health & safety

Little dogs often have special dietary and nutritional needs that other dogs don’t require, so it’s essential for dog owners to know if little dogs are allergic to foods such as poultry. Though they are small, little dogs may need more calories per pound than larger dogs due to their higher metabolic rate in their youth and potential health problems as they age. As a result, it’s essential to be aware of any food issues with your little dog in order to avoid long-term problems.

Are little dogs allergic to poultry? Little dogs can be allergic to poultry, among other proteins. In general, dogs require a range of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Dogs need grains, fruits, vegetables, and meat for a balanced diet, which is why commercial dog foods are popular among dog owners. However, pet owners should be aware of potential allergies to poultry and poultry-based products in case their little dogs develop allergic symptoms.

Little dogs are fun, wonderful companions. However, they vary greatly from other dogs in the care that they require—especially when it comes to their diet. Therefore, it’s essential for dog owners to be familiar with potential food allergies to proteins such as poultry in dog food, and how these allergies present as symptoms. This way, any potential allergic reaction can be addressed for the health, safety, and comfort of your little dog.

In general, a little dog is considered to weigh less than 22 pounds or measure in height under 16 inches. Within the overall category of little dogs are breeds that are much lighter and shorter or a little heavier and taller.

Some of the most common breeds of little dogs are:

• Beagle
• Yorkshire terrier
• Dachshund
• Shih Tzu
• Chihuahua
• French bulldog
• Pomeranian

Certain breeds of little dogs may have specific nutritional concerns. Therefore, it’s important to consult your veterinarian for advice about nutritional risks based on the breed, age, or existing health conditions of your dog.

Like humans, dogs are at risk of having abnormal reactions to food. However, food allergies present themselves differently when it comes to dogs. An allergy in terms of diet describes an immunologic reaction to food allergens and requires previous exposure to the allergen for symptoms to present themselves. In dogs, the allergy is usually expressed through the skin and seen most often as itching.

Dogs can present food allergy symptoms before they are even a year old, but allergies can develop at any time. Some symptoms of food allergies in dogs may include:

• Non-seasonal itching involving the whole body
• Non-seasonal itching focused on the ears and feet
• Chronic or recurring ear and skin infections
• Vomiting, diarrhea, excessive gas

Food allergies actually take time to develop, which is why they can be difficult to diagnose. For example, a dog may have been eating food with allergens for quite some time before symptoms present themselves.

Dogs with food allergies are usually allergic to proteins from animal and/or plant-based ingredients in their diet. When these proteins are broken down into molecules, the dog’s immune system misidentifies them as potential threats. Beef, wheat, dairy, and chicken are the most common products that create food allergies in dogs.

When it comes to pet food, poultry can mean fresh meat (as in fresh poultry, deboned poultry, freshly prepared poultry) or pre-prepared, dry meat meal (poultry meal, dried poultry, dehydrated poultry). If an ingredient in dog food is listed simply as “poultry,” then it generally refers to the fresh form.

Poultry does provide a good quality, relatively low-cost source of protein that is tasty to most dogs. The category of poultry can include products from domestic fowls such as chicken, duck, or turkey. However, since many dog food companies don’t specify which animal species “poultry” in general comes from, many canine nutritionists find it too ambiguous.

Using such a general term can allow the manufacturer to change the recipe among batches, which makes it difficult to identify specific food allergens for dogs. In addition, the quality of poultry used in pet foods can vary considerably.

The most common allergy symptom that your little dog may display in response to chicken as a food allergen is itchy skin. Pet owners may notice their dog licking and scratching his head, neck, ears, and limbs. Such excessive licking and scratching can lead to lesions or even hair/fur loss. In addition, your dog’s eyes may become irritated, and he may get frequent ear infections or experience digestive issues.

Unfortunately, many food allergy symptoms in little dogs present in the same manner as respiratory or insect bite allergies. This can make it challenging to narrow down the cause of the allergic reaction. However, there are some methods to figuring out if your little dog is suffering from a poultry allergy.

