Why do dogs have seizures? Muscle cramps in dogs of small and large breeds: causes and treatment. Treating seizures and salivation

Sometimes dogs have convulsive contractions of the muscles of the limbs or the muscular wall of hollow organs (intestines, esophagus). This is a legitimate concern for the owners, since such a situation may indicate a serious health problem for a pet. Speaking of spasms in dogs, we primarily mean involuntary contractions in the abdomen, since cramps in the limbs are a completely different problem (for example, epilepsy is possible). In our case, the animal is hunched over, afraid of sudden movements, and tension is noticeable in the abdominal muscles.

What Causes Spasms in Dogs?

We see only the outer part of the problem - "something with the stomach" (abdominal cavity) and convulsive movements. But the reasons often lie in the internal organs. For example, resection or torsion of the stomach, inflammation of some organs (dry or purulent) may occur. Another common cause is worms. Infectious diseases and mechanical damage are also not excluded.

In general, it is not always possible to quickly establish the cause of spasms. Sometimes they occur after greedy eating food or drinking cold water. This phenomenon can be provoked by poisons, irritating substances that have entered the body - for example, due to the fact that the food is not digested. Spasms often occur in hunting breeds against the background of active loads. However, a professional veterinarian will help you understand the situation, make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment. However, there are some steps you can take on your own.

What are additional symptoms and what will help to make a diagnosis?

Spasms themselves often occur suddenly, and sometimes this symptom just as suddenly disappears. They are usually associated with severe pain. The dog whines, and sometimes takes bizarre poses. There are other symptoms that help to identify the root of the problem. Before calling the veterinary clinic, observe the dog and note which ones observed:

• Enlargement of the abdomen in size.

• Redness of the conjunctiva

• Breathing difficult, hoarse, shallow

With stomach twist the stomach increases sharply in size, the dog breathes heavily, may vomit foam, lose consciousness. Probing and X-rays help to accurately identify such a disease, and in the future you can not do without the intervention of a surgeon. It is more common in large and medium breed dogs.

If the cause of spasms is harmless, then they last a few minutes, and then, after a while, repeat. However, when the attacks come one after another, more serious problems are possible, and often with a fatal outcome. With peritonitis, severe pain shock or rupture of internal organs with bleeding, there is a risk of not even having time to take the animal to the clinic.

What to do with spasms in a dog, how to treat?

Of course, self-treatment of a dog does not always lead to the desired result, because an accurate diagnosis and understanding of the individual characteristics of the dog are needed. Nevertheless, there are some general recommendations and facts that will help you navigate at the initial stage: Particularly difficult situations require surgery.

Why is it often better to call a veterinarian at home? Since it is necessary to determine the condition of the abdominal organs, ultrasound is done, blood and urine tests may be prescribed.

As you can see, with spasms in dogs, immediate action is needed, although not all situations pose a serious threat. It is worth contacting a veterinarian to improve your understanding of the situation and provide more effective assistance.

Seizures in dogs in most cases cause confusion and panic in the owners. The complex of negative neurological signs lasts a few seconds or drags on for 10-15 minutes or more. In severe cases, the animal returns to normal after an hour or more.

What to do if your dog has seizures? Causes and treatment, first aid rules, effective drugs, prevention, predisposition of breeds - these and other nuances are reflected in the article.

Causes

The symptom complex during a seizure is a consequence of the accumulation of an active discharge of nerve impulses in the cerebral cortex. Convulsions are a dangerous sign indicating abnormalities in the body. Even a single case of acute neurological manifestation is a reason to visit a veterinarian.

Convulsive syndrome is a sign not only of epilepsy, as many dog ​​breeders think, but also of other diseases of a different nature. It is dangerous that different parts of the brain are affected. The longer the involuntary muscle contraction lasts, combined with loss of consciousness, salivation, vomiting, the greater the harm to the animal's body.

