Shih Tzu Seizure – Triggers & Solutions
A Shih Tzu seizure can be extremely terrifying, not just for the dog but also for you, the owner. Witnessing your dog having a seizure is one of the most frightening experiences a pet owner can face. Much of this fear comes from the unknown.
Things that might go through your mind include:
- Why is my dog having a seizure?
- Is my dog going to be okay?
- And what is making my dog have this seizure?
seizures in shih tzu dogs
Shih Tzu seizures are triggered by many different reasons. Most commonly, dog seizures are caused by idiopathic epilepsy. This is typically inherited, but the cause is usually unknown.
Other common causes of seizures include eating poison, liver disease, high or low blood sugar. Also, kidney disease, electrolyte problems, Anemia, head injury, Encephalitis, strokes and brain cancer.
Dog seizures commonly occur when the canine’s brain has a change in activity, which can take place through stimulation from the environment. This can be from things around your home, foods, and medications and undoubtedly, stress. Affected dog’s can appear to be completely normal between seizures.
shih tzu and seizures triggers
While seizures seem to occur spontaneously, many factors have been identified as possible Shih Tzu seizure triggers. Basically, a trigger is the source of your dog’s seizure. It is the factor, inside or outside of the dog’s body that causes a seizure to occur.
The trigger can often be difficult to identify, but in order for something to qualify as a trigger, it has to have happened within 30 hours of your dog’s seizure. The only exception to this is vaccinations, which can trigger a seizure for up to 45 days after administration.
Naturally, the answer (like with most canine medical conditions) is never simple. There are plenty of causes that may potentially trigger a seizure. In an effort to reduce the chances of your dog having a seizure, try to avoid the things mentioned below:
Environmental Triggers of Shih Tzu Seizures
Your dog’s environment plays a significant role in the development of seizures. While your home is part of your Shih Tzu’s environment, this section focuses on potential environmental triggers your dog might encounter outside. Dogs love to be outside.
From walks to the dog park, to just sitting out in the backyard, the outdoors will be a big aspect of your dog’s life. Unfortunately, there are many things found outdoors that can potentially trigger a seizure in dogs.
Consider your own yard and garden and neighborhood. You and your neighbors may use lawn treatments and fertilizers to get that plush, green lawn of your dreams. And while they might be great for your yard, these chemicals could be harmful to your dog, and can even trigger a seizure.
Insecticides and herbicides are other chemicals often used around the yard that can be potential triggers of seizures in dogs. Other things found in the yard, such as cedar shavings, can also be harmful to your dog. In addition, many flowers and plants are poisonous to dogs, which can also cause a seizure.
What you can do
For your own home, try to only use lawn and yard products that are animal-friendly. To ensure that you don’t trigger your own dog’s seizure with these potentially harmful products. There are plenty of yard and garden treatment products that are dog-friendly. They should be easy to find on the label.
Take a look at the list of toxic plants and see to it that you don’t have any in your yard. Eliminating these harmful products and plants can remove one potential trigger of seizures in dogs from your dog’s environment.
- Sago Palm: Contains cycasin, leading to liver failure and seizures.
- Oleander: Contains cardiac glycosides, causing severe heart problems, tremors, and seizures.
- Azalea/Rhododendron: Contains grayanotoxins, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and potentially fatal seizures.
- Cyclamen: Contains terpenoid saponins, leading to gastrointestinal distress and seizures.
- Autumn Crocus: Contains colchicine, leading to severe gastrointestinal upset, liver/kidney damage, and seizures.
- Daffodils: Contains lycorine, causing severe vomiting, diarrhea, and convulsions.
- Foxglove: Contains digitalis glycosides, which can lead to heart failure and seizures.
- Jimsonweed: Contains tropane alkaloids, causing hyperactivity, tremors, and seizures.
- Lily of the Valley: Contains cardiac glycosides, leading to severe heart problems, tremors, and seizures.
- Yew: Contains taxine alkaloids, causing heart failure, tremors, and seizures.
- Marijuana (Cannabis sativa): Contains THC, causing vomiting, incoordination, and seizures.
- Ivy (Hedera helix): Contains triterpenoid saponins, leading to vomiting, abdominal pain, and seizures.
- Hemlock: Contains coniine and other alkaloids, leading to paralysis, tremors, and seizures.
