Dog Seizures: Causes, When to Worry, and When to Seek Care

Seizures in dogs can be frightening to witness and often happen suddenly. They may involve shaking, loss of consciousness, muscle stiffness, or unusual behaviors. While some seizures are brief and may resolve on their own, others can indicate a serious underlying condition that requires immediate attention.

Understanding what a seizure looks like and what might be causing it can help you respond quickly and appropriately.

Common Causes of Seizures in Dogs

Seizures can occur for a variety of reasons, ranging from primary neurologic conditions to systemic illness. Common causes include:

• Idiopathic epilepsy (common in younger dogs)
• Toxin exposure (certain foods, plants, medications, chemicals)
• Head trauma
• Brain tumors or neurologic disease
• Liver disease (such as hepatic encephalopathy)
• Kidney disease
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially in small or young dogs
• Infections affecting the brain or nervous system

In some cases, the exact cause may not be immediately identified.

When Should You Be Concerned?

Any seizure should be taken seriously, but certain situations require urgent or emergency care.

You should seek care immediately if your dog:

• Is experiencing their first seizure
• Has a seizure lasting more than 1–2 minutes
• Has multiple seizures in a short period (cluster seizures)
• Does not fully recover between seizures
• Appears disoriented, weak, or unresponsive afterward
• Has known exposure to toxins
• Is a puppy, senior dog, or has underlying health conditions

If your dog is actively seizing, keep them safe from injury and seek veterinary care as soon as possible.

How We Diagnose Seizures in Dogs

At Nexus Veterinary Urgent Care, we evaluate seizures by determining the potential underlying cause and severity.

Diagnostics may include:

• Thorough physical and neurologic examination
• Bloodwork to assess organ function and metabolic abnormalities
• Toxin screening if exposure is suspected
• Imaging (such as X-rays or referral for advanced imaging)
• Additional testing depending on clinical signs

Our goal is to identify whether the seizure is isolated or part of a larger medical condition.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the cause, frequency, and severity of the seizures.

Common treatments may include:

• Anti-seizure medications
• Emergency medications to stop active seizures
• Treatment of underlying conditions (toxins, metabolic issues, infections)
• Supportive care and monitoring

Dogs with ongoing seizure disorders may require long-term management.

When in Doubt, Give Us a Call

We provide same-day urgent care to help your pet get the care they need as soon as possible in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk. Visit us at 1124 Lynnhaven Parkway, Virginia Beach, VA 23452 or call us at 757-974-8111.