Dog or cat having a seizure (fitting)

Recognise the signs

• Sudden collapse, often on the side, with stiff legs
• Paddling or running movements of the legs
• Champing of the jaws, drooling, foaming at the mouth
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Glassy, unresponsive eyes during the event
• Confusion, blindness, or pacing for minutes to hours afterwards

First aid steps

1. Move furniture and obstacles away from the pet — do not move the pet itself unless they are in danger.
2. Time the seizure from the moment it starts — note start and end times.
3. Dim lights, turn off TV, and keep voices low.
4. Stay nearby but do not restrain or pin the pet down.
5. Once the seizure ends, speak gently and let them recover in a quiet, dim space.

While transporting to the vet

• Wait for the seizure to fully end before lifting if possible.
• Use a blanket or towel as a stretcher for larger pets.
• Keep the carrier or boot dim and quiet — bright light can re-trigger.
• Drive smoothly; have a passenger ride with the pet if possible.

Signs that can usually wait for a routine appointment

• A single brief seizure (under 2 minutes) in a known epileptic with full recovery — phone vet within 24 hours for review.

Common causes

• Idiopathic epilepsy (most common in dogs aged 1–5)
• Liver disease
• Low blood sugar (especially toy breeds, puppies, diabetics)
• Poisoning (slug pellets, permethrin in cats, antifreeze)
• Brain tumour (more common in older pets)
• Head trauma
• Heat stroke

What the vet will need to know

• Exact start and end time of the seizure
• Description of movements (one limb, all limbs, side, head)
• Was the pet conscious or unconscious?
• Any known toxins, recent medication changes, or head injury
• Time of last meal (low blood sugar a possibility?)
• Any previous seizures — frequency and last episode
• Video of the seizure if you can take one safely

Aftercare

• Allow several hours of quiet recovery — pacing, blindness and confusion are normal post-ictal.
• Offer water once fully alert; food only after 30–60 minutes.
• Keep a seizure diary: date, duration, possible triggers, recovery time.
• Follow vet's plan on diagnostics (bloods, MRI) and any anti-epileptic medication.

Prevention

• Once epilepsy is diagnosed, give medication exactly as prescribed — never stop suddenly.
• Avoid known triggers where identified.
• Keep all toxins (slug pellets, rodenticide) out of reach.
• Annual blood tests for diabetic, liver-affected, or epileptic pets.

Breed-specific notes

• Higher epilepsy incidence: Border Collie, Labrador, Golden Retriever, Beagle, Boxer, Cocker Spaniel, German Shepherd.

Frequently asked questions

Related topics

• Dog or cat that has collapsed
• Dog with low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)
• Cat exposed to permethrin (dog flea spot-on)