First aid for fits/seizures in pets

Overview

• Seizures can be distressing to witness, but remember your pet probably isn’t aware of what is happening to them.
• Stay calm, keep your pet safe then call your vet for advice.

What to do if your pet has a fit

Keep your pet safe

• Stay calm - this is very important.
• Take children and other pets away from the area.
• Clear a space around your pet so they can’t hurt themselves on any furniture or wires.
• If they are high up on a sofa, gently move them down.
• Turn off lights.
• Keep noise to an absolute minimum.
• Keep your pet cool - don’t wrap them up, they can overheat easily during a seizure.

Monitor the seizure

• Time the seizure and make a note of how long it lasts
• If possible, video the seizure to provide valuable clues for your vet.
• Don’t try to restrain your pet - you might accidentally hurt them or they might accidentally hurt you.

Help your pet recover

• Your pet will probably be very dazed and confused once they stop fitting.
• Give them somewhere quiet and comfortable to recover.
• Speak softly and gently to them.
• Your vet will give you more advice about how to help your pet recover.

Call your vet

• Call your vet straight away if your dog has been fitting for more than two minutes or has had more than one seizure in a 24-hour period.
• Otherwise, phone your vet for advice once your dog has finished fitting.
• Your vet may not tell you to bring your pet in right away – it depends on how long their seizure lasted, how many seizures they have had, and other symptoms they are showing.

Seizure information

Your pet’s seizure may have been a one off, or could have been caused by an underlying illness or the start of epilepsy. For more information about seizures in pets, read our articles:

• Seizures in dogs
• Seizures in cats (coming soon).

Published: March 2020