Introduction

Owners of dogs suffering from seizures live with the constant fear that at some point their pet will have another “episode.” Chronic seizure conditions can be managed with medication, but from time to time a pet may still have a seizure despite medical therapy. There are some conditions that can make a dog more prone to having a seizure, and if your pet has a seizure condition there are some things that you can do to help reduce the seizure events from occurring.

Preventing Seizures

Medication

One of the most effective things a pet owner can do to prevent seizures in their dog is to regularly administer preventive seizure medication. The pills need to be given exactly as prescribed, exactly on the dot. A small change in even an hour can interfere with the delicate balance in the pet’s body and trigger a seizure event.

Environment

High stress levels can exacerbate seizures in dogs who are predisposed to having seizure episodes. While it may be difficult to manage a pet’s environment, it is important to do what you can to keep your pet in as calm an environment as possible. Keep in mind that stress is not always caused by harmful factors. Stress can be caused by a number of things, including play, excitement, fear, new situations and many other causes.

Additional seizure triggers include quick changes in temperature or environment and exposure to strong scents or chemicals. If your pet needs to go outside in cold weather, wrap it in a blanket or put a warm sweater or coat on your pet. In the warm season, try to keep your pet at an even temperature using fans and air conditioning. Reduce quick environmental changes by hiring a pet sitter instead of boarding your pet, and try to use household cleaners with mild scents and natural ingredients.