Factors that increase the risk of developing seizures:

• neurological diseases;
• poisoning with poisons and salts of heavy metals. Intoxication develops in indoor, decorative pets after eating carrion. Negatively affects the body: expired oxidized granulated food, household chemicals, drugs, rat poison, insecticides and acaricides;
• head injury, concussion;
• negative reaction to the introduction of the vaccine;
• improper metabolism: convulsions after childbirth, acute hypoglycemia;
• severe forms of helminthic invasions with acute intoxication of the body;
• involuntary muscle contraction after surgery, combined with fever during the development of the inflammatory process. Sometimes the wrong dose of anesthesia can provoke a dangerous condition;
• infectious diseases with severe symptoms and a sharp increase in temperature: rabies, canine distemper, tetanus, encephalitis.

Veterinarians say: convulsive syndrome often develops in small dogs with significant hypothermia or against the background of heat stroke. Short-haired breeds are at risk.

Are sleep cramps in dogs dangerous or not? The answer depends on the nature of the manifestations and accompanying signs. With a calm sleep of a puppy or an adult dog, during which the animal twitches its paws, but does not wake up and does not whine in pain, you can not worry. With tonic convulsive syndrome, against which the animal wakes up from painful spasms, it is urgent to take the dog to the veterinarian. If the pet not only whimpers in pain, cannot stand on its paws, is poorly oriented in space, combined with convulsions, then there is a high probability of neurological disorders.

Risk factors

Convulsions are a negative syndrome against the background of some chronic diseases and acute conditions. Violation of the transmission of nerve impulses can lead to a sudden loss of consciousness, involuntary muscle contraction, a sharp change in behavior.

The risk of pathological manifestations increases in the following cases:

• genetic predisposition of the breed;
• the owner pays little attention to monitoring the health of the pet;
• the hostess often leaves free access to household chemicals or medicines that the dog can accidentally swallow;
• the animal is weakened, emaciated, does not receive enough food with B vitamins;
• the owner of the dog does not properly treat infectious diseases, helminthic infestations in a four-legged pet;
• against the background of malnutrition and metabolic disorders, severe hepatic pathologies develop;
• a disease has been identified in which muscle tone increases;
• the pet suffers from neurological disorders;
• the animal is kept in poor conditions, often hypothermic;
• an inoperable malignant tumor was found in the brain area.

Breed Predisposition

The risk of seizures is increased in:

• husky;
• labradors;

In males, seizures are recorded more often than in bitches.

Classification

Types of seizures:

• convulsions. Consciousness is preserved, frequent twitches of various parts of the body are noted;
• tonic convulsions in dogs. An agonizing condition with prolonged, painful spasms of muscle tissue. The animal suffers, but there is no quick relief. During tonic convulsions, the dog cannot bend and unbend the limbs, move due to severe pain;
• clonic convulsions. The tone of the extensor muscles sharply increases, the animal loses balance, falls on its side, and cannot stand up. Often there is a loss of consciousness. Muscle tension disappears after half a minute or more, relaxation sets in. Eyes open despite being unconscious.

The nature of convulsive manifestations varies depending on the part of the brain in which the violation is noted. Focal convulsions are accompanied by asymmetric manifestations: confusion, staggering gait, chasing non-existent "midges", howling, aggression for no reason, walking in a circle.

Concomitant symptoms of probable diseases

The development of a convulsive syndrome is often accompanied by additional signs:

• in case of poisoning. Frequent vomiting with or without blood, low temperature, increased salivation. Diarrhea, bloating, a sharp deterioration in well-being, weakness, blood clots in the feces and urine, shortness of breath, frequent heartbeat;
• with rage. A dangerous infection quickly affects parts of the body, convulsive syndrome and paralysis of certain parts of the body were noted already at the first stage of severe pathology. It is important to know the signs of a deadly disease: the dog is foaming at the mouth, the gait is uneven, weight is rapidly decreasing, uncontrolled aggression, excessive salivation, rabies, strabismus;
• with helminthic invasions. Excessive appetite, bloating, constipation, weakness, thinning and hair loss, bad breath from the mouth, adult helminths and larvae in the feces, lethargy;
• postpartum cramps against the background of a sharp loss of calcium in the dog's body (the mineral is excreted with milk). Manifestations: the bitch is not interested in puppies, worries for no reason, poorly oriented in space, then a convulsive syndrome develops, accompanied by pain, limbs tremble, shortness of breath develops, fever, if no action is taken, coma and death of the animal occur;
• hypoglycemia, or a sudden drop in blood sugar. With a hypoglycemic attack, clonic-tonic convulsions, paralysis, trembling of the limbs, apathy, and weakness appear. It is urgent to introduce a glucose solution, otherwise hypoglycemic coma and death occur;
• encephalitis. Simultaneously with convulsions, other signs develop: sharp fluctuations in body temperature, apathy is replaced by aggressiveness, palpation of the neck and head area causes pain, paralysis breaks the dog.

