Pet Seizures

Several years ago, seizures were described by the American Veterinary Association as one of "the most common and perplexing of chronic neurological pet diseases." Despite a wealth of research, some 780,000 dogs were found to have the disease known as epilepsy each year alone.

Epilepsy is repeated episodes of seizures, which can be standalone or may occur in clusters. They can be infrequent, unpredictable, or may occur at more regular intervals.

If you're looking for an emergency vet or full-time veterinarian to treat your pet for seizures, Rush Animal Care, P.C. in Johnston can provide the most comprehensive services.

Pets and Seizure Disorders

Pets and Seizure Disorders

Research has proven that any breed of dog or cat can develop epilepsy. Unfortunately, certain dog breeds are known to have a genetic predisposition to the disease, including the Beagle, Border Collie, Dalmatian, English Springer Spaniel, Golden Retriever, Irish Wolfhound, Labrador Retriever, and Poodle. A common seizure that dogs may get is called a grand mal seizure. This type of seizure occurs when there is an abnormal electrical activity in the dog’s brain and can cause the dog to lose consciousness or convulse.

Cats generally tend to get either generalized seizures or partial seizures. Generalized seizures common symptoms are sudden collapse, loss of vision, twitching, or violet shaking. While partial seizures tend to affect a certain part of the body.

What Can a Veterinarian Do About Seizures?

If you suspect your pet had a seizure, we'll need to perform a physical examination, run blood test, and urine tests. These tests can help rule out problems with the liver, kidneys, electrolytes, and blood sugar levels.

If tests are normal and there are no outside factors involved, such as recent trauma, further diagnostic testing may be recommended. At Rush Animal Care, P.C., we have an in-house lab to ensure that your pet's test results are available as soon as possible.  Occasional seizures are typically less concerning, while those that are more frequent or severe are treated with a greater sense of urgency.

The response to standard care often differs between patients.

Are Seizures in Pets Preventable?

In some cases, seizures may come at any time for pets. Seizures, for the most part, can be detectable. Contact our veterinarians if your pet is experiencing any involuntary twitching or muscle contractions, if your pet is giving a distant gaze, or becomes unconscious.

There are several commonly used medications to control seizures in pets. Some pets will have to take anti-epileptic drugs to control seizures. Our veterinarian can consult with you about treatments options based on your pet needs.

Typically, combination therapy can be used for animals that respond poorly to standard treatment.

If your pet is in need of treatment for seizures and needs to see our emergency vet or if you want to know more information about pet seizures, call Rush Animal Care Clinic, P.C. in Johnston (515) 270-2240.

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Monday
7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Tuesday
7:30 am - 6:30 pm
Wednesday
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Thursday
7:30 am - 6:30 pm
Friday
7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday
8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Sunday
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