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Tag: emergency vet care

  • Understanding Types of Seizures in Dogs | Animal Wellness Magazine

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    If you’ve ever witnessed your dog having a seizure, you know how scary and overwhelming it can be. As a caring dog parent, understanding the different types of seizures can help you better support your furry friend and communicate effectively with your veterinarian.

    What Exactly Is a Seizure?

    A seizure happens when there’s abnormal electrical activity in your dog’s brain. Think of it like a power surge that causes the brain’s normal functions to go haywire temporarily. These episodes can look very different depending on which part of the brain is affected.

    Generalized Seizures

    Generalized seizures affect both sides of the brain and are often what people picture when they think of seizures. The most common type is called a grand mal seizure (also known as tonic-clonic). During this type of seizure, your dog may:

    • Fall over suddenly
    • Have violent, jerking movements in all four legs
    • Paddle their limbs
    • Drool excessively or foam at the mouth
    • Lose control of their bladder or bowels
    • Lose consciousness completely

    Other types of generalized seizures include tonic seizures (where limbs become stiff and extended), clonic seizures (with bent, non-jerking limbs), and atonic seizures (where dogs stand and stare but don’t respond).

    Focal Seizures

    Focal seizures are quite different from generalized seizures. They happen when the abnormal brain activity stays in just one small area of the brain. These seizures can be much harder to recognize because they’re often subtle. Your dog might:

    • Snap at invisible flies (called “fly-biting”)
    • Make repeated chewing motions without food
    • Have twitching in just one eyelid, lip, or ear
    • Remain somewhat aware of their surroundings

    While focal seizures usually don’t require emergency treatment, it’s important to watch your dog closely because they can sometimes develop into generalized seizures.

    The Three Phases of Seizures

    Most seizures happen in three phases:

    1. Pre-ictal phase: Before the seizure starts, your dog might seem restless, anxious, or behave differently
    2. Ictal phase: This is the actual seizure, usually lasting from seconds to a few minutes
    3. Post-ictal phase: After the seizure, your dog may seem confused, tired, or disoriented. Some dogs even crave food during this recovery period

    When to Seek Emergency Help

    Some seizure situations require immediate veterinary attention:

    • Any seizure lasting longer than five minutes
    • Multiple seizures within 24 hours (called cluster seizures)
    • If this is your dog’s first seizure

    These situations can be life-threatening and need professional medical intervention right away.

    What You Should Do

    During a seizure, keep yourself and your dog safe. Move dangerous objects away, time the seizure, and avoid putting your hands near your dog’s mouth. Consider recording a video if possible – this can be incredibly helpful for your veterinarian.

    Remember, while seizures can be frightening to witness, many dogs with seizure disorders live happy, normal lives with proper veterinary care. Always consult with your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan tailored to your dog’s specific needs.

    Understanding these different types of seizures helps you become a better advocate for your dog’s health and ensures they get the best possible care.

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  • Caring for a Dog With a Broken Jaw | Animal Wellness Magazine

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    Animal Wellness is North America’s top natural health and lifestyle magazine for dogs and cats, with a readership of over one million every year. AW features articles by some of the most renowned experts in the pet industry, with topics ranging from diet and health related issues, to articles on training, fitness and emotional well being.

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  • Common Drugs That Can Harm Cats and Dogs | Animal Wellness Magazine

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    Every caring guardian wants to relieve their cat or dog’s pain or illness swiftly. Yet, even the most seemingly harmless human medications hold dangers for these animals. For instance, acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen inflict severe toxicity in cats and dogs. Their bodies process drugs differently than humans, making many common medicines poison instead of cure. Cats especially lack the enzymes to break down certain drugs, causing rapid and often irreversible damage. Accidental ingestion can trigger symptoms like vomiting, seizures, or worse. Knowing about common drugs contraindicated in cats and dogs protects their fragile lives from silent, chemical threats.

    Why Some Medications are Deadly

    Cats and dogs have unique metabolic pathways that influence how their bodies detoxify substances. Cats, for example, lack the enzymes for glucuronidation, essential for breaking down drugs such as acetaminophen and aspirin. This deficiency leads to a dangerous buildup of toxic metabolites. 

    Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is extremely toxic to cats and should never be given to them under any circumstances. Cats lack the enzyme needed to safely break down paracetamol, so even a small amount can cause serious harm. Toxic compounds form in their bodies, affecting red blood cells and preventing oxygen circulation, leading to severe liver damage. Symptoms of poisoning include difficulty breathing, blue or brown discoloration of the gums and tongue, swelling of the face and paws, vomiting, dark urine, jaundice, seizures, and potentially death.

    If a cat has ingested paracetamol, it is a medical emergency and you should take the cat to the vet immediately. There is an antidote that may save the cat if given early enough, but treatment outcomes are generally poor if symptoms have already developed.

    For pain management in cats, always consult a veterinarian to get safe and appropriate medication specifically formulated for them. Never use human medications like paracetamol for cats as the risks are very high and can be fatal.

    Dogs, too, have vulnerabilities; certain sulfonamides or doxycycline cause unexpected illnesses. Without awareness of these risks, administering even prescribed treatments can backfire catastrophically. Guardians must always consult veterinary guidance before dosing any medication.

    The List

    Here is a category list of 10 most common human medications that are deadly to pets.

    1. NSAIDS (Ibuprofen, Aleve, Motrin, etc.)
    2. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, etc.)
    3. Antidepressants (Effexor, Cymbalta, Prozac, Lexapro, etc.)
    4. ADD/ADHD Medications (Concerta, Adderall, Ritalin, etc.)
    5. Benzodiazepines / Sleep Aids (Xanax, Klonopin, Ambien, Lunesta,etc.)
    6. Birth Control (estrogen, estradiol, progesterone, etc.)
    7. ACE Inhibitors (Zestril, Altace, etc.)
    8. Beta-blockers (Tenormin, Toprol, Coreg, etc.)
    9. Thyroid hormones (Armour desiccated thyroid, Synthroid, etc.)
    10. Cholesterol lowering agents (Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor, etc.)

    Recognizing early signs of drug poisoning can save lives. Symptoms include rapid breathing, pale or bluish gums, persistent vomiting or diarrhea, lethargy, seizures, or difficulty walking. Immediate veterinary attention becomes imperative when these occur after exposure to medication. In emergencies, calling specialized poison control hotlines can provide critical guidance. Never attempt home remedies or induce vomiting without professional advice. Prevention starts with secure storage and strict vigilance around any pharmaceuticals. Awareness empowers guardians to defend their animals from unintended harm.

    Practical Tips to Protect and Preserve Health

    Guardians’ attentive care and informed decisions can prevent tragic outcomes from drug toxicity.

    A Call to Safeguard Their Lives

    Knowing about common drugs contraindicated in cats and dogs is important. Understanding drug contraindications transcends medical jargon—it’s about honoring the trust and fragility in furry companions who rely solely on human vigilance. Learning which medications endanger cats and dogs inspires deeper commitment and enhances their safety.


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    Animal Wellness is North America’s top natural health and lifestyle magazine for dogs and cats, with a readership of over one million every year. AW features articles by some of the most renowned experts in the pet industry, with topics ranging from diet and health related issues, to articles on training, fitness and emotional well being.

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