Seizures in Dogs and Cats: What Pet Owners Need to Know

3 min read

As a pet owner, few things are more frightening than seeing your dog or cat experience a seizure. Seizures can range from subtle twitching to full-body convulsions, and while they’re often caused by underlying medical conditions, they can sometimes occur without warning.

Understanding what seizures are, why they happen, and how to respond can help you stay calm and protect your pet during an episode. In this post, we’ll break down the causes, signs, treatment options, and how you can manage medication costs if your pet needs ongoing seizure care.

What Are Seizures in Pets?

A seizure is a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that temporarily affects your pet’s behavior, movements, or consciousness. They can last just a few seconds or several minutes and may occur as isolated events or in clusters.

Common symptoms include:

• Muscle twitching or jerking

• Loss of coordination or collapse

• Stiffening of the body

• Paddling movements with the legs

• Drooling or foaming at the mouth

• Loss of bladder or bowel control

• Temporary disorientation after the episode (called the “postictal” phase)

  
  

Causes of Seizures in Dogs and Cats

Seizures can be triggered by a variety of conditions, including:

• Epilepsy – a chronic neurological disorder causing recurrent seizures

• Brain tumors or injuries

• Liver or kidney disease

• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

• Toxin exposure (e.g., chocolate, certain plants, pesticides)

• Infectious diseases affecting the nervous system

  
  

Your veterinarian can help determine the cause through bloodwork, imaging, and other diagnostic tests.

How Seizures Are Treated

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. For pets diagnosed with epilepsy or another seizure disorder, daily anti-seizure medication may be prescribed to reduce frequency and severity. Common veterinary-prescribed seizure medications that are also available at human pharmacies include:

• Phenobarbital – a first-line treatment for many pets with epilepsy

• Levetiracetam (Keppra) – often used alone or with other drugs

• Zonisamide – another effective anti-seizure option

• Gabapentin – sometimes prescribed for nerve pain but can also help in seizure control

💡 Because many of these drugs have human equivalents, you can often fill your pet’s prescription at local pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, or Walmart—potentially at a much lower cost.

How to Save on Seizure Medications for Pets

If your pet needs long-term seizure medication, costs can add up quickly. Here’s how to keep expenses manageable:

1. Ask for a Written PrescriptionRequest a written prescription from your vet so you can shop around for the best price.

2. Use a Prescription Discount CardSearch your pet’s medication on your card’s website to compare prices at local pharmacies. You may find discounts of 50% or more.

3. Consider Generic EquivalentsMany seizure medications are available in generic form, which can greatly reduce cost without sacrificing quality.

   
   

What to Do During a Seizure

If your pet is actively having a seizure:

• Stay calm and note the time the seizure begins.

• Move objects away to prevent injury.

• Do not place your hands near your pet’s mouth—pets may bite involuntarily.

• After the seizure ends, keep your pet in a quiet, dimly lit area until they recover.

• Contact your vet, especially if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes or if multiple seizures occur in a short time.

  
  

Key Takeaways

⚠ Seizures can be serious – Always consult a veterinarian to determine the cause and best treatment.

💊 Medication may be lifelong – Consistency is critical for seizure control.

💵 Savings are possible – Filling human-equivalent medications at retail pharmacies with a discount card can significantly cut costs.