Features

• Seizures often present in stages that are subtle in some dogs and more distinct in others. These are the prodome stage, aura stage, ictus stage and post ictus stage.
  
  

Prodome

• During this stage dogs tend to develop behavioral changes and mood swings, generally days or hours in advance of the seizure. Not all owners are able to notice this stage.
  
  

Aura

• This stage takes place just prior to the seizure, producing much more distinct signs. Your dog might appear restless and nervous, and might whine, tremble, pace, hide, run, urinate and drool.
  
  

Ictus

• The ictus is the actual seizure. Your dog might show strong muscle contractions, lose bladder and/or bowel control, paddle her legs, salivate and gnash her teeth.
  
  

Post Ictus

• After the seizure, your dog might act as if nothing happened or he might appear confused, disoriented, thirsty, sleepy and might even suffer from temporary blindness. This might last for minutes or days.
  
  

Considerations

• Not all seizures produce the same symptoms. There are also partial seizures, in which a dog does not lose consciousness and remains aware of her surroundings, and psychomotor seizures, in which a dog undergoes behavioral changes or snaps her jaws at imaginary flies.