Why Does My Diabetic Dog Keep Having Seizures?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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As either of those organs fail, toxins build up in their blood stream. When these toxins reach the brain, seizures can occur. Also, older dogs are more likely to have diabetes mellitus.

If they become hypoglycemic (have low blood sugar), they may have seizures

.

Are seizures common in diabetic dogs?


Seizures were diagnosed in 1.30% (10,459 of 802,097) of neutered male dogs and 0.86% (2861 of 334,444) of intact male dogs

. Seizures were diagnosed in 1.09% (8757 of 799,977) of spayed female dogs and 0.62% (1558 of 252,839) of intact female dogs.

Can high sugar in dogs cause seizures?

In cases where the diabetes is not treated promptly and allowed to progress to the point of a crisis, symptoms may include a loss of appetite, weakness, seizures, twitching, and intestinal problems (diarrhea or constipation).

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.

What are the end stages of diabetes in dogs?

Finally, they will develop the diabetic ketoacidosis complication which will lead to

vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and decreased appetite

,” Puchot explains. These symptoms, along with tremors or seizures and abnormal breathing patterns, could be signs your dog with diabetes is dying.

Can untreated diabetes in dogs cause seizures?

Many owners don’t realize diabetes can affect pets too, and often have many questions when they learn their dog or cat is diabetic.

If left untreated, diabetes can lead to seizures

, a coma, or death. The disease can also lead to other health problems over time.

What does a diabetic seizure look like?

To recognize a diabetic seizure, look for symptoms such as

staring into space, confusion, muscle weakness, loss of consciousness, or uncontrollable body movements

.

Can a drop in blood sugar cause seizures in dogs?

Clinical signs of hypoglycemia


Clinical signs may include altered mentation and behavior, seizures, syncope, muscle twitching/fasciculations, somnolence, exercise intolerance, muscle tremors, collapse, ataxia, weakness, and impaired vision

.

Can diabetes cause seizures?

A diabetic seizure is a serious medical condition and without emergency treatment, it has proven to be fatal.

Extremely low levels of sugar in the diabetic’s blood cause these seizures

. That is why it is so important for those who have diabetes to monitor and control their blood sugar.

Can high blood sugar cause seizures?

Hyperglycemia is the medical term for high blood sugar. Although it’s a common complication of diabetes, hyperglycemia can happen to anyone.

If left untreated, high blood sugar can lead to hyperglycemia-related seizures

.

What are the symptoms of too much insulin in dogs?

  • Very quiet and inappetent.
  • Hunger.
  • Restlessness.
  • Shivering.
  • Ataxia.
  • Disorientation.
  • Convulsions and coma.

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.

Do seizures damage a dog’s brain?

That said, seizures can be a serious health concern and

even short seizures could cause brain damage

. If your dog suffers a seizure that continues for more than 30 minutes serious permanent brain damage could result.

What is the life expectancy of a dog with seizures?

Approximately 40-60 percent of dogs with epilepsy have one or more episodes of cluster seizures or status epilepsy, and a mean lifespan of only

8 years

, compared to 11 years for those with epilepsy without episodes status epilepsy.

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.

How do you know when to put your diabetic dog down?

  1. Chronic vomiting.
  2. Weight loss.
  3. Lack of appetite.
  4. Lethargy.
  5. Disinterest in things they once enjoyed.
  6. Chronic diarrhea.
  7. Urinating around the house.
  8. Constant UTI’s.

When should you put a diabetic dog down?

Some people may ask, “If my dogs has diabetes, should I put him down?” The answer is no.

Dogs with diabetes can live a happy life without any symptoms of their disease

, but it does require effort on your part. If you are able to give your dog insulin, diabetes may not affect life expectancy.

How do I know if my diabetic dog is suffering?

  • Excessive thirst. The dog may drink frequently and empty the water bowl more often.
  • Increased urination. The dog may ask to go outside frequently and may start having “accidents” in the house. …
  • Weight loss. …
  • Increased appetite.

What are ketones in diabetic dogs?

The body cannot use glucose properly without insulin, so blood glucose levels get very high, and

the body creates ketone bodies from fat as an emergency fuel source

. While fine in an emergency, if glucose regulation is not restored, ketone levels increase resulting in a shift in the body’s acid/base balance.

What happens when a diabetic has a seizure?

A diabetic seizure happens when blood sugar is low, and the person can experience the following symptoms:

Uncontrollable body movements

.

Unconsciousness

.

Staring into space

.

What happens after a diabetic seizure?

People experiencing hypoglycemia often experience headaches, dizziness, sweating, shaking, and a feeling of anxiety. When a person experiences diabetic shock, or severe hypoglycemia, they may

lose consciousness, have trouble speaking, and experience double vision

.

Can insulin cause seizures?

Abstract. Hypoglycaemia, common in diabetic patients treated with insulin, can induce various neurological disturbances. Of these,

seizures are the most common acute symptom, mainly of the generalised tonic-clonic type, with focal events only exceptionally being reported and documented.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.