Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders affecting dogs, with thousands of Australian pet owners navigating its challenges each year. While a diagnosis can be distressing, understanding the symptoms, effects, and available treatments can make a significant difference in managing your dog’s condition and quality of life.
What Is Canine Epilepsy?
Epilepsy in dogs is a neurological disorder characterised by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. It typically stems from abnormal electrical activity in the brain and can be classified into two broad categories:
Idiopathic Epilepsy: Often inherited and the most common form, particularly in breeds like Border Collies, Australian Shepherds (like Jessie, a recent guest at Dogdayz), Beagles, and Labrador Retrievers.
Symptomatic (Secondary) Epilepsy: Caused by underlying issues such as brain tumors, liver disease, or exposure to toxins.
Common Symptoms of Epilepsy in Dogs
Seizures can look different depending on the dog and the type of seizure. Common signs include:
- Sudden collapsing or stiffening
- Muscle twitching or convulsions
- Loss of consciousness
- Drooling, chomping, or tongue chewing
- Paddling motions with the limbs
- Involuntary urination or defecation
- Temporary confusion, disorientation, or restlessness after the seizure
Seizures usually last between 30 seconds and a few minutes. If a seizure lasts more than 5 minutes or your dog has multiple seizures in a short time, it’s considered an emergency.
Care for a dog during a seizure
1. Stay Calm
Your dog is not in pain, even if it looks distressing. Staying calm will help you think clearly and support your dog better.
2. Keep Your Dog Safe
Move furniture and other objects out of the way to prevent injury.
If your dog is near stairs, gently block access or move them to a safer area if you can do so without getting hurt.
Turn off lights or loud sounds if possible—minimising stimulation helps your dog recover more comfortably.
3. Don’t Try to Hold or Restrain Them
Never put your hands near your dog’s mouth—they may unintentionally bite.
Don’t try to stop the seizure physically. Let it run its course while keeping them in a safe space.
4. Time the Seizure
Use your phone or watch to time how long the seizure lasts. This information is very important for your vet.
⏱ If it lasts more than 5 minutes or your dog has multiple seizures in a row without fully recovering, seek immediate veterinary help.
5. Keep Them Cool
Seizures can raise your dog’s body temperature. If it’s a long seizure or cluster, you can place a cool (not cold) damp towel on their paws or belly once it ends.
6. Comfort Them Afterwards
Your dog may be confused, dazed, blind, or unsteady for minutes or even hours after the seizure (this is the postictal phase).
Offer gentle reassurance—speak softly and keep them in a quiet, familiar area until they return to normal.
7. Record What Happened
Afterward, note:
Start and end time
What they were doing before the seizure
Movements or behaviour during and after
Any triggers (lights, stress, food, etc.)
A “seizure diary” is a great tool to help your vet monitor and manage your dog’s condition.
Effects of Epilepsy on Dogs
Living with epilepsy can impact a dog’s physical and emotional well-being, especially if left undiagnosed and untreated. Frequent seizures can lead to brain damage over time and affect memory or behaviour. The postictal phase (the period immediately following a seizure, lasting from minutes to hours, or even days) may cause anxiety or aggression in some dogs. For pet parents, the emotional toll can be just as heavy—watching a beloved pet experience seizures is frightening and can create ongoing stress.
Diagnosing Epilepsy
Veterinarians in Australia will typically conduct a full physical exam, neurological assessment, and blood work to rule out other causes. Advanced diagnostic tools like MRI or CT scans are available at specialist veterinary hospitals for more complex cases. If no other cause is found, a diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy is usually made by exclusion.
Treatment Options Available in Australia
There’s no cure for epilepsy, but the condition can often be managed effectively with medication and lifestyle changes. Common treatment options include:
Anti-Seizure Medications: Drugs such as phenobarbital, potassium bromide, levetiracetam (Keppra), and zonisamide are used to reduce seizure frequency and severity. These medications are widely available through vets and specialist pharmacies in Australia.
Dietary Therapy: Some vets may recommend a ketogenic or medium-chain triglyceride (MCT)-rich diet to help reduce seizures in certain dogs.
CBD Oil (Cannabidiol): While still a developing field, some Australian vets are exploring the potential of CBD for seizure control. However, pet-specific CBD products must be prescribed and compounded legally, as over-the-counter human-grade options may not be safe.
Emergency Treatment: For dogs with cluster seizures or status epilepticus, your vet might provide diazepam (Valium) for at-home emergency use.
Monitoring & Lifestyle Adjustments: Keeping a seizure diary, reducing stress, and maintaining a regular routine can help. Some pet parents use wearable health monitors designed for dogs to detect abnormalities early.
The Importance of a Supportive Vet Team
If your dog is diagnosed with epilepsy, building a good relationship with your vet—or even a veterinary neurologist—is crucial. In Australia, there are numerous veterinary specialists and referral centres, particularly in major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, that offer state-of-the-art neurological care.
While canine epilepsy can’t be cured, it can be managed. With the right treatment, regular veterinary care, and a bit of patience, many dogs with epilepsy live long, happy lives. And they can enjoy holidays with friends at Dogdayz too – all staff are well-trained in both the administration of epilepsy medication and appropriate care during and post-seizure. If you suspect your dog may be having seizures, don’t wait—speak to your vet as soon as possible. Early intervention makes all the difference.
