Canine Epilepsy

How to Treat a Dog with Epilepsy

Max. D Gray
By Max. D Gray. Updated: February 25, 2021
How to Treat a Dog with Epilepsy

Has your dog been diagnosed with epilepsy? Well, first of all you should consider that the quality of life for your pet will depend largely on following guidelines. As the owner, you are responsible for caring for your pet as it requires and deserves. You should follow their medication strictly, attend vet follow-ups, avoid stress and know how to respond to a seizure. In OneHowTo.com we show you how to treat a dog with epilepsy.

Steps to follow:
1

Cases of epilepsy vary from dog to dog. There are dogs that have frequent attacks but there are others who suffer less frequently. What is common in all epileptic dogs is that, if you always follow the medication prescription without faltering, the symptoms of the disease will be reduced. The treatment of this disease is key to have fewer attacks that are shorter.

Normally a fit usually lasts less than a minute, but with the right intake of prescription drugs these improve in terms of frequency and severity. Note that epilepsy is a lifelong disease and treatment will be taken indefinitely.

How to Treat a Dog with Epilepsy - Step 1
2

If you follow all the advice provided by your vet, your dog will be in much better condition. Check-ups also form an important part of treatment. Throughout the life of your pet, both the number and frequency of seizures vary, hence the importance of regular reviews to check on the state of its health.

It is recommended that blood tests be carried out every six months to control the levels of medication. This is important in avoiding liver damage and keeping the condition in check. These visits to the vet will keep your dog's illness under control, monitored. If there are changes in their condition or if there are more ways to treat their epileptic attacks to improve their welfare, the vet will let you know.

How to Treat a Dog with Epilepsy - Step 2
3

To treat a dog with epilepsy, you should procure a stress-free environment, avoid situations of anxiety and nervousness to reduce the likelihood of your pet suffering seizures. Try not to leave your pet alone too long as separation anxiety is often a powerful trigger. Avoid introducing another pet into the household, long journeys or even moving house.

There are circumstances that can generate stress and cause seizure, so foster a calm and relaxed environment, avoiding any changes as much as possible. It is very important to stay calm when your pet suffers a seizure. Reacting confidently and with peace of mind is fundamental to lower risks and act quickly.

How to Treat a Dog with Epilepsy - Step 3
4

You must know how to react to a seizure of your dog. First and most importantly, you should stay calm, put your dog in an area that is safe where there is no chance of bumping into objects or falling down anywhere. It should be a comfortable and soft surface so that your pet will not suffer injuries during the epileptic episode. You should not stick out their tongue because they could bite down on it by accident.

Once the episode ends, leave it to rest peacefully for it to recover from the convulsion because your pet will most likely be left feeling exhausted. Some veterinarians recommend administering Valium rectally during these episodes to reduce the length of the attack. To administer the drug, follow the instructions from your veterinarian with confidence. Never do so without knowing exactly what you're doing.

How to Treat a Dog with Epilepsy - Step 4

If you want to read similar articles to How to Treat a Dog with Epilepsy, we recommend you visit our Pets category.

Write a comment

What did you think of this article?
1 of 5
How to Treat a Dog with Epilepsy