Dog First Aid – Single seizure
A dog owner would be very frightened if the active and seemingly healthy pet would topple down and make pedaling motions with its legs. It would not be surprising a for a pet parent to panic upon seeing the seizing pet especially if it is the first time. Dog owners that have been exposed to the seizing episodes of the pet would know that rushing to help a seizing dog would be dangerous.
The best thing a dog owner can do when the pet seizes is to keep calm. Remaining unaffected while the pet appears to be in agony would be very difficult. To be able to help the seizing pet, a dog owner has to understand the reasons why a dog would seize and the effects of the condition on the pet.
A seizure occurs when an abnormal activity in the brain that cannot be handled by the dog occurs. Various ailments can cause the abnormal activity of the brain. Ingestion of toxic substances or an accident that causes the brain to swell are some of the conditions that would trigger a seizure. The pet can suffer from single episode of seizure or from cluster or repeated seizures. Repeated seizure is characterized by the occurrence of multiple or several occurrences of seizures in a single episode. A single seizure usually lasts in seconds or in a few minutes and the dog would not have another episode for the rest of the day. Single seizure may not be as severe as repeated seizure but the dog would still benefit from a vet’s attention. As single seizures only last for a few minutes, the pet would have fully recovered when seen by the vet.
As mentioned, the duration of a single seizure is very short thus the dog’s seizing episode is allowed to run its course. A first aid measure that will shorten the episode is not really necessary. Single seizure practically has no first aid but the dog owner can certainly do something to help the pet.
The dog owner has to remain calm to be of more help in preventing the dog from causing itself harm. The owner has to move the pet away from the stairs. Objects that can be dislodged because of the dog’s trashing must be removed as well. Seizing dogs would appear to be in immense pain but actually they are not thus there will be no need to pet or to hug the pet as the disoriented dog can bite. Talking softly to the pet would be a better idea as the master’s voice can help calm the pet .
Learn more about single seizure as well as first aid for dogs at Sarah’s Dogs.
