My Pet Is Having a Seizure — What Should I Do?
Watching your pet have a seizure is terrifying. The sudden, uncontrolled movements, loss of consciousness, or rigid shaking can look catastrophic — and they demand immediate attention. If your pet is seizing right now or has just had a seizure, call Five Rivers Pet Emergency Hospital at (423) 581-9492 or come directly to our hospital in New Market, TN. We’re here 24/7. Even if the seizure appears to have stopped, your pet needs to be evaluated as soon as possible — seizures can recur, and underlying causes must be identified quickly.
Emergency seizure care and neurological stabilization 24/7
Bloodwork and imaging to find the underlying cause fast
Clear next steps — whether that's treatment, monitoring, or a referral
Compassionate support for pets and their families
Immediate Stabilization
Emergency medications to stop active or recurring seizures on arrival.
Neurological Diagnostics
Bloodwork, imaging, and neurological assessment to identify the cause.
Expert Emergency Team
Emergency professionals trained for seizure and neurological cases.
What to Do During a Seizure
Stay calm — your pet cannot control what’s happening and your focus helps them. Do not put anything in your pet’s mouth. Pets cannot swallow their tongues, and reaching into a seizing animal’s mouth puts you at serious risk of a bite injury.
Protect them from injury by gently moving sharp furniture or hard edges away — but don’t restrain them. Time the seizure from start to finish. Call us immediately at (423) 581-9492 if it lasts more than 2–3 minutes, if multiple seizures occur in a short window, or if your pet doesn’t return to normal awareness within 30 minutes. Come in after any first-time seizure even if it resolved on its own — seizures that appear to stop can recur without warning.
Get Help Now
If your pet is seizing or has just had a seizure, call us immediately. Our team can guide you through what to do right now and will be ready the moment you arrive. Don’t wait to see if another episode occurs — with seizures, every minute of delay matters.
24/7 emergency seizure and neurological care
Diagnostics to identify the cause, not just treat the symptom
Clear next steps for your pet's long-term care and safety
Trusted Emergency Care When It Matters Most
Pet families across New Market and Jefferson County trust Five Rivers for fast seizure response, honest communication, and compassionate care during their most stressful moments.
Got Questions?
My pet had a seizure but seems okay now — do I still need to come in?
Yes. A seizure that resolves on its own is still a veterinary emergency, especially if it’s the first one. Seizures can recur without warning, and the underlying cause — whether epilepsy, a metabolic disorder, toxin ingestion, or something else — needs to be identified and addressed. A same-day evaluation is always the right call.
How long is too long for a seizure?
Any seizure lasting more than 2–3 minutes is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate veterinary intervention. This is called status epilepticus. Call us at (423) 581-9492 immediately and come directly to our hospital — do not wait for it to stop on its own.
What causes seizures in dogs and cats?
Seizures are a symptom, not a diagnosis. Common causes include epilepsy (the most common in dogs), toxin ingestion, brain tumors, head trauma, infections like distemper or meningitis, metabolic disorders such as low blood sugar or kidney failure, heat stroke, and electrolyte imbalances. Identifying the cause is critical to preventing future episodes.
Are you open 24/7 for seizure emergencies?
Yes. Five Rivers Pet Emergency Hospital is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us at (423) 581-9492 any time — day or night — and our emergency team will be ready to help immediately.
Seizures Are Unpredictable. We're Ready Around the Clock.
Five Rivers Pet Emergency Hospital is open every hour of every day in New Market, TN — ready to stabilize your pet and give you answers fast. Don’t wait for another episode. Call (423) 581-9492 or come directly to our hospital now.
