Introduction
Many dog owners have witnessed their pooches twitching, chomping, or paddling during sleep and wondered: is that a seizure or just an intense dream? While the two behaviors may look similar at first glance, there are distinct differences between seizures and dreaming in dogs.
Seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain and often involve loss of consciousness, uncontrollable body movements, and other symptoms. Though frightening, seizures are relatively common in dogs, affecting up to 5% of the canine population. Dreams, on the other hand, occur during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and involve milder movements like twitching, paddling, whimpering, or growling.
This article will provide an in-depth look at the signs, causes, and risk factors for seizures versus normal dream behaviors in dogs. We’ll also offer guidance on when to seek emergency care for a possible seizure, as well as tips for managing seizure disorders. Our goal is to help dog owners understand the difference between seizures and dreams so they can respond appropriately.
Signs of a Seizure
There are several key signs to watch for that may indicate your dog is having a seizure, rather than simply dreaming.
The most obvious sign of a seizure is loss of consciousness. During a seizure, your dog will seem completely unaware of their surroundings and unresponsive. Their eyes may roll back in their heads and their body will become rigid. Your dog will be unable to respond to their name or commands.
Uncontrolled muscle movements are another clear indicator of a seizure. Your dog may stiffen, fall over on their side, chomp their jaws, paddle with all four limbs, or exhibit other involuntary muscle spasms they cannot control. This is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Some dogs may salivate or drool excessively during a seizure. You may see a thick string of saliva from their mouth. They may also urinate or defecate involuntarily when their muscles tense up.
If your dog displays any of these signs, especially the loss of consciousness and uncontrolled muscle movements, they are likely experiencing a seizure rather than just an active dream.
Signs of Dreaming
Dogs frequently move and vocalize in their sleep during periods of dreaming. Common signs of dreaming in dogs include:
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Twitching – Your dog may twitch their legs, tail, ears or other body parts as they dream. This is thought to be in response to imagined movements or actions from their dream.
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Whimpering/barking – Your dog may make vocalizations like whimpers, yips or barks while asleep. This often corresponds to dream activity.
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Running motions – You may notice your sleeping dog’s legs moving as if they are running or chasing something in their dream.
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Chewing – Some dogs will do an open-mouth chewing motion while dreaming, similar to nursing puppies.
These behaviors tend to be harmless responses to dream imagery and are generally nothing to worry about. Pay attention to the duration and frequency of nighttime activity, as excessive or prolonged sleep disturbances could signify an underlying health issue.
Causes of Seizures
Seizures in dogs are often caused by underlying conditions that result in abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Some of the most common causes of seizures include:
Epilepsy – Epilepsy is the most common cause of seizures in dogs. It is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. Epilepsy may be inherited or acquired as a result of other diseases, infections, injuries or conditions.
Metabolic Disorders – Metabolic disorders like low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), kidney disease, electrolyte imbalances, and liver disease can cause seizures. They disrupt normal brain cell metabolism and functioning.
Tumors – Tumors in the brain or elsewhere in the body can trigger seizures by putting pressure on brain tissue. Brain tumors like meningiomas, gliomas, and lymphomas are most often associated with seizures in dogs.
Poisoning – Ingestion of toxins like lead, pesticides, hexane and metaldehyde found in slug bait can cause seizures in dogs. Exposure to these toxins affects neurological functioning.
Triggers for Dreaming
Dogs tend to dream during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which is the deepest stage of sleep where dreaming occurs in many mammals including humans. There are several factors that can trigger a dreaming episode during REM sleep:
REM Sleep
REM sleep is when most vivid dreaming takes place. The brain is highly active during REM sleep even though the dog’s body is relaxed and muscles are inactive. This is thought to be when dogs process memories and information from the day, much like humans do.
Age
Puppies and younger dogs tend to have more active dreaming sleep. Their brains are developing rapidly and processing a lot of new information from their environment as they learn about the world.
Breed
Some breeds of dogs seem more prone to active dreaming than others. Working breeds such as Labradors and German Shepherds appear especially likely to dream frequently, perhaps because they have more information to process from training and stimulation during the day.
Risk Factors for Seizures in Dogs
Certain dogs are at increased risk for experiencing seizures. Some of the main risk factors include:
Age
Seizures most often affect dogs between 1-5 years old. This is typically when epilepsy first develops. Senior dogs, usually over the age of 8-9, can also experience seizures as part of cognitive dysfunction syndrome.
Breed
Some breeds are genetically prone to seizures and epilepsy. These include Beagles, Belgian Tervurens, Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Cocker Spaniels, St. Bernards, German Shepherds, Irish Setters, Keeshonds, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Poodles, Siberian Huskies, and Wire-haired Fox Terriers.
Other Medical Conditions
Dogs with other health issues like a brain tumor, encephalitis, metabolic disorders, kidney disease, liver disease, electrolyte imbalances, diabetes, and more may experience seizures. Certain medications and toxins can also lower a dog’s seizure threshold.
Managing Seizures
If your dog has been diagnosed with seizures, there are several things you can do at home to help manage them. Some of the most important steps include:
Emergency Treatment
If your dog is actively having a seizure:
- Stay calm and keep your dog in a safe area where they cannot fall or hurt themselves.
- Do not restrain your dog or put anything in their mouth.
- Note how long the seizure lasts – timing it can help the vet.
- Contact your vet or an emergency clinic if the seizure lasts more than a few minutes.
Medications
There are several medications vets may prescribe to help control seizures, such as:
- Phenobarbital and potassium bromide – commonly prescribed anti-convulsants.
- Diazepam or other benzodiazepines – for emergency treatment to stop a seizure promptly.
- Zonisamide, levetiracetam, or other newer drugs.
Work closely with your vet to find the safest and most effective medication protocol for your dog.
Lifestyle Changes
Make the following adjustments to help reduce triggers and stress:
- Feed scheduled meals instead of free-feeding.
- Ensure your dog maintains a healthy weight.
- Limit exposure to stimulants and toxins.
- Avoid excessive excitement, stress, and over-stimulation.
- Stick to a soothing but engaging routine.
Your vet may also recommend supplements to help control seizures in dogs, such as omega-3 fatty acids or antioxidants.
Interpreting Dreams
Dreams are a natural phenomenon that occur during REM sleep. While the exact purpose of dreaming is still debated, dreams are thought to help dogs process their daily experiences and form memories. Some common themes in dog dreams include:
Stress/Anxiety
Dogs may act out anxious or stressful dreams if they experienced something that overwhelmed them during the day, like loud noises from a storm. The dream allows the brain to process the fear and stress so your dog can move past it.
Processing Memories
Dreaming is important for memory consolidation. As your dog sleeps, his brain sorts through the day’s events, reinforces important memories, and discards irrelevant information. Vivid dreams may indicate your dog is actively filing away memories from the day.
Natural Sleep Phenomenon
Dreaming simply reflects that your dog is getting quality, restorative sleep. All mammals dream during REM sleep, which is crucial for healthy brain function. Don’t be concerned if you notice your dog dreaming – it’s a completely normal part of the sleep cycle.
When to Seek Help
If your dog experiences a first-time seizure, it’s important to take them to the vet as soon as possible. First seizures can indicate an underlying medical condition that requires treatment. Getting a prompt diagnosis and starting medication if needed can help manage seizures and improve your dog’s quality of life.
You should also seek immediate veterinary care if your dog has cluster seizures. Cluster seizures are multiple seizures within a 24-hour period. They can be life-threatening, so timely medical intervention is critical. Your vet may hospitalize your dog to run tests, administer medications, and monitor them until the seizures are under control.
Additionally, contact your vet right away if your dog has a severe seizure lasting more than 5 minutes or repeated seizures without fully recovering in between. Prolonged seizures can cause brain damage, respiratory arrest, and other serious complications. Your dog may need emergency care to stabilize their condition.
While scary, seizures don’t necessarily mean a poor prognosis for your dog. With proper treatment guided by your vet, many dogs go on to live happy, healthy lives. Being attentive and seeking help at the right times can make all the difference. Don’t hesitate to call your vet if your dog experiences anything out of the ordinary.
Conclusion
It can be scary as a dog owner to witness your furry friend experiencing a seizure or an intense dream. By recognizing key differences in signs and symptoms, you can better determine what your dog is going through.
Seizures often involve loss of consciousness, rigid muscle contractions, drooling, chomping, limb paddling, and sometimes loss of bowel/bladder control. Dreams typically show rapid eye movement under eyelids, whimpering or muted barks, and twitching legs as if running.
If your dog has a seizure, stay calm, take note of timing and provide comfort afterwards. Seek vet advice if seizures recur or last more than a few minutes. For dreams, simply let your dog sleep; no need to wake or comfort them. Pay attention to sleep environment and schedules to minimize dream triggering.
While both seizures and dreams are common canine experiences, timely vet care is essential with recurring episodes. With diligent observation and proactive treatment if needed, you can keep your dog healthy, happy and enjoying life to the fullest.