For example, food allergies occur at any time of the year, unlike seasonal or environmental allergies. In addition, medications such as antihistamines and corticosteroids used to treat other types of allergies are ineffective when it comes to food allergies.

If you suspect your little dog has a food allergy, and poultry, in particular, your vet may implement an elimination diet which would include removing poultry and any products containing poultry from your dog’s diet.

Along with other dietary instructions, the elimination diet can illustrate whether poultry is the cause of the allergic reaction in your little dog if allergy symptoms return once poultry is re-introduced. If there is no improvement in symptoms, the process should be repeated for a different ingredient.

If it’s confirmed that your little dog is allergic to poultry, you can make changes to her diet. You can feed her foods that were well-tolerated during the elimination diet trial period and eliminate what wasn’t tolerated well.

Unfortunately, over time, dogs tend to become allergic to foods that they eat regularly. To avoid this, some professionals recommend varying a dog’s diet every two to three months in order to prevent a food allergy from developing. Another option is to consider commercially made hypoallergenic dog food, which generally doesn’t contain additives, artificial flavorings, or colorings.

Some pet owners decide to prepare homemade meals for their little dogs in order to be in control of what goes into their food. However, especially with little dogs, it’s essential to consult a pet nutritionist or veterinarian to ensure you are providing a balanced and healthy diet.

As with any care that you provide your canine, supplying safe and nutritious food is an essential part of being a pet owner. Most people associate their veterinarians with medical care for their animals. However, your dog’s individual vet can be a great resource for advice about feeding and allergies as well. Your veterinarian can recommend food products, brands, and other information to ensure the safe feeding and best diet for your dog, which can reduce your stress level as a pet owner.

There are many online sources that offer advice and demonstrations as to how to safely feed your dog. However, dogs vary widely when it comes to their age and breed requirements, specific dietary needs, allergies, and what is best for them as individuals. For these reasons, your dog’s veterinarian is a far better resource for consultation and expertise. The only person who potentially knows your dog as well as you do would be your vet.

If you suspect that your little dog has any food allergies, it’s important to make a visit to the vet as soon as possible to identify the problem. By consulting your personal veterinarian, you can be certain that you are providing the best care for your pet, especially when it comes to their dietary needs and safety.

It can be heart-stopping frightening when a big dog attacks a little dog. Knowing what to do in the situation can save your life and your pet’s.

5 things to do when a big dog attacks a little dog?

• Remain as calm as you can to not excite the attacking dog further.
• Don’t act aggressively toward an attacking dog if you can help it.
• Scoop up your small dog and hold them safely in your arms if you can.
• Use a strong, demanding voice to give the dog commands to leave.
• Avoid the situation altogether.

Whether you have the little dog or the big dog, there are several steps you should take to avoid and handle any attacking situation that presents itself. Be sure you focus first on the safety of your pet and yourself.

5 main things can be done if a big dog should attack a little dog. You’ll want to remain as calm as possible, avoid aggressive actions, scoop up your small dog or remove the big dog, use a strong command voice, or avoid the situation altogether.

If you start screaming, running, or otherwise add to the excitement of the whole situation, it isn’t going to deter the attacking dog, nor will it help to protect the little dog. Instead, it will add motivation to the whole ordeal by creating even more of a fuss over the fight. Just as a dog gets excited, the more you spread the anticipation over a ball throw, it will further the anticipation and even the motivation of the attack. Instead, be as non-threatening but authoritative as you can be.

Just as remaining calm will help the situation, not adding to the attacking dog’s desire to attack will also benefit the situation. When you act aggressively toward an attacking dog, such as kicking at it, throwing rocks, yelling, trying to push them away, or even running toward or from the dog, it will cause them to also become violently defensive.

A dog that had been excited and possibly not violently aggressive about the small dog will then switch tactics, and the situation can go from okay to bad to life-threatening in an instant. An excited dog is one thing, but a dog who is already in a frenzy, now feeling like they are threatened, can be deadly.

