Toxic Seizures

by Sarah Arnette

Overview

Even well-supervised pets can manage to get into toxic trouble.

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Toxic seizures affect pets of any size, age or species. Even a well-supervised pet can ingest a toxic substance, which causes a toxic seizure.
Symptoms

Toxic seizures are events when the pet loses control of the muscles, causing convulsions. A loss of consciousness is often another sign of a toxic seizure. Foaming at the mouth during a seizure may also occur, but not all the time. Vomiting and dizziness may precede toxic seizures.

Causes

Ingesting a toxic substance causes toxic seizures. Toxic substances can include poisons designed for rodents, poisonous plants, antifreeze, venom from poisonous insect and animal bites and rotten foods. Some typical poisonous plants include English ivy, holly and poinsettias. Some poisonous animals include some snakes and insects such a spiders and scorpions.
Treatment

The first step of treating a toxic seizure is to get the pet to the veterinarian. The vet may administer active charcoal through a stomach tube, which slows the absorption of the toxin. After the charcoal treatment, the vet may recommend administering milk of magnesium. Additional treatment depends which toxin the pet ingested.
Prevention

Remove known toxins that are easily accessible to prevent accidental poisoning of pet. Identify what toxic animals and toxic products are around your home and tell the veterinarian which toxin you think your pet got into to aid in his diagnosis and treatment.
Safety

Do not attempt to restrain your pet during a toxic seizure. Never put your hand near the mouth of a seizing animal because it may bite because of the loss of control. If you must move your pet during the seizure, do so by the hind end, rather than the head. When the toxic seizure ends, take the pet immediately to the veterinarian.

Overview