Identification

• Identifying a seizure in your dog may be difficult if the symptoms are not extreme. Common symptoms exhibited by a dog having a seizure include loss of consciousness, falling to the ground, thrashing of limbs, incontinence, shaking and paralysis. The loss of motor control may cause dogs having minor seizures to walk with a limp or unbalanced.
  
  

Effects

• After a seizure, your dog will be confused and disoriented. He may also be excessively restless and begin to pace. The effects of the physical muscle contractions can strain your dog's muscles and joints, causing him to limp. Partial paralysis after the seizure can make it difficult for your dog to stand and walk. Additionally, if your dog fell during the seizure or hit something while his legs were thrashing, he may have injured himself causing a limp.
  
  

Prevention

• While you cannot prevent an impending seizure, talk to your veterinarian about anti-convulsion medications to lower your dog's risk. If your dog has regular seizures, learn the signs of the "aura" phase, which is the onset of symptoms that may last a few seconds or several days. These signs are unusual hiding, whining, trembling, nervous behavior and clinging to you. If you think your dog is having a seizure, clear items away that might hurt him if he falls or thrashes. Keep him off stairs after the seizure until he is re-oriented to his surroundings.
  
  

Misconceptions

• Unlike humans, dogs do not bite their tongues when having a seizure; you do not need to insert anything into your dog's mouth. You may get bit if you place your hand in his mouth. While your dog will be confused and anxious, your dog is not in pain during the seizure. Most seizures last less than a minute, though they can seem much longer.
  
  

Veterinary Care

• If your dog has a seizure lasting longer than five minutes or experiences more than one seizure in a 24-hour period, seek veterinary care immediately. Take your dog to the vet if he doesn't show signs of recovery within 30 minutes. Consult your veterinarian if your dog experiences a seizure for the first time. Canine seizures may be a symptom of a treatable underlying problem. Never stop anti-convulsion medications without consulting your veterinarian first.