If you can, you should scoop up your small dog and hold them in your arms. It will protect them, calm them, and maybe even deter the aggressive, big dog. However, sometimes this won’t be enough, and the attacking dog may try to then attack you or still fight to grab the small dog.

If you are the owner of the large dog, you should do what you can to regain control over your dog. This means grabbing their leash, lead, or collar, trying to command them to come back to your side so you can leave with them immediately, or otherwise forcefully removing them from the situation if you can do so safely.

It is even more important to stay as calm as you can and not violently react, as it could end up causing even more damage. Instead, you may want to call for help either on the phone or from nearby people, and try the next suggestion:

Your voice should be firm, strong, and as non-hysterical as you can muster. A deep, authoritative command can often cause the attacking dog to stop in their tracks if they’ve had any type of behavioral or social training. If anything, it can cause them to pause or slow down their pursuit so you can catch up to them and regain control.

If you have a small dog and aren’t familiar with the large dogs in the area, avoid the area unless they are secure, and you are sure it is safe. Places like dog parks are most often attended by animals who have been properly trained, but even then, some owners are careless, and it could cause the unthinkable to happen if you aren’t cautious.

Training is the very first step to prevent this from happening, as is knowing the environment in which your animal will adventure into. This can be a dog park, your city block, and even your backyard. Preventative steps should include:

• Training, as mentioned above. Behavioral and social training are important when your dog is going to be around any other living beings, no matter the species or size. You dog’s reactions, actions, and behavior aren’t going to be known beforehand without properly preparing them and yourself for each of these occurrences. Consider a trainer if you aren’t equipped to handle the training yourself.
• Know your area. Learn about the laws of your state, the rules of each venue, the common practices around each park, and your neighbor’s animal’s habits before you are lax with your dog.
• Fence in your yard to prevent them getting loose and attacking someone or something or being attacked or hit by a vehicle.
• Give them a proper outlet for their energy. Sometimes, the large dog running to your little dog may just be excited for a new friend and is over the moon with excitement. It can be alarming but unharmful. However, a dog who has not had an outlet for their energy is far more likely to behave like this, and it could lead to a dangerous situation should the excitement be mistaken, or should the small dog react negatively to the sudden stimulation.
• Seek or help others seek medical attention should an attack happen, and injuries occur. This means doctors, hospitals, vets, calling emergency services like 911 or animal control, or locating your first aid kit. If your dog is the one who attacked the other animal or person, be prepared to answer questions such as immunization history and so on.
• Don’t let them off the leash again without proven training that the situation will not arise again if your dog has previously attacked another dog. Even so, consider not letting them off at all unless it is in your own, private, properly fenced-in yard.

As scary as the situation can be, try to react calmly and make a conscious effort not to be aggressive. However, if your effort is not working and your lives are in danger, do not be afraid to fight back as needed and use all your strength and ability to do so in order to make sure that you and your pet aren’t severely hurt.

Be sure that if your dog is the one who attacked, that you follow all the requests given by the police or medical personnel and seek training and help for your aggressive dog. One outburst does not mean that you have a bad dog, it just means that they need more extensive preparing for their freedom and may not be able to be without a leash for a long time, or ever.

It should be no surprise that dogs like people need to not only eat a balanced diet but also eat in moderation. Too much and they become overweight, too little become lethargic and underweight. Little dogs especially, since a lot of owners might not have the ability to walk their little dogs every day or might not have the space, as most small dog owners have an apartment or some sort of small house with little room. Therefore lack the needed exercise to burn off calories consumed. There are many factors to take into consideration besides the weight and size of the dog. Although we don’t need to be 100 percent precise it does help to have a good idea of how much small dogs should eat.

The basic amount of food small dogs should eat range from 110 grams or 3.88 ounces to 224 grams or 7.9 ounces. This will depend on the number of calories in the dog food you are using, as well as the age, weight, activity level of your small dog, who should range somewhere between 10 pounds and 25 pounds.

