Dog Seizure: What to Do in the First 5 Minutes

1. Do not put your hands near your dog's mouth. Dogs do not swallow their tongues during seizures. You will get bitten.
2. Clear the area around your dog. Move furniture, sharp objects, and anything they could hit. If they are near stairs, gently block the path with a cushion or your body.
3. Note the time. Start a timer on your phone. Seizure duration is the single most important piece of information your vet needs.
4. Do not restrain your dog. Let the seizure run its course. Hold them only if they are in immediate danger of falling off something.
5. Speak calmly. Your dog may not hear you during the seizure, but your calm voice helps during recovery.

If the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, this is status epilepticus. It is a life-threatening emergency. Go to the nearest emergency veterinary clinic immediately.

Focal seizures affect only part of the body: twitching in the face, one limb shaking, or repetitive movements like jaw chomping or fly-biting (snapping at invisible flies). These can be subtle and easy to miss.

Psychomotor seizures cause unusual behavior: staring blankly, compulsive circling, frantic running, or sudden aggression. These are the hardest to identify because they do not look like a traditional seizure.

This phase is normal and not a reason to rush to the emergency vet (unless the seizure lasted more than 5 minutes or another seizure begins).

Your vet will likely recommend blood work, a neurological exam, and possibly an MRI to determine the cause. The earlier a cause is identified, the more effective management will be.

Reference: American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation guidelines on seizure classification and management.

Omelo's clinical observation captures behavioral baseline data that can reveal pre-seizure patterns you might not notice on your own. Changes in sleep, activity, and behavior in the days before a seizure are clinically valuable data points that Omelo tracks longitudinally.