What to Do If Your Dog Has a Grand Mal Seizure

When a dog has a grand mal seizure it can be a horrifying event. This kind of seizure is marked by a dog's muscles stiffening, followed by the dog's legs jerking as if it is running and him chomping his jaw repeatedly. Typically, a grand mal seizure will be accompanied by a dog foaming at the mouth and/or urinating. During the seizure, your dog will get extremely hot. When the seizure is over, your dog's head may twitch for a long time and she will be confused.

During a Grand Mal Seizure:

Stay Calm
Cesar Millan's advice of being calm and assertive with your dog even applies during a seizure. Speaking your dog's name in a clam tone can help him come out of the seizure sooner. Simply repeat his name in a soothing voice. You may notice your dog respond to this right away, coming out of the seizure momentarily.

Avoid Your Dog's Mouth
Dogs rarely swallow their tongues during a seizure. In fact, they are more likely to accidentally bite you if you put your hands near their mouth. Keep hands free of this area during the seizure.

Cool Your Dog Down
Cooling your dog down will not only help him come out of the seizure sooner, but it will also help to prevent brain damage from the heat caused by the hard work his muscles are doing. To cool him down, put cold water or ice on his head or armpits.

Protect Her from Harm
Your dog's jerking motions may cause unexpected accidents to occur, such as falling or hitting her head. Make sure to protect your dog from any sharp corners or hard furniture. If she is near stairs or on your bed, you will want to hold her to keep her from falling.

Watch the Clock
Your veterinarian will want to know how long the seizure lasted for, as this can have an impact on your dog's recovery. Try your best to keep track of the clock so you can give an accurate report.

When your pooch comes out of the seizure:

Bring Her Ice Cream
One of the best things you can give your dog after her episode is ice cream. This will not only cool her down but also restore her glucose levels. It may take a few minutes for her to get back into the present moment and your dog may be unable to walk for a while, so bringing the ice cream to her is a good idea.

Give Water Sparingly
Provide your pooch with a little bit water, as she may be thirsty. Be sure to watch her consumption,however, as drinking too much may result in her throwing it back up.

Continue to Soothe and Protect Him
Stay with your dog for the next few hours, continuing to sooth him, helping him return from the seizure state, and continuing to keep him away from stairs or furniture that may hurt your dog if the grand mal repeats itself.

Clean Up
If your dog has urinated or foamed at the mouth you will want to use a special cleaner to remove any odors. Both the foam and urine can smell surprisingly bad and using a cleaner with enzymes will help to get rid of the scent quicker. This type of cleaner can be found at your local pet store or in the pet or cleaning aisle of your local grocery store.

Make a Vet Appointment
After things calm down, make an appointment with your veterinarian to find out the cause of your pet's seizure. If he has another grand mal seizure during that day, it's highly recommended that you bring your dog to the emergency room or veterinarians' immediately. They will most likely want to keep him for an extended period of time for observation and may start him on medication. A follow-up visit to your vet's may be necessary after his initial visit if a diagnosis is not forthcoming.

The causes of grand mal seizures in dogs vary. She may be epileptic or she may have disorders of the kidney or liver. Other causes include tumors, poisoning, or side effects of medications. Your vet should be able to pinpoint, or at least narrow down, the causes of the seizure after an initial visit. Depending on the results of this visit, your dog may need further diagnostic testing to find the cause for the seizure.

It is important to note that a grand mal seizure is not a death sentence for your pup. Even if he has a serious condition, medications can prolong your his life for a good while. The key is to work with your vet to find the medication that is right for your dog and to continue to offer your pet love and support.