On average dog food tends to have between 350 and 400 calories per cup, which equals about 128 grams or 4.5 ounces. For a quicker and easier on the eye look at how much food you should be giving to your dog I’ve created a simple chart as a rough guide for you.

Remember that these numbers may change depending on many factors. After all, just like it happens with humans, they are supposed to burn the ingested calories and then eat some more. That’s why it is recommended that portions are divided into two or three meals throughout the day.

Dog’s activity and appetite vary according to age. Senior dogs (8 years and over) will probably move a lot less than active and working adult dogs. As a result, they require a lesser amount of calories or food. They may also lose a little muscle weight and their metabolism may begin to slow down.

Although it is normal that they eat a lesser amount, it doesn’t mean that they completely stop eating. If something like this does happen then a visit to your local vet might be in order. Having said that, age does diminish a dog’s appetite and may require special vitamins to help them deal with arthritis, joint pain, and other conditions that might arise.

Similarly, puppies have different dietary needs. Puppies usually need to eat 4 times a day which can be brought down to 3 times a day after the 4th or 5th month. It is recommended to start feeding them twice a day after they have reached the one year mark. It should go without saying this doesn’t mean feeding them a full meal 3 or 4 times a day using the table above. You will need to divide the suggested meal into however many portions you’ll need for the day.

It is important to remember that puppies are constantly growing. If they are eating a little more than planned, it is normal. However, they should always compensate with the same amount of exercise. So, if your puppy is eating more than it should, try to get him to play and go out for a walk. That will get some extra energy and make him/her burn those extra calories.

It is always important to take into account the specific dog food brand and the product you are feeding your dog -in case you don’t cook for your dog. The reason is simple. They all have different contents and, as they are smaller than us, little amounts can influence their whole lifestyle.

In most cases, you can check out this number in the nutritional facts chart located in the back of the product. Just read the calorie content it provides per each cup and portion it adequately depending on your dog’s weight and activity.

If either of these two is different than your regular numbers, check out an online dog feeding calculator like this one at dogfoodadvisor.com and get a specific result or you may use it as a reference to know how much you should feed your dog.

This last option will tell you the minimum amount of dog food you should give your dog in case your products have a lower amount of calories or the top amount, in case the dog food you use has more calories than the ones in the chart.

Alternatively you could feed your dog with regular food. In that case you will need to take into account that there are ingredients you cannot use. Your dog’s diet would be very similar to the calorie count of any other person. The difference is that your dog will consume from 200 to 600 calories depending on your buddy’s specific weight.

If this is your case and you want to know your dog’s specific amount of calories, then the calculation is very simple. Take into consideration that “X” is your dog’s weight and this proportion only works for dogs with regular activity.

X * 600/25= The number of calories you should serve.

We consume calories every day and ideally need to spend those calories, this is no different for dogs. The difference is that unlike us, they will spend calories whether we want to or not. So it is important to keep in mind how active your little dogs is.

For example, it is not the same to have a senior older dog who predominantly stays at home than a working or hunting dog who is very active burning calories. Senior dogs or dogs that may not be as active or able to burn calories will spend far less energy than the latter because they are not performing as many actions. As a result, they don’t need to consume the same amount of food, and they probably won’t.

Let’s take a look at the types of dogs there are according to the activities they regularly perform:

Senior and inactive dogs are placed in the same category because they all have something in common. They don’t have regular amounts of activity. So, it is difficult for them to spend energy and, therefore, they don’t require as much food as other active dogs. A large amount of small dog owners fall into this category. This is not due to neglect rather due to lifestyle, especially for owners who are perhaps retired or they themselves are less active.

Ponyo tired from after his walk

A large portion of small dogs owners have small dogs due to restrictions on where we live. Apartments, units, flats, small houses with little to no backyards are far better suited to smaller dogs than their counterparts. Therefore they don’t get the exercise or freedom of running around in a large backyard or field like larger dogs might. Our little dog, Ponyo (instagram link), is fortunate to have a small backyard to run around in. However it’s essential for us that we walk him every day to get some exercise. Most of the time he gets to be off his leash at the big park or even at the beach. Occasionally that’s not possible and we simply have a walk. I would guess depending on where you live walking might be your only option. Whist this is great that your little dog is getting some exercise they aren’t burning as much as they would if they were running around free at a park.

