Can An Ear Infection Give A Dog Seizures?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If an animal has a really bad urinary tract infection or really bad ear infections,

any cause of inflammation in the body can be a trigger

. For some dogs, having really severe allergies might trigger seizures.

Can ear infections cause seizures?


Sometimes, children will experience a seizure while having a high fever, chickenpox, or an ear infection

. This is a result of abnormal brain activity related to the illness the child is going through.

Can a yeast infection in dogs cause seizures?

This fungal disease typically begins in the dog’s respiratory tract, but can go on to affect the central nervous system, eyes, and skin.

In dogs, symptoms of cryptococcosis range from lethargy, coughing, nasal discharge, eye problems, and skin lesions, to seizures and other neurologic abnormalities

.

Can ear mites cause seizures in dogs?


Ear mites don’t cause seizures

but left untreated they can lead to serious ear disease (such as middle or inner ear infections) which can cause a head tilt or loss of balance.

What can trigger a seizure in a dog?

  • Epilepsy.
  • Heat Exhaustion.
  • Nutritional imbalances such as thiamine deficiency.
  • Low blood sugar levels.
  • Liver disease.
  • Tumors.

Should I put my dog down if he has seizures?


If your dog only experiences one seizure and is otherwise healthy, then you don’t need to consider putting it down

. However, if your dog is having multiple seizures and does not respond well to treatment, then euthanasia may be the best decision for both you and your pet.

Can bacterial infections cause seizures?

Bacterial infections of the CNS involve mainly the meninges and the cerebral parenchyma;

almost any CNS bacterial infection can result in acute symptomatic seizures and later acquired epilepsy

[19, 38, 118, 119].

What happens if dog ear infection goes untreated?

Lapses in treatment can lead to recurrence in infection, so be sure to finish the full course of treatment. As mentioned earlier,

untreated outer ear infections can lead to more serious middle and inner ear infections

.

Should I take my dog to the vet after a seizure?


Any seizure lasting over five minutes needs to be treated immediately by a vet

. If your dog has several seizures in the span of a few minutes and does not wake up between each one, he needs to see a vet immediately.

Did my dog have a seizure?

What Are the Symptoms of Seizures? Symptoms can include

collapsing, jerking, stiffening, muscle twitching, loss of consciousness, drooling, chomping, tongue chewing, or foaming at the mouth

. Dogs can fall to the side and make paddling motions with their legs. They sometimes poop or pee during the seizure.

Can dogs get sick from ear infection?


Vomiting and nausea may occur during the acute phase of otitis interna

. If the facial nerve, which is located in the area of the inner ear, is damaged by an inner ear infection, your dog may develop some of the following symptoms: drooling from the side of the mouth. difficulty eating and dropping food.

What toxins can cause seizures in dogs?

According to the ASPCA,

caffeine, dark chocolate, mushrooms, theobromine, ethanol, and xylitol

can cause your dog’s seizures.

What can mimic seizures in dogs?


Tremors, syncope, narcolepsy, vertigo, and painful muscle spasms

can mimic seizures.

What do I do if my dog is having a seizure and Im not home?

Your pet may have a seizure when you are not at home.

Look for dangers – and mitigate them

. For example, if you have stairs in your home, use a baby gate to keep your pet away from them. Your pet can be seriously injured when taking the stairs if disoriented after a seizure.

What are the symptoms of an inner ear infection in a dog?

  • Pain when your dog opens his mouth.
  • Reluctance to chew.
  • Head-shaking.
  • Pawing and scratching of the affected ear.
  • Redness of the ears.
  • Ear discharge.
  • Bulging eardrum (tympanic membrane) when there is a buildup of pus in the middle and inner ear.
  • Vomiting.

What does a focal seizure look like in a dog?

Signs of a Simple Focal Seizure


Hallucinations (Your dog may bark, growl or moan at nothing, bite at the air or behave fearfully for no apparent reason)

Signs of vision or hearing changes. Fur standing up. Dilated pupils.

Can allergies cause seizures in dogs?

The neurologic manifestation of allergies may be depression, irritability, and

extremely rare, seizures

. Pets with environmental allergies may initially show clinical signs seasonally, but eventually 70% or more of the allergic dogs progress to non-seasonal signs.

Can dehydration cause seizures in dogs?


The brain swells, causing seizures

, lack of blood supply to the GI tract causes ulcers. Dehydration leads to irreversible kidney damage. All these catastrophic events take place within a matter of minutes. Especially susceptible are brachycephalic breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs or Pekingese.

What dog breeds are more prone to seizures?

Your dog is most likely to suffer from seizures if he or she is a

Belgian Tervuren, Shetland sheepdog, beagle, Labrador retriever, golden retriever, keeshond, or vizsla

. Other breeds more prone to seizures include the Finnish spitz, Bernese mountain dog, Irish wolfhound, and English springer spaniel.

Why do dogs have seizures at night?

We know that some dogs inherit idiopathic epilepsy from their parents, but the exact reasons they occur are unknown. Other causes of dog seizures while sleeping are

kidney failure, brain tumors, brain trauma, liver disease, toxins, neoplastic growths, metabolic disorders, and more

.

What not to feed a dog that has seizures?

Things to Avoid


Chemical preservatives, such as BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin

may increase seizure activity, as well. At least initially, organ meats such as livers and kidneys should be avoided. An article in Whole Dog Journal suggests that the diet of a dog with seizures should be free of gluten.

What infections can cause a seizure?


Head colds, lung infections or sinus infections (caused by viruses or bacteria)

can often lead to a change in seizures. The seizures could be triggered by the physical stress of being sick, having a fever, or getting dehydrated if you aren’t eating or drinking well.

Can a sinus infection cause a seizure?


The posterior wall lysis of the sinus with a bare dura mater is sufficient to lead to a seizure in case of sinus infection

.

What kind of infection can cause seizures?

Common infections of the central nervous system that may present with seizures include:

herpes simplex, cytomegalovirus, arbovirus, human immunodeficiency virus, neurocysticercosis, malaria, toxoplasmosis, bacterial meningitis and brain abscess

.

What is End Stage ear disease in dogs?

End-Stage Ear Disease: Signs, Diagnosis and Treatment.

Dogs that have long-standing ear infections may develop an irreversible disease of the ear canal

. Due to chronic inflammation, the ear canal becomes very thickened and can turn into bone. As a result, the infection will not resolve with medications.

How urgent is a dog ear infection?

An ear infection is an emergency

when your pet is in pain, you cannot touch or look in your dog’s ear, the ear is red and swollen, and/or your dog has a head tilt

. All ear infections should be examined and treated by a veterinarian.

How serious is a dog ear infection?

Dog ear infections

can be a serious condition, which may result in hearing loss or facial paralysis

. These serious complications make it imperative to prevent infection and seek treatment as soon as symptoms arise in your pet. Caring for and managing dog ear infections involve cleaning, medication, and aftercare.

Carlos Perez
Author
Carlos Perez
Carlos Perez is an education expert and teacher with over 20 years of experience working with youth. He holds a degree in education and has taught in both public and private schools, as well as in community-based organizations. Carlos is passionate about empowering young people and helping them reach their full potential through education and mentorship.