Dog Petit Mal Seizure Symptoms

1. Usually no muscle spasms

2. Dog usually does not fall over during the seizure

3. Vacant staring into the air, said to resemble watching an invisible fly flying around their head.

4. Seizure may last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes.

5. Still slightly dazed and confused after the seizure.

What Causes Dog Petit Mal Seizures?

The cause of petit mal seizures is unknown but it occurs from abnormal activity in the dog's brain which causes the dog to become disorientated and confused. There is often a period before the actual seizure when the dog is thought to be very panicky like they are aware that the seizure is about to occur. This is the only sign that there may be a seizure about to happen but without the dog having had previous seizures this would be hard to recognise.

This seizure with the symptoms above may last anywhere from a few seconds to a minute long followed by slight confusion and unawareness of their surroundings and then they may be as normal again and seem unaffected by the incident.

What Your Vet May Say or Do

On suspecting the above symptoms the vet may want to take several tests and ask many questions to determine whether the cause of these seizures is caused from problems with vital organs in the dog's body such as liver, kidneys, pancreas or heart or from other problems in the brain area. To view these different tests the vet may use view the grand mal seizure page under 'what your vet may say or do' here.



Other Possible Conditions

Dog Grand Mal Seizures
Dog Abnormal Brain Development
Dog Heart Problems Causing Seizures
Dog Kidney Problems Causing Seizures (renal encephalopathy)
Dog Liver Problems Causing Seizures (hepatic encephalopathy)
Dog Primary Epilepsy
Dog Seizures Caused By Chemical Poisoning
Dog Seizures in Bitches Who Have Recently Given Birth (Eclampsia)
Dog Tumor (causing seizures)
Strokes in Older Dogs