Spring months can trigger seizures in dogs
Seizures in dogs can be quite scary for any pet owner to observe. Seizures are a serious neurological abnormality often caused by an underlying medical problem. Any dog experiencing seizures should be taken to a veterinary hospital immediately so the underlying issue can be diagnosed.
There are a wide range of possible causes for seizures in dogs that owners need to be aware of, reports VCA Animal Hospitals. Dogs may inherit a form of epilepsy and suffer from seizures for their entire life. Distemper is another condition that may cause seizures or other neurological signs such as facial tics. If your dog suffers a seizure, your veterinarian will likely perform blood and urine tests to rule out kidney problems, liver disease, low blood sugar and other causes of seizures.
While these potential causes of seizures are unavoidable, owners need to be on the lookout for possible seizure triggers that are entirely preventable. WSBT in Michigan reports veterinarians tend to see an increase in the number of dogs with seizures in spring months. That's because a number of different chemicals and medications can potentially cause seizures in dogs.
Tick and flea control for dogs becomes very important in the spring months, since the animals are likely to be outside often. While fleas and ticks on dogs are something that an owner should be on the lookout for, they must be careful not to overdo it when it comes to preventative medication. According to the news source, over-application of certain types of flea and tick medications can lead to neurological problems for the animal. This is why it's very important for owners to talk with their vet and ensure they know exactly the right dosage and type of medication to use.
Certain types of lawn chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides are other common seizure triggers found in the spring months . Pet owners working outside in the yard may not have thought to ensure these items are safely out of the reach of their dogs, and ingesting these types of chemicals can be very dangerous for a canine. If you believe your dog has ingested these chemicals and the animal has begun to seize afterwards, head to a veterinary hospital immediately and be sure to tell the doctors what the animal may have gotten into.
