Watching your dog have a seizure can be incredibly scary. The seizure usually comes out of nowhere, and as an owner, you are not always sure what to do. The best course of action is to wait for the seizure to subside, and then take your dog to the veterinary hospital. However, if it lasts too long, you should get to the vet hospital immediately. Here's a look at what the vets will do for your dog once they're admitted. 

Diagnostic Testing

There are many different possible causes of seizures in dogs. Some are caused by brain tumors. Others may be caused by liver disease, kidney failure, or even diabetes. In order to best treat your dog's seizures, the vets will first need to determine what's likely to be causing them. They will likely take X-rays or an MRI, which will enable them to see any tumors that could be causing the seizures. They may also run blood tests to diagnose diabetes or any kidney or liver problems.

An important part of the diagnostic process is also talking with the owner. The vet will ask you questions about what your dog eats, how they have been behaving, and what their seizure was like. It's important that you answer fully and honestly so your vet can give as good a diagnosis as possible.

Short-Term Treatment

Often, this is done alongside diagnostic testing. The vet will administer treatments to deal with the short-term effects of the seizures, and also to prevent any additional seizures in the coming hours or days. For example, if your dog bit their tongue when seizing, the vet can suture the incision and apply a pain relief gel. If they hit their head, they can treat the resulting bruise or bump. There are also anti-seizure medications they can prescribe while working on a more long-term treatment plan.

Long-Term Treatment

Once your vet figures out what underlying condition may have caused the seizures, they can recommend a long-term treatment plan to prevent additional ones from happening. This plan can vary greatly depending on the condition. For example, if your dog is diabetic, treating them with insulin and putting them on a low-carbohydrate diet can help prevent future seizures. If your dog has a brain tumor, the vet may recommend surgery to remove it. For kidney problems, they may recommend a specialized diet and diuretic medications.

If your dog has a seizure, the best thing you can do is get them to the animal hospital. Your vet can handle things from there! Contact a vet hospital for more information. 

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