To put it simply, whilst going for a walk and run is exercise, one burns far my calories than the other, and this might be worth considering when measuring out the food quantities for your little dog.

It is probably a good idea to mention retirees, and seniors with little to no activity. As it is quite common for seniors to have small dogs to keep them company, and such great and loving company they are, their amount of activity should also be considered. Seniors and retirees for whatever reason might not be able to take their dogs out for walks. Maybe the most activity that is possible for themselves and their little dog is walking around their house or apartment. If that is the case the suggested dietary requirement would undoubtedly be lower than more active dogs.

Even though it’s not the same as senior dogs, it is pretty common to find overweight dogs, especially in the US. As dogs get overweight, they tend to reduce their activity levels because it gets more difficult for them. Your dog’s ideal weight will show the following features:

– Ribs are easily palpable and there is no excess of fat covering

– The waist is behind the ribs when looked from above

– From the side, the abdomen is tucked up

If your dog seems a little bit chubby from these points of view, your dog may be overweight and he or she probably doesn’t get enthusiastic when it comes to exercising. You may want to talk to your vet about getting your buddy into diet and changing some habits to increase your activity levels.

These are dogs that are not too thin but not overweight either. These dogs tend to have enough amount of exercise for their size and they have regular amounts of activity throughout the day. However, they are not used for specific or special duties.

The age and breed is a relevant factor here. If you have a small dog but your buddy is a medium or large breed, then the way you feed him/her will be different than having a small adult breed.

In case you have a small adult breed, you should feed your buddy at least twice a day. However, three times will be much better. The regular food intake will increase your dog’s metabolism and improve their overall health. Also, remember that the amounts presented in the chart refer to the daily intake, so those amounts are meant to be divided throughout the day.

Ponyo taking a nana nap after a meal.

On the other hand, puppies or growing dogs that happen to be small should be fed differently. In most cases, it is preferred that their food intake is split into four meals and even five, depending on the breed, until it should slowly be taken down to three meals after at least the one year mark. If they are too young, you probably shouldn’t feed them with food just yet. Always ask your trusted vet in this last scenario.

The way your dog feeds is important to avoid thinness or overweight, which are two incredibly important factors for their health. In that sense, calculate the amount of food your buddy should eat considering the activity level, the weight, the dog food you use and the age of your dog.

Also, remember to divide the amount over the day and make some changes in their habits if necessary. This will improve their metabolism, increase their internal defenses and even make them happier.

You know if you eat too much junk food, your stomach is going to hurt. Most likely this is from bloat, a rapid build-up of gas in your digestive system. It’s really uncomfortable and painful and something you probably want to avoid. Even though it is a painful discomfort to humans, it normally will go away on its own with time. This isn’t true for small dogs. In some cases, bloat can be fatal to small dogs or any dog in general.

Dogs have a similar digestive system to humans. Depending on what you eat, you probably tend to get bloated. Well, your small dog is the same way. This can cause pain and discomfort for your dog but it can also be life-threatening so it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of bloat. It is also important to know what to do if your dog is bloated and how you can prevent it.

Bloating is more common in larger dogs because of their body shape. They are long and have a barrel-shaped chest. As they grow older, their ligaments that hold the stomach get weaker thus, causing bloat. Just because a dog isn’t big doesn’t mean that they won’t experience bloat. Small dogs like Dachshunds, small terrier breeds, and Yorkies have all been known to become bloated. Being aware of what causes this is important because it could possibly help prevent bloat in your small dog.

It has been said that genetics can play a large part in instances in bloat in dogs. If a dog has a parent, brother, sister, or even their own offspring who had suffered from torsion, it is more likely to be susceptible to the same disease. If you know that your dog has a family history of this, it is defiantly something you should keep a lookout for.

