Old Dog Seizures: What to Do During and After a Seizure

A first seizure in an older dog always needs a vet. What to do during a seizure, when it is an emergency, common causes in seniors and how to keep a seizure log.

If your senior dog has a seizure, keep them away from stairs and furniture, keep your hands away from their mouth and time it. The AKC says a seizure lasting 3 minutes or longer, or more than one seizure in 24 hours, needs emergency care. A first seizure in an older dog always deserves a vet visit, because new seizures after about age 6 are more often caused by another problem, such as a brain tumor.

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What a seizure can look like

• Falling onto one side with stiff or paddling legs
• Jaw chomping, drooling, or losing bladder or bowel control
• Staring, or twitching of the face or one leg (a focal seizure)
• Afterward: confusion, wobbliness or restlessness that can last minutes to hours

What to do during a seizure

• Stay calm and note the time it started
• Block stairs and move furniture so your dog cannot fall or hit their head
• Keep your hands away from the mouth; dogs do not swallow their tongue
• Keep other pets and children away
• Do not try to snap your dog out of it with water or patting
• Record a short video if you can
• Afterward, keep the room quiet and dim, and offer water once your dog is steady

When it is an emergency

Situation	What to do
Seizure lasting 3 minutes or longer	Emergency vet now
More than one seizure in 24 hours	Emergency vet now
Dog does not wake up between seizures	Emergency vet now
First seizure ever, dog recovers	Call your vet the same day
Known epileptic, short seizure, normal recovery	Log it and tell your vet

The AKC warns that seizures lasting longer than 5 minutes can push body temperature as high as 105°F and risk organ damage. If your dog is hot afterward, place cool, wet towels on the belly, groin, armpits and neck on the way to the clinic.

Why older dogs start having seizures

• Brain tumors. MSPCA-Angell neurologists call them the most common cause of new neurological signs in older dogs, and seizures are the first sign in about 75% of dogs with a forebrain tumor.
• Epilepsy of unknown cause, found in about a third of dogs over 6 who have seizures
• Stroke
• Problems outside the brain, so your vet will check blood work for liver, kidney and blood sugar trouble

What your vet may do

Blood and urine tests, a neurologic exam and sometimes an MRI, which MSPCA-Angell says pins down the cause in about 90% of cases. Many dogs do well on anti-seizure medicines such as phenobarbital or levetiracetam, and VCA warns that stopping them suddenly can trigger seizures.

Keep a seizure log

Write down the date, time and length of each seizure, what happened just before, how long recovery took and any missed medicine doses. Bring the log and videos to every visit.

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FAQ

Can an old dog die from a seizure?

Most short seizures stop on their own. Seizures that last longer than 5 minutes or come in clusters are emergencies that can cause dangerous overheating, so get care right away.

Should I put something in my dog's mouth during a seizure?

No. Keep hands and objects away from the mouth. You could be bitten, and dogs do not swallow their tongue.

Is a seizure in an old dog a sign of a brain tumor?

It can be, but not always. Epilepsy, stroke and liver or kidney problems are other causes, so your vet will run tests.

How long does a dog take to recover after a seizure?

Many dogs are confused or wobbly for minutes to hours. Call your vet if your dog is not back to normal by the next day.

Sources: AKC: Dog seizures, MSPCA-Angell: When to suspect a brain tumor, VCA: Epilepsy in dogs.

Related guides: Senior dog shaking and acting weird, Old dog vestibular disease, Best dog cameras for seniors.

Educational only, not a substitute for your veterinarian. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

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