Canine Seizure Types

Different Ways Seizures Can Look

Just like different puppy breeds have different looks and personalities, seizures can also have different looks! The main ways we group them are based on how much of the brain is involved and what happens to the puppy.

1. Generalized Seizures (The “Grand Mal” Type)

This is often what people think of when they hear the word “seizure.” It’s sometimes called a “Grand Mal” seizure. In this type, the electrical storm affects a large part of the brain.

• What it Looks Like: The puppy usually loses consciousness (they don’t know what’s happening). Their body might become stiff, and then they might start paddling their legs uncontrollably, as if they are running or swimming. They might also jerk or twitch all over. Other things you might see include drooling a lot, chomping with their mouth, peeing, or pooping.
• How Long They Last: These seizures usually last from a few seconds to a few minutes.
• Why it’s Called Generalized: Because the wild electrical activity spreads across a wide area of the brain, affecting the whole body.

Seeing a generalized seizure can be very upsetting because the puppy has no control over what’s happening. It looks dramatic, but remember, the puppy isn’t in pain during the seizure itself because they are usually unconscious.

2. Focal Seizures (The “Partial” Type)

Sometimes, the electrical storm in the brain stays in just one small area. This is called a focal seizure, or sometimes a partial seizure. Because only a small part of the brain is affected, the signs you see might only involve one part of the body or just cause strange behaviors.

Simple Focal Seizures:

• What it Looks Like: These can be really subtle! It might just be twitching in one leg, one side of the face, or even just one ear. The puppy might stay awake and aware of what’s happening around them, or they might seem a little dazed.
• Examples: Flickering eyelids, lip smacking, shaking one paw, turning the head to one side repeatedly.

Complex Focal Seizures:

• What it Looks Like: These are sometimes called “psychomotor” seizures because they often involve strange or unusual behaviors. The puppy might seem partly or fully unaware of what’s happening.
• Examples: Acting scared when nothing is scary, running in circles, biting at the air like catching flies, hiding, uncontrollable chewing, sudden bursts of energy followed by confusion. These behaviors are repetitive and happen without a clear reason.

Focal seizures can be harder to spot than generalized seizures because the signs are less dramatic. It’s easy to mistake them for just weird puppy behavior. If you see your Cavapoo or Beagle puppy doing something strange repeatedly and they seem “zoned out” or confused, it could be a focal seizure.

3. Psychomotor Seizures (Often a Type of Complex Focal Seizure)

We mentioned these under complex focal seizures, but they are worth talking about specifically because the signs are so different from the classic shaking seizure. These seizures affect the part of the brain that controls behavior and emotions.

• What it Looks Like: Instead of shaking, the puppy does odd, repetitive things. This might be chasing their tail obsessively, attacking an imaginary object, growling at nothing, or having sudden fits of barking. They might seem disconnected from their surroundings.
• The Key: The behavior is out of character, repetitive, and the puppy isn’t really responding to you during it.

It’s important to remember that these strange behaviors aren’t your puppy being naughty; they are caused by the electrical storm in their brain.

Sometimes, a focal seizure can spread and turn into a generalized seizure. This is called a “focal onset evolving to bilateral tonic-clonic seizure,” but you can just tell your vet you saw shaking that started in one area and then spread everywhere.

Why Do Seizures Happen?

Figuring out why a puppy has a seizure is like being a detective! There are many possible reasons. Sometimes, the cause is inside the brain itself, and sometimes it’s something happening in the body that affects the brain.

Idiopathic Epilepsy

The most common cause of seizures in dogs, especially in certain purebred and designer breeds, is called Idiopathic Epilepsy. “Idiopathic” is a fancy word that means “we don’t know the exact cause.” Doctors think it’s often something the puppy is born with, passed down from their parents. These seizures usually start when a dog is between 6 months and 6 years old.

It’s like some puppies are just born with a brain that’s more likely to have these electrical storms. Breeds like Beagles, Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds, and Poodles can be more likely to have idiopathic epilepsy, but it can happen in any breed, from a tiny Teacup Chihuahua to a Standard Poodle mix.

Secondary Seizures (Seizures with a Known Cause)

Sometimes, a seizure happens because of another problem in the puppy’s body or because of something they came into contact with. These are called secondary seizures. The electrical storm is caused by something outside the brain’s normal wiring.

Here are some examples of things that can cause secondary seizures:

• Low Blood Sugar: Especially in tiny puppies (Toy or Teacup breeds like Teacup Poodles or Yorkies), their blood sugar can drop too low if they don’t eat enough. This can cause a seizure.
• Toxins or Poisons: If a puppy eats something they shouldn’t, like certain plants, chemicals, or some human foods (like chocolate or xylitol sweetener), it can poison their brain and cause seizures.
• Head Injury: Just like in people, a knock on the head can sometimes cause problems in the brain that lead to seizures.
• Liver or Kidney Problems: If these organs aren’t working right, waste products can build up in the blood and affect the brain.
• Brain Problems: Less commonly, things like a brain tumor, an infection in the brain, or inflammation can cause seizures.
• Heatstroke: Getting too hot can sometimes lead to seizures.

