How to care for your pet after a seizure or other neurological episodes

As neurological issues in pets can be especially unsettling for pet owners, this article aims to provide advice on how to care for your pet after a seizure or other neurological episode.

At your Vets Now visit, our veterinarians will typically seek to stabilise your pet and treat their symptoms. If your pet’s neurological issue is a sign of an underlying issue or a chronic condition, you will want to discuss their emergency visit with your daytime veterinarian.

As far as looking after your pet once they come home from the Vets Now clinic, follow the advice below to keep your pet as comfortable as possible.

Create a secure environment

If your pet is feeling poorly, they will want a safe, calm space in which to recover. This is doubly true for neurological episodes, when your pet may be perceiving stimuli differently and be generally a bit confused.

In the case of seizures, your dog may be disoriented for up to 24 hours after the end of the episode, and they could be at increased risk of seizures in the early stages of recovery.

Make sure there is a quiet room or corner in your home where your pet can feel secure where they will not be subjected to noise or visual stimuli like TVs, or loud music.

Follow medication instructions

Whether prescribed by Vets Now following an emergency visit or your daytime vet while treating a known condition, medication may be vital for managing your pet’s neurological issues. Any dosing instructions should be followed carefully, even if it seems like your pet is feeling better.

If you have any questions about how to administer medication to your pet or you’re uncertain about the schedule, contact a vet for advice. Never stop, or adjust, seizure medication without veterinary advice.

Monitor your pet

It’s especially important to keep an eye on your pet following a neurological episode so that you can make sure that the issue does not recur.

If your pet does start to have a seizure, syncope (fainting) or any other neurological episode, it can be invaluable to your veterinarian to have a video of the event so they can evaluate your pet’s clinical signs in the moment, so it is wise to keep your phone handy.

If you have concerns about your pet following their neurological episode, contact your daytime vet, Vets Now, or our partner PawSquad telemedicine service for advice on what steps you should take next.