Common Toxins that Can Cause Seizures in Dogs – The Native Pet (2023)

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Common Toxins that Can Cause Seizures in Dogs – The Native Pet? ›

What toxins cause seizures in dogs? Food that causes seizures. According to the ASPCA, caffeine, dark chocolate, mushrooms, theobromine, ethanol, and xylitol can cause your dog's seizures. Theobromine is what makes chocolate toxic to dogs.

What toxins cause seizures in dogs? Food that causes seizures. According to the ASPCA, caffeine, dark chocolate, mushrooms, theobromine, ethanol, and xylitol can cause your dog's seizures. Theobromine is what makes chocolate toxic to dogs.

Seizures can be a symptom of a plethora of other problems. The most common cause is epilepsy. Chemicals within their environment can also cause seizures if ingested. These range from but aren't limited to house cleaners, lawn chemical agents, poisonous flowers/mushrooms, and toxic foods for dogs.

Lily of the Valley. These plants contain cardiac glycosides, which are sugars that affect how the cardiac muscle contracts. Ingesting any part of the plant can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased heart rate, heart rhythm abnormalities and possibly seizures.

Pine, in particular, can be quite toxic to dogs and can cause seizures, so be sure not to use pine scented or infused cleaners.

Finding the cause of sudden seizures in previously healthy dogs may require a neurology or internal medicine work-up, but the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center notes that often the problem can be traced to a toxin exposure.

Some signs of poisoning include: drooling/hypersalivation, diarrhea, hyperactivity, rapid heart rate, tremors, seizures, and dark red gums. The severity of symptoms will depend on how much mulch your dog ingests. Keep your dog out of the mulch for the first few weeks.

Chemical weapons such as sarin and VX, and pesticides such as parathion and carbaryl cause hyperstimulation of cholinergic receptors and an increase in excitatory neurotransmission. Glutamatergic hyperstimulation can occur after exposure to excitatory amino acid toxins such as the marine toxin domoic acid.

Generalized seizure activity may be a presenting symptom of poisoning or a preterminal manifestation of serious toxicity. Seizures may result from a large number of drugs and toxins, such as isoniazid (INH), carbon monoxide, theophylline, cyclic antidepressants, and salicylates.

Black mold can cause long term neurological problems in dogs (and humans) including seizures.

What are the three most common causes of seizures in animals? ›

The most common intracranial causes are genetic epilepsy, trauma to the brain, tumors, nutritional imbalances, autoimmune disease, or infectious diseases such as canine distemper virus (CDV) and rabies.

Fresh kale, peppers, cauliflower, berries, rosehips are great sources of vitamin C. CBD oil: CBD Oil has been shown to reduce the number and severity of seizures in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. It can prevent brain injuries which may occur during seizures and helps with brain tissue recovery after them.

For example, some report that unusual stimuli such as strong smells like petrol, bleach or glue can trigger seizures.

Seizures beginning in the temporal lobes may remain there, or they may spread to other areas of the brain. Depending on if and where the seizure spreads, the patient may experience the sensation of: A peculiar smell (such as burning rubber) Strong emotions (such as fear)

Many essential oils (EOs) have anticonvulsant activity and might benefit people with epilepsy. Lemongrass, lavender, clove, dill, and other EOs containing constituents such as asarone, carvone, citral, eugenol, or linalool are good candidates for evaluation as antiepileptic drugs.

According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, initially—and in milder cases—clinical signs may include nausea, vomiting, lethargy and abdominal distention. In more severe cases, ataxia, weakness, coma, seizures, hypothermia, and bradycardia may occur.

The researchers hypothesize that dogs with idiopathic epilepsy have alterations in the gut microbial population - characterized by the presence of Helicobacter, a decrease in Lactobacillus, and resulting inflammation - that are associated with epilepsy development and outcome.

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NC NeuroCare is the first and only diet to help nutritionally manage dogs with epilepsy as an adjunct to veterinary therapy,” says Jason Gagné, DVM, Dipl.

Do plants cause seizures in dogs? ›

Foxglove. Another common plant found in gardens that, can have serious effects on your dog however, the severity of the symptoms can vary based on the amount your pup has consumed. These symptoms can include tremors, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, heart failure, and death.

Toxic Weeds, Flowers, and Plants

“If ingested, these plants can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even death.” When planning your garden, keep your dog's health in mind and consider planting these spring essentials in an area where your dog cannot reach, perhaps in the front yard.

There are many possible causes of epilepsy, including an imbalance of nerve-signaling chemicals called neurotransmitters, tumors, strokes, and brain damage from illness or injury, or some combination of these. In the majority of cases, there may be no detectable cause for epilepsy.

The exposure to toxic molds associates with seizures, hypotension, and myelosuppression and can cause optic demyelinating neuritis and multifocal choroiditis [11].

The chemicals that are known to cause neurological diseases include POPs (PCBs, OCs, PBDEs, dioxins, furans, PFOEs), phthalates, BPA and hydrocarbons.

Toxins cause seizures by altering the balance of excitation and inhibition in the nervous system or interfering with energy metabolism. Many therapeutic or illicit drugs will cause seizures through similar mechanisms.

Compared to other bacteria, infections with Haemophilus influenzae are more commonly associated with seizures.

The most common signs of tremorgenic mycotoxin exposures reported to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) include hyperthermia, salivation, vomiting, ataxia, tachycardia, fasciculation, tremors, and seizures. These signs may begin within 1 to 2 hours of exposure or be delayed for several hours.