Diagnosis of diseases

The veterinarian appoints a four-legged pet:

• blood analysis;
• bakposev to clarify the type of pathogen;
• encephalogram and tomogram of the brain;
• examination of vomit and saliva in case of suspected acute intoxication;
• special tests to determine neurological status;
• electromyography to determine the tone of muscle tissue.

Treatment

Seizures are not an independent disease, but one of the symptoms of pathologies or the body's reaction to a powerful stimulus. Until the factors that provoke a violation of the transmission of impulses to the brain are eliminated, there is no hope for stopping seizures.

Important! Do not give your dog anticonvulsants before visiting the veterinary clinic. Only after a comprehensive examination, the specialist selects the optimal combination of drugs.

First aid

What not to do:

• panic;
• fuss;
• disturb the dog, lift the animal;
• increase the level of lighting in the room;
• forcefully open closed jaws and try to give an anticonvulsant pill.

How to act correctly:

• call a veterinarian at home;
• do not leave a four-legged pet alone;
• turn off sound sources, dim the lights;
• move away from the dog all sharp, heavy objects about which the animal can get hurt;
• lay the dog on its side, raise its head so that in case of vomiting the animal does not choke;
• spread a diaper or rag under the lower part of the head and in the tail area to absorb saliva, urine or feces with involuntary relaxation of the muscles of the anus and bladder at the end of an attack;
• after the disappearance of muscle tension, the normalization of the dog's condition, give the animal Corvalol (4-5 drops) on the tongue to reduce nervousness;
• pills or injections should not be given unless the dog suffers from chronic pathologies and recurrent seizures, and the owner has a doctor's recommendation in case of seizures. In other cases, you need to wait for the veterinarian until a second attack occurs. If it is impossible to quickly call a specialist at home, you need to urgently take the animal to a veterinary clinic to quickly identify the cause of the problem.

Anticonvulsants

Effective names are selected by the veterinarian. It is impossible to uncontrollably give the dog powerful drugs to eliminate neurological manifestations.

On the page you can find out what laxative can be given to a dog for constipation.

During epileptic seizures and other types of convulsive syndrome, apply:

• Phenazepam,
• Phenotoin,
• diazepam,
• Primidon.

Some drugs are addictive. Not all medicines can be bought at a pharmacy, they are allowed to be used only by specialists in veterinary clinics.

Prevention

There are no specific measures to prevent convulsive syndrome. Spasmodic muscle contraction combined with loss of consciousness, pain, lack of coordination is not a disease, but a sign of a neurological disorder or one of the symptoms of various diseases. It is important to reduce the risk of exposure to negative factors that provoke clonic, tonic and convulsive seizures.

Important:

• protect your pet from head and neck injuries;
• do not keep household chemicals, poisons for rats and mice, insecticides, other substances that cause intoxication of the body in the public domain. The same advice applies to any medication;
• Properly store pelleted and canned food. Loosely closed packaging or oxidation of particles in the air can lead to spoilage of food, poisoning the dog;
• timely and completely treat infectious pathologies;
• to be vaccinated according to the schedule against canine distemper, encephalitis, rabies, tetanus, enteritis;
• when buying a puppy, ask the breeders about the health of the parents;
• take dogs to the veterinarian for regular monitoring of the functioning of the nervous system, especially with a genetic predisposition to the development of convulsive syndrome.

Seizures in a dog are a signal for the owner, which is important to pay attention to in time. After the first attack, it is imperative to examine the animal, find out the cause of the dangerous condition, and prevent the action of factors that provoke the development of a neurological disorder.

Seizures in dogs are not a very pleasant sight, in which involuntary contractions of muscle fibers occur. There are many reasons for seizures. More on this in the next video:

​ Seizures in a dog are an unpleasant and even terrible phenomenon. At this time, the animal falls, begins to shudder all over. In addition, against the background of convulsions, foam may come out of the mouth and loss of consciousness may occur. Convulsions occur precisely at the moment when the owner is not ready for them. Then a lot of questions arise: what to do or how to help your pet?! Let's try to study this topic in detail and understand it from "A to Z".

