PAWS ON DECK
FIRST AID
Seizure / Convulsions
SEIZURE — ACT NOW
If someone is with you, ask them to contact a veterinarian while you start the steps below.
SIGNS OF A SEIZURE
● sudden uncontrolled shaking or jerking
● stiffening of the body
● paddling movements of the legs
● collapse or loss of awareness
● drooling or frothing at the mouth
● repeated chewing or jaw movements
● loss of bladder or bowel control
● twitching affecting part of the face or body
● staring or appearing suddenly unaware of surroundings
FIRST AID CARD —
SEIZURE
DOG SEIZURE — FIRST AID
CHECK — SEIZURE SIGNS
- Shaking / jerking or stiffening
- Paddling / collapse
- Loss of awareness
- Drooling / jaw movements
ASSESS — CHECK FOR DANGER
- Clear nearby hazards
- Do not move your dog unless the area is unsafe
PROTECT — DO NOT RESTRAIN
- Remove muzzle
- Do not hold your dog down
- Cushion the head if on a hard surface
- Keep hands / objects away from mouth
- No food, water or oral medication
KEEP COOL & QUIET
- Check temperature - damp cloth on groin / paw pads if hot
- Keep surroundings quiet
- Dim bright lights
- Cool + ventilated area
- Do not wrap in a blanket
TIME & MANAGE
- Start timing the seizure
- >2 min → contact veterinarian urgently
- ≥5 min → life-threatening emergency- prepare to travel
- Prescribed seizure medicine only
RECHECK — HAS IT STOPPED?
- Check breathing + responsiveness
- Prevent falls / wandering
- Allow recovery
- Unresponsive / not breathing normally → GO TO CPR
CHECK — SEIZURE SIGNS
- Shaking / jerking or stiffening
- Paddling, collapse or loss of awareness
- Drooling / frothing or repeated jaw movements
- Twitching, staring or suddenly unaware
ASSESS — CHECK FOR DANGER
- Look for stairs, edges, traffic, open water or sharp objects
- Clear hazards from around your dog
- Only move your dog if the current location is unsafe
PROTECT — DO NOT RESTRAIN
- Do not hold your dog down
- Remove any muzzle they are wearing
- If on a hard surface, carefully cushion the head if you can do so safely
- Keep hands and objects away from the mouth
- Do not give food, water or oral medication while actively seizing
KEEP QUIET & COOL
- Prolonged seizures can dangerously raise body temperature
- Check temperature- Use cool damp cloth on groin / padded paws if needed
- Keep surroundings quiet
- Dim bright lights where practical
- Keep the area cool and well ventilated
- Do not wrap your dog in a blanket
TIME & MANAGE
- Start a timer as soon as you can
- If safe, record a short video for the veterinarian
- >2 min → contact a veterinarian urgently
- ≥5 min → life-threatening emergency - prepare to travel as soon as possible
- Use prescribed emergency seizure medication only according to your veterinarian's plan
RECHECK — HAS IT STOPPED?
- Check breathing + responsiveness
- Keep surroundings quiet
- Prevent falls or wandering into hazards
- Allow time to recover
- Unresponsive / not breathing normally → GO TO CPR
SEIZURE STOPPED
Follow the POST-SEIZURE — STABLE FOR NOW? steps below.
SEIZURE CONTINUES / REPEATS
Keep timing, comfortable & cool
>2 min → contact veterinarian urgently.
≥5 min, or restarts → life-threatening emergency.
UNRESPONSIVE / NOT BREATHING
MOVE TO CPR / RESUSCITATION
CHECK BREATHING
Make sure your dog is breathing normally and beginning to respond.
OBSERVE RECOVERY
Watch responsiveness, ability to stand or walk, and any further seizure activity.
WHAT YOU MAY SEE
Confusion, unsteadiness, wandering, restlessness, temporary vision changes, tiredness, thirst or hunger may occur.
GET URGENT HELP IF
Another seizure occurs, breathing becomes abnormal, your dog does not recover between seizures, remains unresponsive or worsens.
CONTACT
Contact a veterinarian or remote veterinary service. Tell them a seizure occurred and how long it lasted.
MONITOR
Watch breathing, responsiveness, recovery and any further seizure activity.
