Just as some humans are unlucky to suffer from occasional seizures, so too puppies can also develop seizures. Undoubtedly, a seizure is a scary situation, both for your cockapoo and you, but seizures need not mean that the puppy cannot enjoy a full and fun-filled life. With additional care on the part of his owner, a puppy can still have a happy life with many years ahead of him.

What Are The Symptoms of Canine Seizures?

Symptoms vary between one puppy and another. Commonly, seizures manifest as either convulsions or with a trembling body. On some occasions a seizure may affect only a small or specific area of the puppy’s body, and might remain localized. On the other hand, a mild seizure might have a puppy seeming to “stare into space”, and not manifesting a convulsion or tremble. Other symptoms to be aware of include excessive salivation or drooling, or perhaps uncontrolled elimination. In some instances, puppies seek their owners before having a seizure, perhaps establishing an awareness that something is not right.

Why Does It Happen?

There are a number of causes behind a puppy having seizures. Most commonly, a puppy may have suffered an injury, and this in turn triggers seizures. For example, injuries as a result of playing roughly may result in such an injury. Some puppies suffer from epilepsy, which can cause seizures, as can distemper. Another consideration is that your puppy may have an allergy, or may have come into contact with a toxin which may trigger a seizure.

What Are The Treatment Options?

Always seek the assistance of your veterinarian if your puppy suffers from seizures. It may be that a simply change of diet may assist your puppy’s condition. In more severe cases, anti-seizure medication may be recommended, or perhaps a treatment to detoxify your cockapoo. Anti-seizure medication is likely to be prescribed if your puppy is found to suffer from epilepsy or distemper. However, anti-seizure medication can also have side effects. Some dog owners may weigh the alternatives and choose not to administer such medication.

If the puppy suffers seizures as a result of trauma or an injury, then the rapid healing of the injury is important and steroids may be prescribed to assist the healing process. Depending on the degree of the seizures, anti-seizure medication may also be prescribed if the injury does not heal fully or quickly enough.

Treatment for toxins which a puppy may have come into contact with include stomach pumps, charcoal pumpings, and an antidote for the specific toxin if such is available. Treatment of seizures associated with allergies usually involve a change in diet, coupled with administering probiotics and supplemental enzymes.

What Should I Do?

While your puppy is suffering from a seizure, it is important to protect yourself at the same time as protecting your puppy. During the seizure your puppy will not have full control of his own body. It is therefore most important that you keep your hands away from his mouth as he may accidentally bite you. It is highly unlikely that your puppy will cause himself significant damage by biting, or that he will swallow his tongue.

If you find that your puppy is having a seizure in a potentially dangerous location, perhaps near the stairs or near to furniture which may topple, than carefully move him to a safer location, taking hold of him by his back end, and dragging him gently if at all possible. Alternatively, move the furniture or potential hazard out of the way of your puppy.

Although a puppy may suffer seizures throughout his life, such seizures are often not fatal. With extra vigilance, care and attention by his owner, a puppy may go on to lead a full and happy life.