Travel First-Aid Tip for Dogs: Seizures

Introduction

We are placing a series of travel first aid tips for dogs on our website.  These tips were written for the “Canine Companion – Instructions & First-Aid Tips“ that came with the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs by Dr. Brooks Bloomfield of The Doctor’s Office for Pets located in Truckee, California, a well-known, highly-respected veterinarian with over 30 years of superbly practicing veterinary medicine on wildlife and domesticated animals.

There are so many times that we as pet owners long to have a great veterinarian’s advice on-hand 24/7 so that we’re not left with so many questions during stressful situations when something has happened to our beloved pup especially when traveling (doesn’t it always happen that these situations arise on weekends, too, when your veterinarian’s office is closed).

This travel first-aid tip deals with:  Seizures

“Seizures are one of the most common neurological emergencies of dogs.  They can be terrifying to the owner but the dog is not conscious of what is happening. 

Seizures result from many causes including toxicity, electrolyte imbalances, organ disease, cancer, infection, heat stroke, parasitism, and most commonly, epilepsy.  The severity can range from grand mal convulsions to simple repetitive twitches and even staring into space.  Dogs will not swallow their tongues but can remove your finger; don’t put your hand in the mouth of a seizuring dog. 

Move furniture, etc. and out of the way and keep the area darkened if possible.  Gentle talking and stroking often help to shorten a seizure. 

After the seizure, it may take several minutes to an hour for your dog to recover to normal.  Any seizure lasting longer than 10 minutes is an emergency. 

Seizures can raise the body temperature and cause organ and brain damage.  Dogs that have more than two seizures a month are usually treated with medication. 

Report all seizures to your dog’s doctor.”

Note:  References to items or supplies noted in the above instructions were made in reference to the supplies that came in the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs in conjunction with these instructions.

*Image courtesy of Pet Health Network

[pullquote_right]Wishing you and your fur-kids safe and happy travels this summer![/pullquote_right]