Seizures in Pets: When to Seek Emergency Veterinary Care
Seeing your pet experience a seizure can be frightening and overwhelming. Seizures may last only seconds, but they often signal an underlying health issue that requires urgent attention. At Five Rivers Pet Emergency Hospital in New Market, TN, our emergency veterinarians are available 24/7 to provide immediate care, stabilize your pet, and identify what caused the seizure. Whether it’s a first-time seizure or part of an ongoing condition, we’re here to help.
Understanding Seizures in Pets
A seizure occurs when there’s abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It can cause uncontrolled muscle movements, twitching, or loss of consciousness. Seizures are a symptom, not a disease, and they may be triggered by:
- Epilepsy
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Head trauma or brain tumors
- Exposure to toxins or certain medications
- Heatstroke
- Liver or kidney disease
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Infectious diseases (such as distemper or feline infectious peritonitis)
Because the causes range from mild to life-threatening, every seizure should be taken seriously.
Seizures in Pets: When to Worry
Pet owners often ask, “When should I worry about my dog’s seizures?” Even a single seizure warrants veterinary evaluation, but some situations require immediate emergency care:
- Seizures lasting longer than 3–5 minutes
- Multiple seizures in a 24-hour period (cluster seizures)
- Seizures accompanied by unconsciousness or difficulty waking up
- Your pet stops breathing or turns blue during a seizure
- Severe disorientation or weakness after the seizure
- Seizures triggered by toxin exposure (chocolate, medications, household chemicals)
- Seizures in very young, elderly, or chronically ill pets
If your pet is having an active seizure that does not stop within a few minutes, treat it as an emergency and seek veterinary care right away.
Our Diagnostic Approach
At Five Rivers Pet Emergency Hospital, our team works quickly to stabilize pets during or after a seizure. Once your pet is safe, we begin diagnostics to uncover the cause. This may include:
- Thorough physical and neurological exam
- Blood tests to check glucose, liver, kidney, and electrolyte levels
- Urinalysis to screen for toxins or metabolic problems
- Advanced imaging such as digital X-rays or ultrasound
- Referral for MRI or CT scan if a brain abnormality is suspected
Identifying the underlying issue is essential for both immediate treatment and long-term management.
Treatment Options for Seizures in Pets
Treatment depends on the severity and underlying cause of the seizure. Options may include:
- IV medications to stop active seizures
- Anti-seizure medications (such as phenobarbital or levetiracetam) for ongoing control
- IV fluids and supportive care
- Treatment for underlying conditions (e.g., toxin removal, managing hypoglycemia, or stabilizing organ dysfunction)
- Long-term seizure management plans for pets with epilepsy
Our priority is to keep your pet safe, reduce the risk of repeat seizures, and give you peace of mind about what comes next.
Why Choose Five Rivers Pet Emergency Hospital?
Families throughout New Market, Jefferson County, and surrounding areas trust us for emergency care when every second counts. With 24/7 availability, advanced diagnostics like an in-house lab and imaging, and a highly trained emergency team, we’re equipped to handle even the most critical cases. Most importantly, we understand how terrifying seizures can be for pet parents, and we’re here to provide both medical expertise and compassionate support.
Get Immediate Help for Seizures in Pets
If your dog or cat is experiencing seizures, don’t wait. Contact Five Rivers Pet Emergency Hospital at (423) 581-9492 or bring your pet directly to our New Market, TN location for urgent care. We’re here for you and your pet 24/7.