Is it a Seizure or Tremor?

Few things are more frightening for a pet owner than watching their pet suddenly begin shaking, collapse on the floor, or lose control of their body. In those first few moments, it's easy to assume the worst and panic. While seizures and tremors can appear similar, they are not the same thing. A seizure is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

During a seizure, some pets lose awareness of their surroundings and may collapse onto their side. Their legs may paddle as though they're swimming, their body may become stiff, and they may drool, chomp their jaws, urinate, or defecate. After the seizure ends, many pets experience what's known as the "post-ictal" phase. They may seem confused, restless, temporarily blind, or disoriented for several minutes or even several hours. A tremor is an involuntary muscle movement. Unlike seizures, pets experiencing a tremor often remain awake and aware of what's happening around them. They may look at you, respond when you call their name, or even continue standing while shaking. Tremors can have many causes, including pain, anxiety, cold temperatures, low blood sugar, certain medications, toxin exposure, muscle disorders, or neurological disease. Because the causes vary so widely, it's important not to assume that every episode of shaking is a seizure or that every tremor is harmless. Seizures can occur in any breed, but are seen more frequently in breeds such as Beagles, Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Belgian Tervurens, and Poodles.

Seizures can also develop later in life due to illness, injury, toxins, or other medical conditions. If your dog experiences what you believe is a seizure, your first job is to remain as calm as possible. Move furniture or other objects away if your pet is in danger of injury, avoid restraining them. Pets do not swallow their tongues during a seizure, and placing your hands near their mouth could result in an accidental bite. If possible, look at the time or start a timer on your phone. While seizures can feel much longer, most last less than two minutes. A seizure lasting longer than five minutes, or repeated seizures without your pet fully recovering between episodes, is considered a medical emergency requiring immediate veterinary attention. One of the most valuable things you can do if it can be done safely is record a short video on your phone. While your first instinct may be to comfort your pet, that video can provide your veterinarian with important clues and may help distinguish between a seizure, a tremor, or another medical condition. If your pet experiences a tremor but remains alert, it's still important to contact your veterinarian promptly. Make note of what your pet was doing before the episode began, whether they had access to any medications or toxins, whether they had recently exercised, and how long the shaking lasted. These details can be extremely helpful during your veterinary examination.

Whether the episode turns out to be a seizure, a tremor, or something entirely different, one thing remains true: your observations matter. By staying calm, keeping your pet safe, timing the event, and providing your veterinarian with accurate information, you become an important part of your pet's medical team. NOTE: Cats can experience seizures and tremors as well, although seizures are less common in cats. When they do occur, they may be associated with underlying diseases such as infections, liver disease, brain disorders, toxins, or certain metabolic conditions. Emergencies are never the time to wonder what to do. Learning the signs today can help you respond with confidence tomorrow.