After your dog has a seizure, he should visit the veterinarian for a complete physical and neurological evaluation. If your dog had only one mild seizure, the doctor may suggest that you keep a log of any future episodes and take notes of the details of the convulsions and report back.

For dogs that have more than one seizure, the veterinarian will thoroughly review the dog's history. This will include information about all vaccinations the dog has received, his potential exposure to toxins, his diet, any illnesses or injuries, and all behavioral changes. The veterinarian will also record the dog's breed, age, and sex and the results of complete examinations and basic tests.

Diagnostics rule out various intracranial and extracranial causes. These typically include a thorough history, a physical and neurological exam, complete blood chemistry and CBC, and, if indicated, toxicology screening, radiographs, ultrasounds, and brain imaging (CT or MRI).

A glucose test will check for hypoglycemia, and a thyroid panel checks for low thyroid function or hypothyroidism. The veterinarian will also run a blood test to check for lead poisoning and a complete blood count to determine if there is infection or inflammation. The chemistry profile reveals metabolic causes of seizures by testing for markers of liver, kidney, glucose, and electrolyte disturbances. A urinalysis examines changes in the urine that will reflect kidney or other metabolic irregularities. A cerebrospinal fluid analysis will check for encephalitis, distemper, or another infection.

After the results have been analyzed, the veterinarian will have one of three outcomes: a definitive diagnosis, a potential cause that requires further tests, or no explanation. Do not be disheartened if the tests do not turn up a conclusive diagnosis. The majority of seizure disorders are classified as having an unknown cause. This is referred to as idiopathic or primary epilepsy. As odd as it may seem, a large percentage of seizures are diagnosed as idiopathic. This is an inherited disorder in some breeds.

Providing a Health History

To help your veterinarian determine the circumstances that may have triggered a seizure, give him as much information about the seizures and your dog's health as possible. It's helpful if you can provide the following information:

• Length of the seizure

• Number of seizures

• What your dog looks like during a seizure

• Any unusual signs before or after a seizure

• Possible exposure to toxins

• High fever or signs of any other illnesses

• Vaccination history

• Exposure to unfamiliar dogs, including boarding

• Diet and meal schedule

• Any behavior changes

It also helps to keep a log of your dog's daily activities. This doesn't have to be elaborate — just some notes about what your dog comes in contact with throughout the day that might be out of the ordinary. Spending a few minutes each day compiling this information may go a long way toward saving your dog's life.

Medications

If a dog has only had one seizure or her convulsions are few and far between, most veterinarians will not rush to prescribe anticonvulsant medications. These medications are serious drugs that should be considered carefully. Once medical treatment is initiated, it will likely need to be continued for life. Depending on your dog's case, it may be better to start with treatments that have fewer side effects, such as diet changes, herbal treatments, and acupuncture. If these are not sufficient, drug therapy can be initiated.

If a dog has cluster seizures, violent seizures, or frequent seizures, medication may be warranted. Frequent seizures will interfere with your dog's quality of life and can lower her seizure threshold further, resulting in even more seizures. Therefore, it is important to be proactive about a seizure disorder. Medications will have variable results depending on the cause of the seizures. When using drugs, here are some helpful tips: