Dogs are not only one of the most loved pets as these animals are often considered as stand-in children by the owners. Due to the close association, it is not surprising for a dog owner to panic at the sight of a hurting pet. No dog owner would ever want to see a dog seize. An owner watching the pet seizing for the first time would be highly stressed as the pet would appear to be suffering from severe pain. The dog owner would naturally want to help the pet but is there a first aid for a seizing dog?
The seizure that the dog has can either be single or repeated. Single seizure is characterized by a short duration that would last in seconds or a few minutes. Both the single seizure and repeated seizure last only in seconds or in a few minutes at the most but repeated seizure would happen one after the other. Both the single seizure and the repeated seizure would have serious effects on the dog but repeated seizure can have more debilitating effect as the dog that has not yet regained consciousness would again succumb to another seizure.
There are two types of repeated seizure – cluster seizure and status epilepticus. The two types of repeated seizure would be very debilitating as the dog would seize again and again. The only difference is that in status epilepticus, the dog would not regain consciousness while the fits are occurring. In cluster seizures, the dog that was revived would again lose consciousness when another seizure occurs. Owners of seizing dogs must take the pet to a veterinary facility at once as the seizing episodes can result to the death of the dog.
The frequency of seizures can be controlled with medications but there is no first aid for this condition. First aid methods are aimed to save the pet from pain, to prevent the pets condition from worsening and more importantly to save the life of the pet. First aid methods would not deliver the desired benefits in a seizing dog thus it would be best to let the seizure run its course.
Keeping the seizing pet comfortable and preventing the pet from being injured would be the owners role. The owner can move the pet to the floor to ensure that it would not fall from heights. Objects that can fall on the dog and cause injuries should be removed as well. The owner should not hug the dog to keep it from trembling as it would be useless. A seizing dog would have no control over its muscles and the pet can accidentally bite the owner. Talking softly to the dog would be more helpful. The owners voice is believed to have a calming effect on the dog.
More about repeated seizures and first aid for dogs at Sarahs Dogs.
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