Seizures in a dog causes, types and treatment

Convulsions are reduction muscles. In veterinary medicine, several varieties are distinguished, which depend on the nature and frequency of muscle contractions.

1. Jerky muscle contraction or convulsions.
2. Slow and prolonged are tonic convulsions.
3. The alternation of contractions and muscle relaxation are clinical convulsions. At first, the dog begins to shudder for a while, and then calms down. The total time of clinical manifestation can be from three minutes to an hour.
4. Seizures accompanied by the presence of foam from the mouth and loss of consciousness is epilepsy.

A cramp is a terrible phenomenon and indicates that your friend was struck by one of diseases, which is worth treating immediately!

What are seizures and how do they manifest?

Neurons that are responsible for motor control become hyperactive, which leads to a convulsive manifestation. The area, nature and degree of damage to the nervous system gives the result in the form of convulsions. Muscle trembling can be different and depend on the time interval. It may appear in the form twitching with one paw. But it can also be in the form of a shudder throughout the body with loss of consciousness and foam flowing from the mouth.

Muscles at this moment contract arbitrarily, and the animal loses control over the body. In many ways, veterinarians call this condition an epileptic seizure, but epilepsy is not always the main cause of seizures.

Seizures last from a few seconds to several minutes. After the attack is over, the animal shakes itself off and regains consciousness. Depending on the underlying cause of the seizure, it can behave differently. Some dogs lie down in bed for several hours. Other animals quickly come to their senses and begin to eat or run greedily. In the event that the attack happened for the first time, then it is worth taking into account that the danger to the life of the animal is minimal, but requires urgent intervention by a veterinarian.

What are seizures in dogs?

Seizures can manifest themselves in different ways, their nature will depend on what they are caused by. There are several types of seizures, between which there are certain differences.

Particular attention should be paid to epileptic seizures in dogs. Seizures in this case are a sign of neurological dysfunction of the brain. The primary development of this disease is due to a genetic disorder. An epileptic seizure may first appear at the age of six months. The secondary development of epilepsy may occur due to the acquisition of another disease that affects the functioning of the nervous system.

Firstly, poisoning toxins or heavy metals.

Secondly, the bite of a poisonous insect.

Thirdly, electric shock.

Fourth, the presence of worms in the dog.

Fifth, traumatic brain injury.

Sixth, malnutrition.

Seventh, liver or kidney disease.

Seventh, diabetes.

Eighth, the lack of minerals and vitamins in the body.

Ninth, metabolic factors, including arrhythmia, cirrhosis, oncological diseases.

Tenth, eclampsia - convulsions that occur in the postpartum period. Calcium deficiency can manifest itself in this way.

Eleventh, the presence of infectious diseases such as toxoplasmosis, distemper or tetanus.

Seizures in dogs can be roughly divided into three stages.

The first is the period when the dog is in anxious condition. She tries to hide from strangers, whines and walks around the corners.

The second - loses consciousness, falls. At this time, the head and paws are convulsed. The dog is breathing heavily.

The third - the epileptic seizure has passed, but the animal behaves restlessly. It wanders and does not orient itself in space.

Each of the attacks lasts for five minutes. The animal cannot recover for half an hour, and sometimes longer. In this case, the answer is clear - you will need to take the dog to the clinic. A convulsively shuddering animal is best covered in a soft and warm blanket or towel. Dog breeds that are at risk are recommended to be protected from stressful situations and avoid overexcitation.

First aid for convulsions in a dog

If your dog has a seizure, the most important thing for the dog is to get him to the vet. In a hospital setting, you can take care of yourself as much as possible and diagnose the cause of seizures. But before that happens, you can help your dog relax the muscles. To do this, you should know some rules for first aid in case of involuntary contraction. muscles.

