Is Your Team Prepared?
eizures can occur in any dog at any time, including while at daycare or during a boarding stay. Witnessing a dog under your care go unconscious and experience involuntary body thrashing during a seizure can be frightening. That’s why it is critical that you and your team be trained in pet first aid.
Sherry Redwine, owner of Odyssey Pets, a Dallas, Texas-based boarding, daycare, retail and grooming business, says, “We take medical situations seriously and have clear protocols in place to support pets who may experience a seizure while in our care. Our team is trained to remain calm, create a safe environment, and provide comfort to the pet.”
Rob Robinson, general manager of Canine Republic, a dog boarding and daycare center in Plano, Texas, agrees and adds, “With dogs with a history of seizures who board with Canine Republic, we implement several measures to ensure clear communication among the staff. A ‘Seizure Watch’ sticker is placed on the dog’s run card and boarding collar for easy visibility.”
A seizure can last a few seconds or up to several minutes. The cause varies. A dog may have hit their head against a hard object and suffer a concussion, or may have eaten something poisonous that causes a high fever. Medical conditions, including diabetes, liver disease and kidney disease, can increase the risk of a dog incurring a seizure.
It is vital to recognize that, during a seizure, a dog’s core body temperature can rise and lead to heatstroke if the temperature exceeds 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the dog regains consciousness, veterinarians recommend that you safely dip their paws in cool water to lower the elevated body temperature while en route to the nearest veterinary clinic.
Don’t attempt to hold down the dog during a seizure. You risk being bit or injured.
Don’t scream or move quickly. Remain calm. You think more clearly when you monitor your breathing and adopt an act-in-the-moment mindset.
Do say the time out loud and record it when the seizure begins and also when the seizure stops. Report these times to the veterinarian.
Do dim the lights, as evidence suggests exposure to bright lights can worsen the situation in dogs experiencing a seizure.
Do record the episode on your cell phone to share with the veterinary team and the pet parents.
Do bag up any bodily fluids from the dog for the veterinary team to analyze.
Do call the nearest veterinary clinic with quick observations and indicate your expected time of arrival so they will be ready to immediately treat the dog.
If you choose to accept dogs with a history of seizures at your daycare or boarding facility, it’s important to have policies and procedures in place for the likely event of a seizure happening.
“We do accept dogs with a history of seizures, but it is handled on a case-by-case basis,” says Sherry. “If a dog with a seizure history is a good candidate for daycare or boarding, we develop a personalized care plan with clear protocols for our staff to follow. Our goal is to create a safe, low-stress environment that supports the individual needs of every dog.”
She shares the case of a long-time canine client of theirs, a senior Labrador Retriever named Max. His family provided Odyssey Pets with detailed instructions from their veterinarian.
“Max had a mild seizure while resting in one of our quiet suites,” recalls Sherry. “A team member noticed the signs immediately and followed our seizure protocol, making sure Max was in a safe position, staying close to monitor him, and timing the episode. We contacted his family right away and followed up with his veterinarian as a precaution. Max experienced no complications.”
Canine Republic’s admission policy requires pet parents to complete detailed medical and behavioral information on their pets on the intake forms. That includes listing any ongoing health conditions, such as a history of seizures and list of current medications the dog is taking.
Rob shares the case of a French Bulldog named Louie, who was new to his pet parent and had limited medical history to share with the Canine Republic staff.
“Louie experienced a seizure that was immediately recognized by a team member,” shares Rob. “The staff member ensured his safety, timed the duration of the seizure, and captured a brief video for documentation. Louie was then diagnosed with epilepsy and has since began taking medication to manage his condition.”
Arden Moore is known as America’s Pet Health and Safety Coach. A master certified pet first aid/CPR instructor, Arden is the founder of Pet First Aid 4U and director of education for Pro Pet Hero’s pet first aid instructor program. She teaches in-person and interactive classes all over the world to pet professionals and pet parents. A Fear Free certified speaker, she is the author of more than two dozen pet books. She hosts the award-winning Oh Behave Show on Pet Life Radio, the longest-running weekly pet podcast. Learn more at www.ardenmoore.com and www.petfirstaid4u.com