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My dog keeps having short seizures. Is this a vet emergency?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | English Springer Spaniel | Male | neutered | 7 years and 9 months old

My Springer Spaniel is 8 years old. In his lifetime he has had approximately 6 seizures spread over the years! Each seizure lasts about 40 seconds and results in him losing control of his legs and shaking! Afterwards he is fine. Would this be classed as an emergency for a vet visit (during lockdown, it's hard to get an appointment)

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on June 5th, 2020

Poor Dex. Any seizure should be checked out by a vet, as they are not normal. I would get him an appointment to get this checked out as soon as you can. If he seizures again before you can seek vet care:
- Don't put your hands near his mouth
- Keep some rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle to spray on the pads of the feet for cooling
- Monitor him at all times during the seizure to ensure that he cannot hurt himself by crashing into furniture, etc
- If the seizure continues for more than 5 minutes, seek emergency care immediately

I hope this helps!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA
Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer
Published on November 10th, 2017
I'm sorry to hear that Max is having seizures! It's hard to say what might be causing this without being able to examine him and run some tests. Occasional seizures can be caused by idiopathic epilepsy, exposure to something toxic, or a neurologic disease such as a brain tumor or meningitis.

I would recommend taking Max to the vet for a check-up. Your veterinarian can do a full neurologic exam and may also recommend lab work or other testing to help diagnose the problem. In most cases, seizures can be controlled with medication, or by treating the underlying cause if there is one.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM
Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident
Published on July 4th, 2019
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Seizures can occur due to many reasons that go from a toxicity, metabolic diseases, inflammatory diseases and even tumors. I highly recommend that you have Suger evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible for further assessment and treatment. Diagnostics that will be recommended will include bloodwork and advanced imaging such as an MRI. They would also be able to start him on anti-seizure medications to try to avoid the onset of more seizures. Good luck and have a good night! Hoping for a speedy recovery!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My dog had a seizure. What to do when I can't get to an emergency vet?

Poor Dix! Don't panic.... if you can't make it to a veterinarian it's ok. What a vet can do is to help relax Dix with injectable intravenous medications like Valium, but there is no way to prevent the brain activity that causes seizures in the first place. If you can schedule an appointment with a vet in the near future for a basic exam and bloodwork then do so to rule out any metabolic disease like liver problems. Then your vet can decide if an anti-epileptic medication like phenobarbital will help stop future seizures. Hope that helps!

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Why is my dog foaming, shaking, and acting like he had a seizure?

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. If you feel that Dexter may have had a seizure last night, I would have him evaluated by a veterinarian at their next available appointment. There are many causes of seizures including low blood sugar, liver disease such as a shunt, kidney disease, and disease within the cranium or cerebrospinal fluid. Your veterinarian can perform an exam on Dexter and best localize the problem. He/she may recommend bloodwork to help understand what may have happened to Dexter. I hope this is helpful!

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From your description, it does sound like Omega has had a seizure. I would have him seen by a vet first thing in the morning for this. If your dog seizures again before you can seek vet care: - Don't put your hands near his mouth - Keep some rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle to spray on the pads of the feet for cooling - Monitor him at all times during the seizure to ensure that he cannot hurt himself by crashing into furniture, etc - If the seizure continues for more than 5 minutes, seek emergency care immediately Best of luck, I hope this helps!

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Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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