1. On the surface of the tongue, the dog needs to drip a remedy that can reduce muscle spasm and lead to relaxation. Among these, corvalol, valocordin or valocordin. With intense convulsions, it does not make sense to give medicine to the dog, since the muscles of the mouth will be tense and it will not work to open them.
2. You can take your temperature before going to the clinic. It is recommended to measure body temperature in a calm state, during the interval between convulsions.
3. In order to avoid hitting the floor during convulsions, it is better to hold the animal in your arms or put it on a soft rug. During muscle contractions, the animal can be injured at any time.
4. Convulsive animal recommended to transport covered in a blanket or blanket and hold it tightly.
5. The owner of the dog should carefully examine the condition of the animal. The veterinarian will need to be informed about the nature and duration of the contractions.

Dog Seizure Examination

In order to prescribe treatment for a dog, it is necessary to establish the cause of the seizures. Unfortunately, in this case, it will not work to do with the usual delivery of analysis. A comprehensive examination is required to determine root causes.

Depending on the definition of the primary disease, treatment is prescribed. In some cases, not only therapy in the form of tablets or drops is possible, but also surgical intervention. The latter may be required if the dog is diagnosed with tumors.

What the owner should know about seizures

Whether your dog has seizures or not. Every dog ​​owner should know and remember how attacks of involuntary muscle contraction occur and who can experience them.

Firstly, seizures in a dog up to a year old can be provoked by congenital pathology or inflammatory process. In addition, convulsions can occur as a result of poisoning or metabolic disorders.

Second, dogs under the age of five can be prone to epilepsy.

Thirdly, animals over the age of five years can have serious disorders in the liver, kidneys, endocrine system and cancer.

Fourth, decorative dogs are prone to hypoglycemia, which provokes convulsions in dogs.

Fifth, boys are more likely to get sick epilepsy than girls.

Important: a dog that falls down from convulsions is important to put on its feet, and then take it to the veterinarian. In time, by contacting a veterinary clinic, you can save your dog from a serious illness. Only a doctor, having examined the dog, will be able to put it on its feet and prescribe an effective treatment.

First aid for animal includes.

As soon as the animal calms down, it should be taken to the veterinarian. It is worth noting that in hot weather, decorative dogs are prone to convulsions. Manifestation in the form of muscle contractions is associated with the dog's inability to adapt to weather conditions. In this case, the dog must be taken out into the cold, for example, under an air conditioner or fan and refreshed. Thus, her convulsions will pass faster, and she will not suffer.

You already know how to provide first aid, and what to do if you find cramps too. But the main thing is that a disease detected in a timely manner provides more chances to be cured. Quite often, by self-medicating the dog and doing nothing, we gradually kill it. Convulsions are manifestations of a serious illness that needs to be cured as soon as possible. It is recommended not to hesitate, but to contact a veterinarian for help.

Some dog owners experience seizures. Sometimes involuntary muscle contractions are accompanied by foaming or vomiting. Only a qualified veterinarian can treat an animal.

Muscle contractions are based on the hyperactivity of neurons responsible for the motor control system.

There are the following types of seizures in dogs:

1. Convulsions.
2. Tonic convulsions.
3. Clonic convulsions.

Convulsions are jerky contractions. With tonic convulsions, they are quite long and slow. With clonic convulsions, the muscles are constantly contracting and relaxing.

The greatest danger is epileptic seizures. The pet loses consciousness, his health is gradually deteriorating.

During an epileptic seizure, the dog loses consciousness.

Common provoking factors

The most common causes of seizures include:

• disruption of the heart;
• intoxication;
• tumor growth;
• development of infection;
• metabolic disorders.

Disturbed work of the heart can provoke convulsions.

Metabolic disorders include kidneys, an increase in potassium levels in the blood, and a decrease in the concentration of glucose and calcium.

Risk group: small and large breeds

Seizures in a German Shepherd may indicate congenital epilepsy.

In small breed animals, hypoglycemia is the most common cause of muscle contractions.

German and East European Shepherds, Beagles and Belgian Tervurens seizures indicate the development of congenital or acquired epilepsy.

The German Shepherd is at risk.

Animal age

If the pet is not yet 12 months, then muscle contractions signal either the presence of a hereditary disease, or the course of an inflammatory process. Sometimes this symptom indicates lead poisoning.

If a puppy has seizures, it may be due to heredity.

If convulsions appear in an animal aged 1–5 years, this is often indicative of primary epilepsy.

