Staff of BAH Blog


Blog Series: Medical Emergencies for Pets

PT 8: Seizures and Neurological Issues

Euraysia Duhaime: BA, Veterinary Assistant BAH

“Be honest and be kind.”

Pets are prone to a wide variety of illnesses, and it can be difficult to sort out which symptoms are emergencies. I’ve written a series of short blogs to help you determine when your fur-baby needs immediate medical attention. Today, we’re discussing seizures and neurological issues.

Seizures in animals can be a very scary situation for you and your pet and are considered a medical emergency. Seizures can be associated with a number of conditions, not just epilepsy. If your pet is epileptic, not every seizure is going to be a medical emergency. However, if your pet has multiple seizures within a 24 hour period or if a seizure lasts longer then a couple of minutes, then your pet should be seen by your vet immediately. If your pet is having a seizure, please take appropriate safety precautions. DO NOT place your hands in the mouth; your pet will not swallow their tongue. You may protect them from injuring themselves by ensuring your pet does not flail and placing cushioning on either side of them to protect them. DO NOT attempt to interrupt the seizure. Once the seizure is over, pet your dog and provide reassurance, and book an appointment with your vet as soon as possible.

Note: a seizure is a traumatic event for the brain. Your pet may seem dopey, slow to walk, and in some rare cases, may become aggressive in the time period after seizures (called the “postictal” phase).

Types of seizures and how they present:

Focal seizure: Cats commonly exhibit this type of seizure, which originates in a small, concentrated area within the cerebral cortex. Focal seizures are sometimes referred to as partial seizures, since they are isolated to specific parts of the body.

Symptoms include: loud cry, as if the cat is in pain; aggressive behaviour; excessive drooling; potential loss of leg function; strange behaviour, as if chewing imaginary gum; staring off into space; unable to get up without assistance; a single muscle or muscle group twitch that continues.

Generalized seizure: The entire body is affected. Generalized seizures can be broken down further into two types: grand mal and petit mal.

Grand mal seizures are more common and recognizable, and usually last fewer than five minutes. Their symptoms include: uncontrollable muscle activity such as kicking of the legs, as if swimming; falling to one side; loss of bowel and/or bladder control; being unaware of their surroundings, those around them, or their own actions.

Petit mal seizures are less dramatic and may be so subtle that you don’t realize one has occurred. They do not cause convulsions, but can result in the cat or dog suddenly collapsing. Other possible signs include: staring off into space; an air of confusion; strange behaviour, as if chewing imaginary gum or swatting at invisible flies.

Neurological Issues:

Neurological issues can present in ways that some owners may think is quirky behaviour, but can actually be a serious issue. Neurological problems can manifest in your pet and may present as: disorientation, walking in circles, head tilting, lethargy (can be seen in many illnesses and should never be ignored), unresponsiveness, lameness (loss of proper use of limbs), or coma. Neurological problems should never be ignored. Please contact your vet if your pet is exhibiting any of these symptoms.


If you have any questions, or would like to book an appointment, fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you within 48 hours. If you have a possible emergency during our hours of operation, please call the clinic at 519-648-9738. If you have an after hours emergency, please contact Campus Estates Animal Hospital at 519-837-1212.