Seizures can exhaust a dog.
Dogs are considered elderly when they are older than 7. Senior dogs can have seizures for a variety of reasons, but all of them should be considered medical emergencies. Contact a vet immediately, even if the dog's seizure stops. Seizures can vary from a full-blown grand mal seizure to just a repetitive wobbling or uncontrollable twitching of one body part.
Types
Grand mal seizures are the most severe. During such an incident, a dog becomes unconscious, falls to one side with legs paddling, drools and chews spastically, and may relieve its bowels, bladder and anal sacs, according to Canine Epilepsy Network.
Petit mal seizures are less severe. The dog remains conscious but may not be able to walk or stand or may have repetitive, uncontrollable motions of the limbs or head. Bladder and bowel control also may be lost.
Focal or partial seizures vary according to the dog, but usually begin as a repetitive motion on one part of the body but may spread to other parts, according to "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook."
Causes
Elderly dogs can develop seizures because of inner organ failure, cancer, injury, bad reactions to medications, poisoning, overexposure to heat or a sudden and potentially fatal drop in blood sugar. "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook" notes that such conditions as epilepsy or narcolepsy often begin when dogs are younger than 1.
Significance
If your elderly dog has never experienced a seizure before, a life-threatening condition may be the cause. Check for pools of vomit and bloody diarrhea, which could indicate poisoning. Elderly dogs that are overweight are at risk for diabetes, which could cause seizures.
If a dog has been left in a hot car or without shade, it may have sunstroke. If the dog has recently been bitten by ticks, it could have Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever, according to the Canine Epilepsy Resource Page.
Time Frame
The average seizure for dogs lasts for only a couple of minutes. But if a grand mal seizure lasts for more than five minutes or if other types of seizures last for more than 10 minutes, phone a vet or take the dog to the nearest emergency clinic immediately, advises the Canine Epilepsy Network. They also advise that any dog having three or more attacks per day, even if they are very short, needs to see a vet as soon as possible.
Misconceptions
Senior dogs are also prone to arthritis. This may make them thrash and have trouble moving stiff, sore limbs, which may look like a seizure, according to "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook." Also, when dogs are stung by a bee or a wasp, they often bark or yelp, then collapse. This also may be mistaken for a seizure.
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