Seizures in a dog 5–7 years talking about the presence of a cancerous tumor.

Another dangerous cause of muscle contractions in an adult animal is.

postpartum seizures in dogs

The main reason for the appearance of muscle contractions is a sharp decrease in calcium levels in the blood. There is no loss of consciousness during the seizure. But the animal does not react to the owner. This state is very dangerous. Seizures usually recur. This can lead to the death of the animal.

With postpartum seizures, the consciousness of the dog is not lost.

Cramping and foaming at the mouth

If muscle contractions are accompanied by foam, this may indicate:

• animal injury;
• the presence of worms;

If salivation appears after a sedative medication, this may be a reaction of the dog's body to the transferred one. In a healthy animal, this phenomenon is of a single nature. But if the attacks are repeated, then the pathology can be determined by the smell, consistency and shade of the foam.

If opaque saliva has a brownish-yellow color, is distinguished by viscosity and an unpleasant "aroma", it is usually about or. Sometimes this symptom indicates inflammation of the salivary glands.

If the dog's saliva has an unpleasant odor, then this may be the cause of periodontal disease.

If convulsions are combined with vomiting, this most often signals the progression of cancer.

When not to worry!

In small puppies and animals of small, excitable breeds, during sleep there are conditions that look like convulsions from the outside. The dog starts whimpering and yapping, shaking its paws. The facial muscles twitch, sometimes the animal can clang its fangs.

Do not worry if the puppy starts to flinch in his sleep.

If you calm the pet, he calms down and stops shaking. This is a completely normal condition that does not require medical intervention. According to cynologists, at such moments, animals see bad dreams.

Over time, the symptoms of "puppy shaking" disappear. In order to strengthen the nervous system, easily excitable pets are recommended to walk in unfamiliar places.

anxiety symptoms

1. The severity of the symptoms depends on the degree of damage, the nature and area of ​​the NS. In some dogs, only muscle trembling is observed, when only one of the paws twitches. Other animals have frightening seizures.
2. The pet suddenly falls, twitches all over. Foam comes out of the mouth. Muscle contraction is voluntary. Sometimes there is separation of urine.
3. The duration of the seizure is 20 seconds-5 minutes. It stops as suddenly as it starts. The animal rises to its feet, shaking its ears. At the same time, coordination of movements is disturbed, the look becomes cloudy.
4. Some dogs attack water or food after an attack. Other animals sit or lie and look at one point.
5. With eclampsia, seizures are accompanied by an increase in pressure, an increase in temperature. The dog breathes shallowly and frequently. In between bouts of eclampsia, the animal may feel normal.

Some dogs experience extreme thirst after an attack.

But you should not be deceived by the satisfactory condition of the pet.

Diagnosis

To clarify the diagnosis, the veterinarian directs for the passage of:

1. Computed tomography.
2. Ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity.
3. Echocardiography of the heart.
4. X-ray of the chest.

Computed tomography is assigned to the dog to clarify the diagnosis.

In addition, the veterinarian directs for the delivery of both blood. If necessary, a comprehensive examination is prescribed. Sometimes a dog needs a consultation with a neurologist.

At the appointment with the veterinarian, the owner of the dog should describe the seizure in detail.

It is important to know exactly what and when the animal was sick before. You also need to remember what injuries the pet received. Specific signs may appear against the background of a blow to the lower back, back or head.

How can you help your dog with a seizure?

Treatment is prescribed only after the diagnosis is clarified.

In most cases, the dog is prescribed medication. But if the primary cause of seizures is a tumor, then the veterinarian makes a decision regarding surgical intervention.

If the tumor has caused seizures, then surgical intervention is prescribed.

Features of first aid

First of all, you need to provide a sick animal complete rest . It is necessary to curtain the windows, turn off the TV and move the pet to a thick cloth. You don't need to put your dog on the bed.

After seizures, the dog should be kept calm.

Then you need to carefully turn the pet on its right side. This will make it easier for him to breathe. It is important to ensure that the foam flows out of the mouth, otherwise the dog will choke. In order to minimize the risk of traumatic brain injury, a dense cushion should be placed under the animal's head.

You can not bring the animal to life or keep it by force if it wants to leave.

