I'm Dr. Laura Vasquez from Central Texas Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital/ I'm here today to talk to you about dogs with seizures. My assistant Dennis will be fielding your questions, and I'll be trying to provide the best answers I can. Show
Dr. Vasquez are seizures painful?We don't know if they're painful. They look very violent, some dogs, when they have grand mal seizures, which is the whole body convulsion, also known as a tonic-clonic seizure. They do look painful. We know in people that people don't remember feeling, experiencing pain during the seizures, so we assume the same for dogs. Are seizures dangerous?Seizures can be dangerous. Most of the time, we think of seizures lasting less than two minutes, but seizures that last longer than two minutes or is what is called status epilepticus, now the longer the seizure goes, the more spontaneous activity goes to different parts of your body. One of the places that can be affected by longterm seizures is your heart. You can unfortunately have a fatal, arrhythmia secondary to seizures. Dr. Vasquez, what causes seizures in dogs?Seizures in dogs can be caused by a number of things. The most common one would be idiopathic epilepsy where it seizures for no known cause. Seizures are just a reaction by the brain to something. If we're talking about something that's not idiopathic, then we wonder, okay well did they eat something? There can be toxicities. Do they have systemic problems? Maybe they have a liver disease or kidney disease that can affect their brain. Sometimes there can be something wrong within the brain itself, a structural lesion, and this is where we would talk about things like strokes or brain tumors or encephalitis. You can have either inter-cranial causes, which are things arising from your brain, or you can have things from outside your body or you can just have idiopathic epilepsy seizures for no known reason. Dr. Vasquez can heat cause dog seizures?Heat can affect the brain. Heat can cause seizures in dogs, this would be from overheating. It's usually secondary to having problems with other organ systems, but the brain is definitely very sensitive to heat. Dr. Vasquez, which toxins can cause dog seizures?Well, so there are any number of toxins that can cause seizures in dogs, but some of the very common things include macadamia nuts, so be careful not to feed your dogs nuts, moldy foods including moldy cheeses, so just be very careful about your pets getting into the garbage. We can also see seizures secondary to certain kinds of pesticides, so always be aware that when they're spraying your property, you have your pets safely indoors or away. You can also see it unfortunately more recently with certain kinds of algae that are found in some of the water. Okay, so there are food types of toxicities, like I mentioned with macadamia nuts, there are plant toxicities, be very careful with the kinds you plant in your yard, pesticides. A common thing that a lot of people have in their yards, mulch. Mulch can get moldy and if your dog eats moldy mulch, you can most certainly see seizures and other neurological disorders. Be careful where your pet swims, standing water that might get algae toxicity can most certainly cause seizures. Dr. Vasquez can dog food cause dogs seizures?Unless the food has been adulterated, I don't think that that's usually cause of seizures in dogs. We worry though about moldy food. Always make sure you're feeding your pets fresh foods. Can dog flu cause seizures?We don't know about dog flu causing seizures. They usually have to be very systemically ill and have organ failure somewhere else for it to affect the brain like that. Dr. Vasquez can dog allergies cause seizures?Well, so seizures in dogs can be triggered, we know that idiopathic epilepsy can have stress as a trigger, but we also know that inflammation in another organ system can cause seizures. If an animal has a really bad urinary tract infection or really bad ear infections, any cause of inflammation in the body can be a trigger. For some dogs, having really severe allergies might trigger seizures. Thank you, and if you want to learn more on seizures in dogs, click here or if you have any further questions, please feel free to contact your veterinarian to help schedule a referral to us.
 Certain foods that are good for humans can be dangerous and even toxic to pets – leading to a variety of health problems. Protect your dog or cat by not letting them get their paws on these dangerous foods. Print out this handy PDF to hang on your fridge as a reminder of what foods are toxic to our beloved animals. Chocolate When you ask someone “What foods are toxic to dogs?” chocolate is often the first to come to mind. Chocolate toxicity can cause vomiting, diarrhea, heart arrhythmias and seizures, and can even be fatal. This is due to an ingredient in chocolate called theobromine, which can be poisonous to pets. The darker the chocolate and the smaller the dog, the greater the danger. Consult your veterinarian if your dog eats any. Fatty foods Tails wag at the scent of greasy and high-fat cheeseburgers, bacon and fried foods, but don’t give in to their begging. While these foods aren’t toxic, consumption can lead to vomiting, diarrhea and gas, and can result in pancreatitis and gastrointestinal issues. Fat trimmings and bones No more rewarding your pet with fat trimmed from your steak, chicken or pork. You run the risk of causing pancreas and liver problems. Be cautious of leftover bones, too; cooked bones are more likely to splinter, and the sharp pieces of bone can tear digestive organs and cause internal bleeding. Onions and garlic Onions and garlic can be lethal because of an ingredient called thiosulphate, which can damage your pet’s red blood cells and cause anemia. Thiosulphate is found in onions, shallots, chives and onion powder. It’s especially potent in garlic. Nuts If your dog is experiencing seizures, lethargy, vomiting or loss of muscle control, nut toxicity may be the cause. Macadamia nuts are a food especially toxic to dogs and cats. Many nuts are also high in fat and salt, which can cause a variety of health issues. Raw eggs Cooked eggs can make a healthy addition to your dog or cat’s diet, if eaten in moderation. Excessive consumption of raw eggs, however, can lead to a biotin deficiency that is bad for dogs’ skin and fur. Raw fish While not inherently a food poisonous to dogs and cats, raw fish may contain harmful bacteria that can lead to food poisoning in your pet. In addition, your pet may also be at risk of catching “fish disease” due to a parasite commonly found in salmon, trout, sturgeon and other upstream-swimming fish. Be sure to monitor your pet closely during fishing trips or at the beach. Salt A pretzel here or a potato chip there is mostly harmless. But large quantities of salt can lead to salt poisoning, which has severe neurological symptoms, including seizures and brain swelling. Be sure to monitor your pooch at the beach, since drinking salty ocean water is a common cause of salt poisoning. Mushrooms If your dog or cat can roam your yard, remove any wild mushrooms. The wild variety typically causes the most harm, as opposed to grocery store mushrooms. Even a few bites can cause seizures and vomiting. Avocado The large seeds found in avocados can become lodged in your pet’s stomach, esophagus or intestinal tract. If you live near avocado trees, be sure to monitor your pet to prevent choking. Grapes and raisins Grapes and raisins can cause kidney issues in dogs and cats. Even small amounts can result in lethargy, shivers and a decreased appetite. More extreme cases of grape poisoning can cause kidney failure and even death. Cherries These fruits are toxic to dogs and cats, causing dilated pupils, breathing problems and, in extreme cases, shock or even death. Beware of cherry trees and shrubs as well. With the exception of the ripe pulp around the seeds, these plants are poisonous to pets, as the non-pulp parts contain cyanide. Fruit with pits Beware of fruits with pits. They can cause your pet to choke or obstruct their intestines, particularly plum and peach pits, which also contain poisonous cyanide. Beverages can be hazardous, too
Ingredients can also cause illnesses
Help avoid toxic mold by storing pet food in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. If your dog or cat consumes any of these potentially dangerous foods, contact your veterinarian immediately. It’s also a good idea to stay on the safe side with pet insurance coverage, which can cover unexpected costs. In the event something does happen, you can take comfort in knowing your pet is protected. |
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