My Dog Had a Seizure (Part 3): Was It Really a Seizure? Conditions That Can Look Like Seizures in Dogs

Was It Really a Seizure?

Here's something that surprises many pet owners:

Not every collapse, shaking episode, or loss of balance is actually a seizure.

In fact, one of the first questions veterinarians ask after hearing that a dog "had a seizure" is:

• "Can you describe exactly what happened?"

Even better...

• "Do you happen to have a video?"

A short video recorded on your phone is often one of the most valuable diagnostic tools you can bring to your veterinary appointment. It allows us to see details that are almost impossible to describe accurately after a stressful event.

That doesn't mean your description isn't helpful—it absolutely is. But when adrenaline is high and you're worried about your dog, it's easy to miss or misremember small details that can point us toward the correct diagnosis.

Why the Difference Matters

Seizures, fainting episodes, movement disorders, and balance problems can all look similar to someone witnessing them for the first time.

However, they often have very different causes, treatments, and long-term outlooks.

Treating epilepsy is very different from treating heart disease.

Treating vestibular disease is very different from treating low blood sugar.

The first step is making sure we're treating the right problem.

Seizure vs. Fainting (Syncope)

One of the most common conditions confused with seizures is syncope, which is the medical term for fainting.

Fainting occurs when the brain temporarily doesn't receive enough oxygen-rich blood, often because of an underlying heart condition or abnormal heart rhythm.

Although both seizures and fainting can involve collapse, there are some important differences.

Seizures often include:

• Loss of consciousness
• Muscle rigidity
• Rhythmic paddling or jerking
• Jaw chomping
• Drooling
• Urination or defecation
• A period of confusion afterward

Fainting episodes often include:

• Sudden collapse
• Brief loss of consciousness
• Rapid recovery
• Little or no confusion afterward

Episodes associated with exercise, excitement, coughing, or sudden exertion

Some dogs experiencing syncope may briefly twitch their legs as they regain consciousness, which is why these episodes are so commonly mistaken for seizures.

Could It Be Vestibular Disease?

Vestibular disease affects the body's balance system.

Owners often describe these episodes by saying:

• "It looked like my dog had a stroke."

Dogs with vestibular disease may:

• Suddenly lose their balance
• Fall to one side
• Walk in circles
• Tilt their head
• Have rapid, flicking eye movements (nystagmus)
• Vomit from motion sickness

Unlike most generalized seizures, many dogs with vestibular disease remain conscious and aware of their surroundings.

Although they look frightened, they often recognize their owners and respond normally.

Tremors Aren't Always Seizures

Not all shaking is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

Dogs may develop tremors from:

• Pain
• Cold temperatures
• Fear or anxiety
• Certain toxins
• Muscle disorders
• Neurologic diseases
• "White shaker dog syndrome"
• Medication side effects

A dog with tremors is often awake, alert, and able to respond to your voice, which helps distinguish tremors from many generalized seizures.

Collapse Doesn't Always Mean Seizure

Dogs can collapse for many different reasons, including:

• Heart disease
• Heat stroke
• Severe anemia
• Internal bleeding
• Low blood sugar
• Shock
• Severe weakness
• Respiratory disease

Some of these conditions are every bit as serious as a seizure and require immediate veterinary attention.

That's one reason we encourage owners not to assume every collapse is epilepsy.

Could It Be a Stroke?

Many owners immediately worry about a stroke when their dog suddenly collapses or loses coordination.

While strokes can occur in dogs, they are much less common than many people realize.

Dogs with strokes often develop:

• Sudden loss of balance
• Weakness on one side
• Abnormal eye movements
• Difficulty walking
• Head tilt
• Changes in awareness

Some strokes can cause seizures, but many do not.

Because the signs can overlap, a veterinary examination is essential.

What Veterinarians Look For

When reviewing an episode, we're paying attention to details that owners often don't realize are important.

For example:

• Did your dog lose consciousness?
• Did they fall onto their side?
• Were all four legs moving?
• Was the movement rhythmic or random?
• Did they urinate or defecate?
• Were they responsive if you called their name?
• How long did the episode last?
• How long did recovery take?
• Were they blind or confused afterward?
• What were they doing immediately before it happened?

These seemingly small details can completely change the list of possible diagnoses.

The Power of a Video

If your dog has another episode and it is safe to do so, record a video before rushing to stop the event.

I know that advice can feel strange.

Our instinct is to immediately comfort our pets.

But a 20- or 30-second video often answers questions that hours of testing cannot.

It allows your veterinarian to evaluate:

• Body position
• Muscle movements
• Eye position
• Responsiveness
• Breathing
• Duration
• Recovery

That information can dramatically speed up diagnosis and help us choose the most appropriate testing and treatment.

If someone else is with you, one person can comfort your dog and keep them safe while the other records the episode.

From My Exam Room

Some of the most valuable "diagnostic tests" I've ever received weren't blood tests or MRI scans.

They were cell phone videos.

I've had owners apologize because the video was shaky or only captured part of the episode.

Please don't worry about making it perfect.

A blurry, thirty-second video has helped me diagnose seizures, fainting episodes, vestibular disease, movement disorders, and toxin exposures that would have been much harder to identify from memory alone.

If your dog ever has another episode, keeping them safe will always come first.

But if it's safe to do so, don't underestimate the value of pressing the record button.

That one video could provide the clue that leads us to the right diagnosis and gets your dog the care they need much more quickly.