Ask Me Help Desk - Is it okay to hold a dog back when they seizure?

Is it okay to hold a dog back when they seizure?

I have a dalmatian that has seizures, when he seizures he likes to run but this obviously is unsafe. I am wondering if it is okay for me to hold him. I usually straddle him and put my arms around his neck, kind of like hugging him. Do you think this is okay? Or do you have a better suggestion?
Thanks in advance everyone!

How can a dog run when the dog is having seizures?

No, you aren't supposed to hold them while they are having serizures. The best thing you can do is protect his head, and make sure he doesn't hit it off anything, stay calm, he can feel your nervousness, and stay away from his mouth! It can snap down in voluntarily.. believe me!

When he seizures he throws himself against things, I'm thinking it's to stop himself, I can tell when he is about to have one so usually I gently place him on the ground and hold him until he is done. When I hold him though he doesn't seem to want to run as much. It is really hard to protect his head when he is flying around uncontrollably.

When a dog (or a person for that matter) has a seizure the best thing you can do is just do remove anything they can hurt themselves with from the immediate area.
So if there are hard toys, throw them out of the way, if there is a table, push it aside.

If the seizures are severe then it would be OK to just try and keep the dog from shimmying across the floor by gently holding them in place... don't hold them tight.

Comfort the dog as much as possible once the seizure is over.
It is very scary for them and a hug from you and a soothing voice goes a long way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emily94

When he seizures he throws himself against things, I'm thinking it's to stop himself, I can tell when he is about to have one so usually I gently place him on the ground and hold him until he is done. When I hold him though he doesn't seem to want to run as much. It is really hard to protect his head when he is flying around uncontrollably.

Is he 'running around' as he feels the seizure coming on then stopping during the full seizure? Does the 'running' continue after the seizure begins if he isn't stopped and held? Can you guide him into a safe place and let him make it through the seizure then comfort him?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emily94

When he seizures he throws himself against things, I'm thinking it's to stop himself, I can tell when he is about to have one so usually I gently place him on the ground and hold him until he is done. When I hold him though he doesn't seem to want to run as much. It is really hard to protect his head when he is flying around uncontrollably.

Sorry, what I meant was basically what Shaz said. Just move things out of his reach 'so to speak'.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat1864

Is he 'running around' as he feels the seizure coming on then stopping during the full seizure? Does the 'running' continue after the seizure begins if he isn't stopped and held? Can you guide him into a safe place and let him make it through the seizure then comfort him?

When the seizure first starts he stops what he is doing (usually going for a walk) and then he hunches his back stays like that for 30 seconds or so, and then runs, he'll stop occasionally fall to the ground shake a little get back up run, crash into a few things, fall, shake, run... that's pretty much how it goes. When he is done he just stops and stands there "shivering", it isn't trembling like when he is seizuring, but more of a mild shake. Then he lays down and relaxes for 15-20 minutes and then if he is fine we give him some water. Our house is not big enough, and either is our yard to move things out of the way. The first time he seizured he ran into the back fence and then the front one, and then the one side one. If holding him is not an option is there anything else I could do to stop his violent movement, it makes it a lot scarier for me when I can't hold him and talk to him during it. His last seizure lasted 7 minutes, but I was holding him. Another one he had lasted about 10(which was his first) and we defiantly had no idea what just went on, he did the above and we freaked out! He rammed his head into the corner of our fence and the house and just stood up shakeing! Now that I know what it is I am able to stay very calm (I never thought I'd be able to) and talk to him and pet him, and talk to him etc..

I feel like I'm rambling but I'm trying to give you guys all the information.

Have you considered it may not be a seizure?
I have never seen a dog running while having a seizure, usually it's bang! On the floor convulsing.

It could be another neurological problem.

If it's big no.if it's small yes

:confused:

Quote:

Originally Posted by charkitty6

If it's big no.if it's small yes

Emily, while holding him may make make you feel better, it may be making it worse for him. You may be inadvertently making him tense up more.

I know from experience that it isn't easy watching a dog go through a seizure, but sometimes you just have to let it happen and try to keep them from hurting themselves. Using cushions to limit the area he can run in. Baby gates. Quilts over tables and chairs. Essentially softening his world may be all that you can safely do for both of you.

What exactly has his vet said about his condition? I think you have another thread on this subject, don't you?

Yes it's a seizure, the vet said it had something to do with his thyroid. It's really hard to explain, but when I'm holding him he doesn't seem to want to run and he lays on his side "paddling" his legs and shaking. But when he is not held it's like... His paddling legs are carrying him (since he doesn't fall when he has a seizure)

Emily, has you bet thought about any medication for the seizures? Have you tried adding green beans to his diet?

Is he on any medications for his thyroid?

He only seizures a few times a year, and it would cost over $3000 a year fr medication, and since we do not know of he will have another one it is pointless. But we did add greenbeans, I am just wanting information if it does happen again. I've done a lot of research but no where mentioned all this stuff.