Watching your pet have a seizure can be terrifying. At TrueCare for Pets Los Angeles, we treat seizure emergencies with urgency and expertise and help pet owners understand when to take action. Here's what you need to know.
When is a seizure an emergency?
Not all seizures require immediate emergency care. But you should seek help immediately if your pet:
- Has a seizure lasting longer than 2 minutes
- Has multiple seizures in a short time (cluster seizures)
- Doesn’t recover quickly after the episode
- Has trouble breathing or collapses
- Is a young pet experiencing their first seizure
- Has a known condition (like epilepsy) but worsens
How TrueCare for Pets Los Angeles can help.
Our emergency team is available 24/7. We may recommend:
- Bloodwork and toxin screening
- Neurological evaluation
- Imaging (MRI/CT)
- Anti-seizure medications
- Hospitalization for monitoring if seizures recur
Pet seizures and emergency care at TrueCare for Pets Los Angeles - FAQ.
A single short seizure may not require immediate emergency care, but some situations do. Seek emergency help right away if the seizure lasts more than two minutes, if your pet has more than one seizure in a short period of time, if recovery takes longer than usual, or if your pet is struggling to breathe or loses consciousness. First-time seizures in young pets and worsening episodes in pets with known conditions like epilepsy also require urgent attention.
Seizures in pets can result from a wide range of medical issues. Common causes include epilepsy, traumatic injury to the head, exposure to toxins such as chocolate, marijuana, or human medications, and diseases affecting the liver or kidneys. Other possible triggers include brain tumors, infections of the nervous system, and dangerously low blood sugar, especially in small dogs and puppies. Identifying the cause is crucial to prevent future episodes.
If your pet has a seizure, stay calm and focus on keeping the environment safe. Move nearby furniture or objects to prevent injury, and avoid placing anything in their mouth. Do not try to restrain them. If you can, time the duration of the episode. Once it is safe to do so, contact an emergency veterinarian or bring your pet in for evaluation.
At TrueCare for Pets in Los Angeles, we use advanced diagnostics to uncover the underlying cause of seizures. This often includes blood tests, screening for toxins, and neurological assessments. Imaging tools like MRI or CT scans may be used to evaluate the brain. Depending on the diagnosis, we may prescribe anti-seizure medications or recommend hospitalization for close observation if additional seizures are likely.
Yes. Many pets with conditions like epilepsy can live normal lives with the right treatment plan. Our team at TrueCare for Pets works closely with you to monitor your pet’s progress and adjust medications as needed. Prompt emergency care can help prevent serious complications and guide future care decisions.
Yes. Our hospital in Los Angeles is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our emergency team is trained to handle urgent neurological events like seizures and will act quickly to assess your pet and begin appropriate treatment.
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