Can mold in a house cause seizures in dogs? ›

Ingesting even a small amount of mold can cause small muscle tremors and ataxia (which will cause your pet to look like he/she is drunk or having trouble walking) for a period of hours or days. A large amount of mold exposure can cause severe tremors, seizures and even death.

When unhealthy levels and/or types of mold spores are inhaled by dogs, they can cause a number of health problems, including symptoms like: Difficulty breathing. Wheezing, sneezing, or coughing. Nasal discharge.

The research found that 89 percent of dogs who received CBD in the clinical trial had a reduction in the frequency of seizures.

After dogs come out of a seizure, a little all-natural vanilla ice cream, honey, or natural maple syrup will help to raise their sugar levels back up. Follow with a protein such as little kibble, cheese stick, a spoonful of cottage cheese, chicken, etc. to help stabilize those sugar levels.

While bananas do have beneficial properties for dogs, they are also high in sugar, so should be fed in moderation. A medium-sized banana contains around 14 grams of sugar. If your dog has diabetes, epilepsy, or needs to lose weight, they should stay away from bananas, as this can be detrimental to their health.

Tremors, syncope, narcolepsy, vertigo, and painful muscle spasms can mimic seizures.

The most common cause of seizures is epilepsy. But not every person who has a seizure has epilepsy. Sometimes seizures may be caused or triggered by: A high fever.

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.

Your veterinarian will examine your pet and run tests to help determine if there is an underlying cause for the seizures. Sharing information about the frequency and length of episodes will help your veterinarian with the diagnosis and treatment.

Most dogs get all the vitamin B12 they need from their food. But dogs with digestive disorders or other health issues may not be able to absorb enough of it, and the resulting B12 deficiency can cause serious health problems, including diarrhea, weight loss, and even seizures.

What herbs and vegetables are toxic to dogs? ›

Onions, Garlic, Chives

These vegetables and herbs can cause gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage and anemia. Although cats are more susceptible, dogs are also at risk if a large enough amount is consumed.

Some poisonous weeds include Datura stramonium, also known as Jimsonweed, Devil's Trompet, Thorn Apple, Indian Apple, Black Datura, Tolguacha, and Jamestown Weed. A more commonly known weed is milkweed, which is found in North America.

Dogs and cats instinctively know not to eat certain things that can make them sick or kill them. Many animals, especially those in the wild, do have a combination of instinct, experience and training that keeps them from consuming things that are harmful to them.

Olfactory hallucinations

The perception of an odor by one person that is undetectable by others is called phantosmia. This is often due to a temporal lobe seizure, described as an uncinate fit. The hallucination is brief, and accompanied or followed by altered consciousness, or other epileptic manifestations.

“There is a unique, volatile smell linked to epileptic seizures, detectable by dogs, who, in turn, warn their owner a seizure is likely to occur.

Generalized seizure activity may be a presenting symptom of poisoning or a preterminal manifestation of serious toxicity. Seizures may result from a large number of drugs and toxins, such as isoniazid (INH), carbon monoxide, theophylline, cyclic antidepressants, and salicylates.

In cases where the aura is a smell, some people are able to fight off seizures by sniffing a strong odor, such as garlic or roses. When the preliminary signs include depression, irritability, or headache, an extra dose of medication (with a doctor's approval) may help prevent an attack.

The most common intracranial causes are genetic epilepsy, trauma to the brain, tumors, nutritional imbalances, autoimmune disease, or infectious diseases such as canine distemper virus (CDV) and rabies.

Ingesting even a small amount of mold can cause small muscle tremors and ataxia (which will cause your pet to look like he/she is drunk or having trouble walking) for a period of hours or days. A large amount of mold exposure can cause severe tremors, seizures and even death.

What are the symptoms of neurotoxicity in dogs? ›

Neurologic signs seen in small animals exposed to excitatory neurotoxins (i.e., methylxanthines, pyrethroids, amphetamines) commonly include hyperactivity, generalized seizures, tremors, ataxia, and/or opisthotonus.

Dogs, like other animals, can develop and have seizures. Sometimes, dogs have seizures out of the blue and without warning. It does not indicate that there is an underlying condition. However, your vet should still scan your dog's brain and take diagnostic tests to find the cause.

Black mold can cause long term neurological problems in dogs (and humans) including seizures.

Infections and parasites can also cause disturbing behaviors and psychomotor seizures. These include canine distemper or toxoplasmosis. Even [usually severe] ear infections can cause seizures in dogs.

Bromethalin is a neurotoxin, and if ingested, cerebral edema (swelling of the brain) may occur. Other signs that may develop if a toxic amount is ingested include: mental dullness, incoordination, tremors, paralysis, and seizures.

Affected dogs show signs 30 minutes to 4 hours after ingesting the poison. Initially affected dogs become anxious and have an elevated body temperature. Panting is usually seen. Progressively they become worse and staggery.

If you don't know what poisoned your dog, be aware that your vet is not able to test for every possibility, but blood tests may help determine the source. Some poisons, such as antifreeze and certain rat poisons, have antidotes, so whenever that's the case your vet will administer the antidote as soon as possible.

They may be a symptom of something else or they may even be completely harmless. Non-epileptic seizures (NES) are characterized by events that resemble epileptic seizures but are not caused by epileptic activity in the brain.