Finding the cause of secondary seizures is important because treating the underlying problem can often stop the seizures from happening again.

What Happens During a Seizure: The Three Acts

A seizure often has three parts, like a play with three acts. Knowing these parts can help you understand what’s happening and explain it to your vet.

Act 1: The Aura (Before the Seizure)

Some dogs show signs that a seizure is coming, minutes or even hours before it happens. This is called the aura. The signs can be different for each dog.

• What it Looks Like: The puppy might seem restless, clingy, scared, or confused. They might whine, shake, or try to hide. Some dogs might lick the air or stare blankly.
• Why it Happens: This is the very beginning of the unusual electrical activity starting in the brain.
• Importance: If you learn to recognize your puppy’s aura, you might have a little warning that a seizure is about to happen.

Act 2: The Ictus (The Seizure Itself)

This is the main event, the actual seizure. This is when you see the signs we talked about, like shaking, paddling, or strange behaviors.

• What it Looks Like: This is the part where the generalized or focal seizure symptoms are happening. The puppy has no control.
• How Long it Lasts: This part usually lasts from a few seconds to a few minutes. It’s really important to time how long the seizure lasts!
• What to Do: Stay calm! Make sure the puppy is safe (move furniture away). Do NOT try to hold them down or put anything in their mouth (they won’t swallow their tongue). Talk to them calmly. Time the seizure from when it starts to when the main activity stops.

Act 3: The Post-Ictus (After the Seizure)

After the seizure stops, the puppy enters the post-ictal phase. Their brain is recovering from the electrical storm, and they will often act strangely for a while.

• What it Looks Like: The puppy might be confused, disoriented, tired, or wobbly. They might wander around aimlessly, bump into things, seem temporarily blind, or act extra hungry or thirsty. They might also seem restless or anxious. This phase can last from a few minutes to several hours.
• Why it Happens: The brain is recovering and resetting after the intense activity.
• What to Do: Keep the puppy safe and comfortable. Don’t bother them too much. They need time to recover. Let them rest and recover at their own pace. Offer them water once they seem alert enough to drink safely.

Understanding these three phases helps you know what to expect and how to support your puppy through the whole event.

What to Do If Your Puppy Has a Seizure

Seeing your puppy have a seizure is frightening, but staying calm is the best thing you can do to help them.

1. Stay Calm: Take a deep breath. Your puppy needs you to be calm.
2. Keep Them Safe: Gently move any furniture or objects away from them so they don’t hurt themselves while shaking or paddling. Don’t try to move the puppy themselves unless they are in immediate danger (like falling down stairs).
3. Time the Seizure: Look at a clock or your phone and note when the seizure starts and when the main shaking or activity stops. How long did it last? This is very important information for the vet.
4. Observe and Remember: Try to notice exactly what happened. Did the shaking start in one leg and spread? Did they lose consciousness? Did they drool, pee, or poop? Did they do strange behaviors like running in circles? What did they act like before and after the seizure? Maybe even take a video on your phone if it’s safe and easy to do (but don’t get too close and don’t put your fingers near their mouth).
5. Keep Kids and Other Pets Away: Make sure everyone gives the puppy space while the seizure is happening and while they are recovering.
6. Call Your Vet: Once the seizure is over and your puppy is recovering, call your veterinarian right away. Tell them what happened, how long it lasted, what it looked like, and how your puppy is acting now.

Your vet is the best person to help you figure out why the seizure happened and what to do next. They might ask you lots of questions and recommend tests to try and find the cause, especially if it’s the first seizure or if they happen often.

Living with a Puppy Who Has Seizures

If your puppy is diagnosed with a condition that causes seizures, like epilepsy, it doesn’t mean they can’t live a wonderful life! Many dogs with seizures live happily with their families.

Your vet might prescribe medication to help control the seizures. Giving the medication exactly as the vet tells you is super important. You’ll also learn to watch for signs, manage their environment to keep them safe during a seizure, and keep track of when the seizures happen (a seizure diary is helpful!).

It might take some time to figure out the best plan for your puppy, but with your love, care, and your vet’s help, you can help manage their condition. Things like sticking to a regular feeding schedule and avoiding triggers (if any are identified) can also help.

Welcoming any Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, French Bulldog, or any puppy coming soon means being ready for anything and providing the best care. Learning about things like seizure types helps you be a super-prepared and loving pet parent.

A Quick Look at Seizure Types

Here’s a simple table to help you remember the main types: