhere.

Here is what every pet parent should know about the recognition, causes, treatment, and complications of seizures.

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What Causes Seizures?

Regarding localization, we recognize two types of seizure activity – generalized and focal seizures. Their common causes are intracranial – they originate from the inside of the brain. Some of them are:

Congenital Defects
Infectious Agents
Autoimmune Diseases
Cancer
Degenerative Diseases
Stroke
Physical Trauma/Brain Trauma

No matter the cause, bear in mind that you should be especially careful because too many seizures can lead to a life-threatening condition that will disturb the normal brain function.

Brain tumors

One of the most frequent reasons for seizures in older dogs is brain tumors. As tumors enlarge, pressure is applied to the nervous system. Dog’s seizures are brought on by the applied pressure to the nervous system.

A brain tumor is pretty easy to identify. It entails having your dog’s head, and neck scanned with a CT or MRI by your veterinarian. Keep in mind that these procedures are effective but pretty expensive.

The seizure event can also be brought on by more minor frequent brain disorders, including meningitis or head trauma. Antiepileptic drugs, such as those used to treat tumors, can lessen the incidence of convulsions, but the best thing to do is determine the underlying cause.

Of the extracranial diseases, acute and chronic kidney failure, liver disease, and endocrine disorders are worth mentioning.

Low blood sugar

The grand mal seizure is often more possible in older dogs suffering from hypoglycemia. Low blood sugar causes grand mal seizures disorders. Pancreatic cancer in dogs causes the same signs as a hypoglycemic strike.

Blood and urine tests can detect blood glucose problems. In this case, controlling glucose levels with medication is the best way to avoid seizures. Antiseizure prescription drugs would be ineffective in treating a dog with blood glucose issues.

Liver damage

Toxins are taken out of the bloodstream by the liver. Because a damaged liver is unable to do this, poisons start to accumulate in the blood. Toxins in the blood produce a variety of issues with how the brain typically functions once they enter the brain. Dog seizures are caused by these anomalies regarding damaged brain activity.

The amount of seizures a dog has can be decreased with medication for liver illness, but advanced liver disease is typically incurable. This implies that the dog will eventually start having cluster seizures more regularly as the poisons continue to accumulate in the blood.

And sometimes, veterinarians do not know what causes epileptic seizures, so they had to invent a fancy name to justify themselves – idiopathic seizures. In fact, these seizures are very difficult for detecting since idiopathic epilepsy is and inherited disorder.

What Can I Do To Help?

You must visit a veterinarian immediately if the dog has multiple seizures (more than 3) in 24 hours, also known as cluster seizures. Or if they last for more than 5 minutes, without interruption – a dangerous situation when status epilepticus occurs.

Dogs with epilepsy have generalized seizures, where the whole body is included with partial or focal seizures to one side of the body. If you notice that your has more than three seizures in less than 24 hours and elevated body temperature, immediately call your vet, because poor seizure control may lead to an emergency situation.

On the other side, fewer seizures are not a serious problem, and we advise visiting a veterinary neurologist only if your dog has frequent seizures.

To be aware of how many seizures can a dog have before it dies, you should understand that the dogs seizures may lead to high body temperature, damage to the heart, and body muscles, shortness of breath, and suffer irreversible brain damage during prolonged seizure activity. The chance of death in such dogs is 25% higher than in those with short and rare seizures.

Irreversible brain damage is prevented by inserting intravenous anticonvulsants into the patient. This can ONLY be prescribed and done by a professional.

If you already have experience with seizures in dogs or even cluster seizures, you will notice disorientation and shortness of breath before the attack – aura.

Encourage your pet to sit on the ground and provide a safe environment. Place soft pillows and remove all sharp objects, so the dog does not get injured when it falls.
If you wear a collar, ensure it does not attach to any items.
External stimuli – sounds and lights – can worsen the seizure activity, so turn off the lights and keep your dog in a quiet place.
Never try to pull his tongue out of his mouth! You will not succeed because during an attack, the mouth is passively closed. This way, your fingers will get stuck in his mouth; instead of one patient, there will be two.
Write down or remember if prolonged seizures took place and if the dog had more than one seizure. Recording a video might help to inform your vet immediately.

Seizures are not painful for the dog unless it unconsciously hits itself while falling. It will not remember anything after the attack and will be disoriented and sleepy for a few minutes.

Now That It Is Over, Can I Find Out What Caused It?

The first thing a veterinarian will do is ask you in detail about your dog’s medical history. Get ready for CSI investigation 2.0!

The focus of this examination is on previous head injuries or the use of brain-damaging therapy. Urine and blood tests, as well as spinal fluid analysis, will then be done to rule out the extracranial origin, and a heartworm test.

If the above tests are negative, an EEG, CT scan, or MRI may be assigned to look at the brain’s structure in detail. But these tests are only available in developed and specialized veterinary centers. If none of these is pathological – we might assign the diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy.

Remember that some dog breeds are more prone to seizures. So, before adopting Golden Retriever, research everything about the dog breed. These breeds include Border Collies, Labrador Retrievers, Irish Setters, Boxers, Border Terriers, Pugs, etc.

When Should You Start With Therapy?

If you notice anything changed in your dog’s behavior related to seizures and normal brain function, you should seek treatment from a professional.

We have listed some medications if one of the following clinical signs occur:

The dog has more than one seizure a month
The seizures take over the whole body and last very long
One seizure follows the other – a cluster of seizures (multiple seizures).

Anticonvulsant medication

Phenobarbital and potassium bromide are among the most famous anticonvulsant medications for treating prolonged dog seizures.

But keep in mind that once your dog starts using the anticonvulsive medication, you can never go back! Or in other words, if you start giving these medications to your dog, you will have to continue the therapy for the rest of its life.

Many studies show that discontinuation of anticonvulsant therapy leads to strong and recurrent seizures that do not stop independently. They have the same effect even on dogs that have never had a seizure before the treatment.

Cannabidiol oils (CBD oils)

Numerous pet owners have provided testimonials and endorsements describing how CBD has successfully treated canine cluster seizures in situations when traditional treatments have failed. The incidence and severity of seizures have been demonstrated to reduce with regular use.

In consultations with your vet, you can give your pet CBD regularly to lessen the intensity and frequency of seizures. Usually, taking two doses every day will help your dog feel better.

It may be required to experiment and learn the proper dosage and delivery frequency because dosage levels might differ significantly from circumstance to situation. Remember that CBD has no toxicity, and you cannot overdose on it.

Extracts can be administered orally using a dropper bottle, added to food or treats, massaged between the ears or on bare skin, or dropped on an animal’s paw for them to lick off.

Additional farmed CBD products include biscuits, pills, honey infused with CBD, and topical ointments. To give your dog the best chance for natural relief with hemp CBD, ensure the CBD product you purchase has been adequately tested.

Common Misconceptions About Dog Seizures

Almost three out of four dog owners claim they know what causes their dog’s convulsions. These include intense settings, variations in pressure changes, lunar phase, and sleep disruptions. Although caretakers frequently recognize them, external triggers in dog idiopathic epilepsy have not been investigated or shown to arise.
Home cures for post-ictal recovery are yet another subject of misunderstanding. While there is a low risk of negative consequences, there is no proof that using natural remedies like Bach flower or offering vanilla ice cream to dogs after a seizure will be effective.
Despite being a major issue of debate, there is no evidence that these attacks are caused by food intolerance. You don’t have to feed your pet raw food or a grain-free diet.

FAQ:

Are the seizures painful for my dog?

No, during a seizure, your dog is entirely unconscious and doesn’t feel any pain. After the attack, it will not remember anything that happened a few minutes before and will be disoriented. Make sure it doesn’t hit itself on an object while waking up from the seizure.

Will the seizures shorten my dog’s life?

The life expectancy of a dog greatly depends on the therapy used, the length and frequency of the attacks, or even status epilepticus. On average, these dogs have a shorter lifespan – 2.07 to 2.3 years less than dogs without seizures.

Can dogs die from seizures?

Yes, prolonged lethargy is one of the main signs of gradual dying. Lying in one place (typically in a quiet place where they do not usually lie), having no interest in toys or walks, and scarcely noticing family members. Other signs may include incontinence, loss of orientation, complete loss of appetite, etc.

Should I put my dog down if it has seizures?

If the cause of epilepsy is found, it is best to remove it, and the seizures may stop. If they are too frequent, long, and do not respond to therapy – your vet may consider euthanasia. Consult your veterinarian in advance, but at the end of the day – the decision is yours alone.

Summary

With that being said, convulsions are not a death sentence. In order to determine “how many seizures can a dog have before it dies”, you should be aware that there are two situations in which dog seizures may be fatal, and your dog can die from a seizure.

If the seizure attack lasts longer than 5 minutes – when status epilepticus occurs, and if there are more than three attacks in 24 hours – cluster seizures. The right therapy and minimization of risk factors can give the dog a long and healthy life.

If your dog has a seizure or multiple seizures, remember that constant care and a visit to a veterinarian are needed for your puppy to have a normal life.