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Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | 16 years and 7 months old | 13 lbs
Hello, my dog had a seizure last night, she wouldn't stop shaking and when she did she kept crying and breathing hard. She also couldn't walk. She is fine now. She is about to turn 17 in November. Can this be due to old age or could she be sick?
2 Answers

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on June 28th, 2017
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on January 18th, 2018
From your description of Dudley's symptoms, it sounds like seizures to me as well and dogs aren't necessarily always groggy afterwards. In a senior dog, I would be concerned it's a sign of something serious such as a tumor (brain or insulinoma for example), and I do recommend a visit to the vet for a physical exam, geriatric blood panel, and urinalysis to start. Should he have another one of those episodes before you get a chance to take him into the vet, video it and I can give you some tips to handle it.
If Dudley 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 would make an appointment for him in the next couple of days. Good luck, I hope this help!
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