RECORD
Record start/end time, duration, what you observed, repeat seizures, first aid and prescribed medication given.
If a video was safely recorded, tell the veterinarian it is available.
PLAN
Plan the safest practical route to veterinary care. Consider transport, distance, communications, conditions and backup options.
CAT SEIZURE — FIRST AID
CHECK — SEIZURE SIGNS
- Shaking / jerking or stiffening
- Paddling / collapse
- Loss of awareness
- Drooling / jaw movements
ASSESS — CHECK FOR DANGER
- Clear nearby hazards
- Do not move your cat unless the area is unsafe
PROTECT — DO NOT RESTRAIN
- Remove muzzle
- Do not hold your cat down
- Cushion the head if on a hard surface
- Keep hands / objects away from mouth
- No food, water or oral medication
KEEP COOL & QUIET
- Check temperature - damp cloth on groin / paw pads if hot
- Keep surroundings quiet
- Dim bright lights
- Cool + ventilated area
- Do not wrap in a blanket
TIME & MANAGE
- Start timing the seizure
- >2 min → contact veterinarian urgently
- ≥5 min → life-threatening emergency- prepare to travel
- Prescribed seizure medicine only
RECHECK — HAS IT STOPPED?
- Check breathing + responsiveness
- Prevent falls / wandering
- Allow recovery
- Unresponsive / not breathing normally → GO TO CPR
CHECK — SEIZURE SIGNS
- Shaking / jerking or stiffening
- Paddling, collapse or loss of awareness
- Drooling / frothing or repeated jaw movements
- Twitching, staring or suddenly unaware
ASSESS — CHECK FOR DANGER
- Look for stairs, edges, traffic, open water or sharp objects
- Clear hazards from around your cat
- Only move your cat if the current location is unsafe
PROTECT — DO NOT RESTRAIN
- Do not hold your cat down
- Remove any muzzle they are wearing
- If on a hard surface, carefully cushion the head if you can do so safely
- Keep hands and objects away from the mouth
- Do not give food, water or oral medication while actively seizing
KEEP QUIET & COOL
- Prolonged seizures can dangerously raise body temperature
- Check temperature- Use cool damp cloth on groin / padded paws if needed
- Keep surroundings quiet
- Dim bright lights where practical
- Keep the area cool and well ventilated
- Do not wrap your cat in a blanket
TIME & MANAGE
- Start a timer as soon as you can
- If safe, record a short video for the veterinarian
- >2 min → contact a veterinarian urgently
- ≥5 min → life-threatening emergency - prepare to travel as soon as possible
- Use prescribed emergency seizure medication only according to your veterinarian's plan
RECHECK — HAS IT STOPPED?
- Check breathing + responsiveness
- Keep surroundings quiet
- Prevent falls or wandering into hazards
- Allow time to recover
- Unresponsive / not breathing normally → GO TO CPR
SEIZURE STOPPED
Follow the POST-SEIZURE — STABLE FOR NOW? steps below.
SEIZURE CONTINUES / REPEATS
Keep timing, comfortable & cool
>2 min → contact veterinarian urgently.
≥5 min, or restarts → life-threatening emergency.
UNRESPONSIVE / NOT BREATHING
MOVE TO CPR / RESUSCITATION
CHECK BREATHING
Make sure your cat is breathing normally and beginning to respond.
OBSERVE RECOVERY
Watch responsiveness, ability to stand or walk, and any further seizure activity.
WHAT YOU MAY SEE
Confusion, unsteadiness, wandering, restlessness, temporary vision changes, tiredness, thirst or hunger may occur.
GET URGENT HELP IF
Another seizure occurs, breathing becomes abnormal, your cat does not recover between seizures, remains unresponsive or worsens.
CONTACT
Contact a veterinarian or remote veterinary service. Tell them a seizure occurred and how long it lasted.
MONITOR
Watch breathing, responsiveness, recovery and any further seizure activity.
RECORD
Record start/end time, duration, what you observed, repeat seizures, first aid and prescribed medication given.
If a video was safely recorded, tell the veterinarian it is available.
PLAN
Plan the safest practical route to veterinary care. Consider transport, distance, communications, conditions and backup options.