The age of the dog is a risk factor for bloat in small dogs. As stated above, as a dog ages, its stomach muscles become weaker and are more susceptible to torsion related to bloat as the dog ages. If your dog is getting up there in age, be sure you know the symptoms of bloat and make sure you talk to your vet about ways to prevent it.

Small dogs who are highly stressed and anxious tend to get bloat more often than those who are more happy-go-lucky.

For dogs that gulp their food and stuff it down quickly, it is more likely that they will experience bloat. If you feed your dog one big meal, once per day, they will probably gobble it up quickly without taking breaths. This gulping in air will lead to bloat. To avoid this, give your dog smaller, more frequent meals to cut down the speed in which they eat.

A dog’s diet plays are large role in preventing bloat. Dry dog food that is high in fat has an increased risk of causing bloat in dogs than those with a higher percentage of rendered meat in them. Also, dry dog food that is high in citric acid has a very high impact on the prevalence of bloat in dogs. Alternatively, small dogs who eat canned dog food or prepared food seemed to have a decreased risk of bloat.

You don’t feel great if you go for a run right after or before eating. Your stomach isn’t ready for food. Well, neither is a dog’s. To decrease the risk of bloat in small dogs (or large for that matter), do not feed them before or after a walk or run. Exercising with a belly full of food can cause bloat and torsion. Give them enough time to cool down after exercise. This will give all of their muscles, especially their stomach muscles a chance to rest.

There are a few things you can’t prevent such as age, size, and genetics of a dog. However, if your small dog is at risk for bloat, there are some precautions you can take. As listed above, feed your dog smaller, more frequent meals to cut down on the speed of eating.

• Feed them healthy foods by either giving them canned food or food you prepare for them at home. If you must give them dry food, make sure it doesn’t have a high fat or citric acid content.

• Don’t allow your dog to eat if it has been out running. Alternatively, don’t take them out for any type of exercise if they have recently eaten.

• If your vet has determined that your dog might be more at risk for bloat, follow the vet’s orders on how to prevent it. They may be able to give you medication to give to your dog to decrease those risks.

If a dog’s stomach becomes too bloated it will push up against the diaphragm and cause breathing problems for the dog. The bloating can also prevent the flow of blood to the heart. While bloating in humans isn’t a serious problem, it defiantly is for dogs. If you notice any of these signs and symptoms in your dog, it is important to seek medical attention right away. It doesn’t take long for bloat to become a life-threatening situation for your small dog so professional help is essential.

Try to imagine how you look and feel when you are bloated. Your stomach is a bit hard and distended and you are in pain. If your dog has a bloated and distended abdomen and is acting like it is in pain, this might be a good sign that it is bloated. They also might drool and pant more than usual.

A major sign to look out for is if your dog is trying to vomit but nothing is coming up. This can indicate that the bloat has cause torsion and the stomach is unable to release the liquid in their stomach. If it isn’t torsion, the stomach might just be so bloated that it is blocking any vomit that is trying to expel the body.

If you notice any of these signs or symptoms in your dog, it is very important to get medical help right away. Even a few hours can make a difference between life and death for your little dog. Bloating is a very serious condition in dogs and you can not “wait and see” if it gets better like you can with humans.

There are no home remedies for bloat in dogs. If the bloating has already happened, it is too late to do anything about it from home. Get them to a vet as soon as possible. If it is after hours for your regular vet, get them to an emergency vet right away.

Once at the vet, they will run tests and do X-rays to determine the severity of the bloat. Once determined that bloat is the cause of the problem, surgery is the only way to treat your dog. They must surgically go into the abdomen and untwist the stomach and then suture it to the abdomen wall. Sadly, even with treatment, not all dogs will recover from bloat. However, if a dog does survive the surgery, they will most likely recover and be back to the old self soon.

The prognosis is worse for dogs who have been bloated for longer. The sooner they see the vet, the better chance of survival. If you notice any symptoms of bloat, get them to a vet as soon as possible. As stated above, do not take a wait and see approach. This will not get better on its own.

If your dog is more susceptible to bloat, then be sure to take the steps to prevent it from happening. There are certain types of surgeries that can be done for at-risk dogs to prevent torsion. However, if you want to avoid surgery, there are other ways to help prevent bloat.

Feed them a healthy diet that includes prepared food or canned food. Do not feed them food that is high in fat or citric acid. When they do eat, do not feed them one large meal. Give them smaller meals throughout the day or leave the food dish out for them to snack on.

Be sure they have plenty of drinking water at all times. If you have an anxious dog, try to keep them calm. Do not let little dogs run around and then come eat and do not take them for walks right after a meal.

The thought of losing your little dog to bloat is a scary thought so you want to do whatever you can to avoid this situation. Talk to your vet about the best preventative measures you should be taking to avoid bloat in your small dogs.

While their digestive tracts are similar to humans, things are a bit more compact in their bodies. In humans, our digestive tracts go with the flow of gravity so food can digest easier for us. This isn’t the case for dogs. If a small dog experiences bloat, the amount of bloat can cause the stomach to rotate and create torsion. This can be extremely dangerous and will require emergency surgery or, if the dog is in too much shock, require the dog to be put down.

Dogs are our best friends. They love us unconditionally so if they become ill most dog owners would do whatever they could to help them feel better. When a small dog has a seizure it can be scary for both the dog and owner but as frightening as it can be, it’s a common occurrence in dogs and treatment is available.

There can be many reasons why seizures can occur in dogs but one of the most common is that it’s an inherited disorder, called idiopathic epilepsy. This type of epilepsy is caused by a mutation in a certain gene that’s been inherited from one of the dog’s parents. Certain dog breeds are more susceptible to this disease than others. Small dog breeds such as beagles, dachshunds, and keeshonds have been shown to have an increase in idiopathic epilepsy. A diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy is done by process of elimination. Certain tests and blood work are performed in order to rule out other diseases. The veterinarian will also greatly rely on the dog owner’s description of the seizure. For example, they’ll question how the dog acted beforehand, how long was the seizure, or what happened afterward. All these details will help the vet determine what happened and the best course of action to take. Seizures can be very minor, twitching of the face or leg, to major, severe convulsions or loss of consciousness. This can last anywhere from several seconds to a few minutes. Any seizure feels like it’s lasting a lifetime it’s important to keep focus, keep your pet safe and give detailed information to the vet.

While idiopathic epilepsy is a common cause of seizures in little dogs, it’s not the only one. Certain environmental factors could also be the cause of some seizures. Different forms of medication or even certain plants and food have the ability to cause seizures in dogs.

Not only that but certain viral or bacterial infections are another factor to consider. Dogs contracting these infections would be treated with antibiotics which would most likely result in the end of any further seizure activity.

Seizures are caused by sudden, abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Having repeated seizures is called epilepsy. Seizures in dogs are generally classified as follows:

These seizures usually include the whole body convulsing or twitching. Dogs may lose consciousness as well. The seizures can last around a minute and the dog may be lethargic afterward as it recovers. Generalized seizures are the result of both sides of the brain misfiring.

A focal seizure can occur when a small part on one side of the brain misfires. Partial seizures are caused by some sort of trauma; brain infection, tumor, stroke or a head injury. The dog is usually conscious during these types of seizures and twitching or paddling on one side of the dog’s body or face is expected.

It can be very difficult and extremely upsetting to watch your pet have a seizure. The dog owner must remember to follow these steps to help keep the dog safe:

1. Make sure the dog is in a safe place. Check that there is nothing that will fall on him or that he’ll hit his head on anything.

2. Time the seizure. How long it lasts will be one of the first questions asked by the veterinarian. If possible, taking a video of the seizure will also help the vet with diagnosis and treatment plan. If the seizure is over five minutes, an emergency trip to the vet will be necessary. Keep in mind that if another seizure occurs within 24 hours it’s considered a cluster seizure and medical attention may be needed.

