What to Do During a Seizure

Keeping the area around a seizing pet clear of hazards, avoiding putting hands near the mouth, and timing the seizure’s duration are the appropriate actions during the event itself — not attempting to restrain or stop the seizure directly.

Why Timing a Seizure Matters

Knowing exactly how long a seizure lasted is genuinely useful information for a veterinarian, and a seizure lasting an extended period (commonly cited as beyond several minutes) is itself an emergency requiring immediate veterinary attention.

After a Seizure Ends

A pet is often disoriented and should be kept calm and safe immediately after a seizure — even a single, resolved seizure typically still warrants veterinary follow-up to understand the underlying cause.

Recognizing Other Neurological Emergency Signs

Sudden loss of coordination, unusual disorientation, or sudden partial paralysis are other signs of a potential neurological emergency warranting prompt veterinary evaluation.