You can not open your jaw and push a spoon between your teeth.

Hind leg cramps

If the dog's hind legs contract, then it should be wrapped in a blanket and taken to the hospital.

If the unconscious animal is convulsing, you must first wait until the attack ends, and then consult a doctor.

What is important to remember

The owner of a sick dog needs to have a notebook in which all attacks will be recorded. The veterinarian should obtain information regarding their:

• gravity;
• duration;
• move.

A veterinarian will need a notebook to record the dog's seizures.

Only in this way the doctor will be able to determine the effectiveness of a particular drug.

Treating seizures and salivation

If muscle contractions are accompanied by copious salivation, then the animal may be given symptomatic treatment.

1. Almagel- 40 minutes before eating and taking other medications.
2. Veracol- up to 1 week
3. No-shpa- up to 3–5 days.
4. Emprobio- up to 1–1.5 weeks.
5. Mezim- 0.25 tab. / 10 days.
6. Nux Vomica- up to 1–1.5 weeks.

The drug Almagel is intended for the treatment of seizures.

Diet

Up to 7 days, the Hills Prescription Diet is prescribed. When the condition of the dog stabilizes, it can be transferred to the usual type of food. The health of the pet must be reported 1 time per day.

In order to stop the risk of new attacks, it is necessary to give those drugs, the concentration of which will remain in the dog's body for a long time. One of the most effective medicines is Phenobarbital. The result should be expected 7 days after the start of application.

Phenobarbilate is an effective drug for the prevention of seizures.

Phenobarbital can contribute to side effects such as drowsiness, nausea, and loss of appetite. If they appear, stop taking the medicine and contact your veterinarian again.

Video about a dog with seizures

It is difficult not to be frightened when the pet suddenly falls and begins to shudder all over. What to do? Where to run? How to help him? First of all, you need to immediately calm down and remember what can be the cause of cramps - involuntary muscle contractions.

Veterinarians distinguish between convulsions (jerky contractions), tonic convulsions (slow, prolonged contractions), clonic convulsions (frequently repeated muscle contractions and relaxation), epileptic seizures (seizures accompanied by loss of consciousness).

The most common causes of seizures in dogs are:

1. Epilepsy. Owners should learn about this disease as early as possible. Read more about it.

2. Metabolic disorders:

• decrease in blood glucose levels;
• a decrease in the level of calcium in the blood (this is how it appears);
• increased levels of potassium in the blood;
• diseases of the kidneys, liver.

3. Infections:

• feline infectious peritonitis;
• toxoplasmosis;
• bacterial and fungal diseases.

4. Infectious inflammation

5. Neoplasms

6. Intoxication

7. Violation of cardiac activity

Of course, if a dog has had seizures, only a veterinarian can make a diagnosis. But it is possible to assume what exactly the animal suffers from, given several features.

Pet age

If the animal is less than a year old, convulsions in a dog most likely indicate a congenital pathology, an inflammatory process (meningitis), a metabolic disorder, poisoning (lead, ethylene glycol, organophosphate). Seizures in dogs at the age of one to five years, it can be a symptom of primary epilepsy, and in pets older than five, it can be a sign of cancer, metabolic disorders (renal or liver failure, pathologies of the endocrine system).

Animal breed

As a rule, in Belgian Tervuren, convulsions give out hereditary or acquired epilepsy. Most small breed dogs have hypoglycemia.

Epilepsy is more common in males than females. To determine the cause of seizures, the animal must be examined. First of all, he will be given a comprehensive blood test at the clinic. If cardiac pathology is suspected, the activity of the cardiovascular system is examined.

Chest x-rays, echocardiography, CT scans, and MRIs are all procedures that may be needed to understand what is causing the seizures. In feline doctors, first of all, they exclude the possibility of infectious diseases - toxoplasmosis, viral peritonitis, leukemia and immunodeficiency.

What to do if your dog has seizures

The dog has fallen and shudders all over. What should the owner do?

First of all, measure the temperature of the dog and try to put a few drops of Volocordin or Corvalol on her tongue. Then call the vet immediately. With an increase in seizures, there is a danger to the pet's life. Therefore, even before you take him to the clinic, seizures may recur, and perhaps this time they will be the last for your pet ...

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