3. Remember to stay calm. Although it’s terrifying, the dog is not in pain, even if he’s making noises. It’s also probably worse for the pet owner to watch than for the dog to go through it.

4. Be aware that during the seizure the dog may lose his bladder and urinate or defecate. This is a common occurrence.

5. After the seizure is over the dog will need lots of comforting. He may seem confused. Talk to him in a soft tone and reassure him everything is alright.

It’s possible that a small dog may experience a single seizure and then never have another one. If that’s not the case there are ways to recognize when a seizure is about to happen. Recognizing the signs a dog’s about to have a seizure can help owners be ready to get their dog in a safe environment. Sometimes a few days or hours before a seizure occurs pet owners will notice changes in their dog’s behavior and personality. They may also notice that the dog becomes anxious or nervous, restless or consistently circling. These behaviors should be noted by pet owners and allow them to keep the dog in a safe place while also removing other pets from the room. A seizing dog will not only upset the owner but other pets as well and they may be more prone to attacking the dog.

Although having a pet that has no seizures is ultimately the best scenario, this doesn’t always happen. Dogs can live with seizures and continue to have a fulfilling life. Many treatments are available to help control seizures but it takes time and patience to find the right mix for many dogs.

The first thing to note is that medication will not cure the dog. Medicine is a form of treatment to help control seizures. Pet owners should be aware that it will be a lifelong commitment. It will hopefully decrease the frequency and severity of the seizures and that is considered a success.

Phenobarbital is the most common medication used to treat seizures in dogs. It can be given as a liquid or a small pill on a daily basis and is seen as a very effective drug. It’s inexpensive which usually makes it the first choice of pet owners and veterinarians. The first few days on the drug the dog may experience extreme sleepiness. As they get used to the dosage and build up a bit of tolerance this will pass. It may also increase thirst so be sure to have plenty of water on hand. Dogs on phenobarbital will need to have frequent tests on their liver. This medication can take its toll on the liver if used long-term so tests are needed regularly to monitor liver function.

The other most common drug to use is potassium bromide. Bromide is mixed with either potassium or sodium and mixed as a liquid. Because of this, it’s easy to adjust dosing. Potassium bromide may require more patience than other medications. It’s usually only given once a day but the results from it may take longer to notice due to its longer half-life, meaning the time it takes for the body to eliminate the drug. Extreme sleepiness is seen during the initial dosing, just like using phenobarbital, but will pass with time. When using potassium bromide higher doses may be necessary to control the seizures but these higher doses may also cause more side effects. Since potassium bromide can be more expensive than phenobarbital, it’s usually seen as the second choice of medication for both veterinarians and concerned pet owners.

Diazepam is another drug that’s prescribed for seizures. This drug may lose its effectiveness over time so it’s usually given to stop seizures in progress instead of a daily dosage to prevent seizures. It’s a liquid that needs to be injected so it may be difficult for dog owners to do but it can help prevent cluster seizures and save a trip to the emergency room.

Talking to a veterinarian about an epileptic dog’s diet may also be helpful. It has been found that people eating a diet very high in fat produce a state called ketosis that has shown to be helpful in reducing seizures. While this has been found to work in people, more research needs to be done on dogs but if done correctly, it may help. Any diet changes with an epileptic dog should first be run by a vet so it does not affect the benefits of the medication.

While a pet owner may have never envisioned a life with a dog that has seizures, take heart. Many dogs taking seizure medications can live happy, healthy lives. As an owner of such a special dog, it’s imperative to know the warning signs of seizures and what to do when one happens. Although it requires a commitment, daily medication can keep the dog healthy and hopefully limit the severity and frequency of seizures. Regular monitoring and discussions with the vet can keep the dosages at the appropriate limits and have the dog back to his normal self in no time. Continuing treatment while also giving the dog all the love possible will hopefully lessen the risk for seizures and give him the best life imaginable.