- Nightshade (Atropa belladonna): Contains tropane alkaloids, causing paralysis, hallucinations, and seizures.
A couple of other environmental factors that can trigger seizures will be less in your control, but you can try to avoid them. Barometric pressure changes and extreme heat or cold are thought to be potential triggers.
Other potential environmental triggers include bee and wasp venom and toad poisoning. It’s easy enough to say “avoid bees and toads” but not realistic. So, just understand if you see them and try to remove your dog from a potentially bad situation.
Triggers Around Your Home
Your dog’s environment involves much more than just what’s outside, it also includes your home. Dogs, like humans, are both physically and emotionally sensitive creatures. Something like photosensitivity can trigger a seizure in dogs just like it can in humans. Photosensitivity pertains to flashing or bright lights.
Other household items that can potentially trigger seizures include scented candles, perfume, loud music, and cigarette smoke.
Popular household products are also potential triggers. These include Pine Sol or any other cleaners with pine oil, kerosene, camphor, eucalyptus, borax or boric acid, deck and wall stains, polyurethane fumes, paint fumes and Swiffer chemicals.
What you can do
Since none of the items listed above are essential for maintaining a home, consider removing them from your dog’s environment. If you choose to keep them, minimize their use or ensure your dog is not in the area when using these products.
Avoid using strong-scented products around your Shih Tzu, and keep them away during home projects. They are curious and likely to investigate whatever you’re working on. Pine is particularly toxic to Shih Tzus and can trigger seizures. Avoid using pine-scented cleaners or products. During Christmas, if you have a real tree, make sure your dog doesn’t drink the water from the tree stand, as it can be harmful.
Taking these precautions requires extra effort, but it’s crucial to protect your pet from potential seizure triggers.
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Foods That Can Trigger Seizures
The trigger of your Shih Tzu’s seizures can also come down to something as everyday as his diet. What your dog eats can absolutely be a potential trigger of a seizure. Having a diet too high in sodium can lead to salt toxicity, which can cause seizures and pancreatitis. This is especially true for dogs that take potassium bromide as an anticonvulsant.
Food allergies are also common triggers of seizures, brought on by processed, low grade dog foods. See our article about Healthy foods to feed your Shih Tzu
The chemicals, emulsifiers, and preservatives contained in a few of these foods may be harmful to your dog. There are also particular foods and herbs that can potentially trigger a seizure.
Fruits, including carrots and tomatoes, can actually trigger a seizure in some dogs. Certain dairy products, like cheese (particularly if it is moldy), cottage cheese and milk are also danger foods. Unclean or uncooked pork products can be problematic as well as turkey. These can each be found in tainted pet food.
Walnuts are generally thought of as harmful to dogs, and caffeine can also be a trigger. Even dog products like uncleansed rawhide treats and pig’s ear or feet can potentially cause a seizure to occur. Several commercially produced dog chews are bleached.
What you can do
Since you control your dog’s diet, you can ensure they aren’t consuming any potentially harmful foods. Always check the labels on your dog’s food and treats to make sure they don’t contain anything dangerous. Avoid feeding your pup anything you wouldn’t eat yourself or any dog food past its expiration date.
Medications That Can Trigger Seizures
Believe it or not, a dog’s medications can sometimes trigger seizures too. These include vaccinations, heartworm medications, flea and tick preventative medications and some other prescription medications. If your dog has a seizure shortly after beginning a new medication, you should make note of this when you see your veterinarian.
Stress Factors That Can Trigger Seizures
Just like humans, dog’s can experience stress, which may trigger seizures. Although stress is a more common cause of seizures in humans, it can still significantly impact dogs. Various factors can cause physical and emotional stress in dogs, leading to seizures.
Shih Tzus are highly photosensitive, so bright lights, camera flashes, television screens, Christmas lights, and lightning can all trigger a seizure. Additionally, changes in barometric pressure, extreme weather conditions, and thunderstorms can cause physical stress that may result in a seizure.
Sudden changes in diet or routine can also be stressful for Shih Tzus, who thrive on consistency. Separation anxiety is a real issue for these dogs, and being left alone for too long can lead to significant stress and potential seizures. Conversely, excessive excitement or prolonged activity, such as a long day of playing, can overwhelm them and trigger a seizure.
Emotional stressors like witnessing arguments, long car rides, vet visits, and general anxiety can also contribute to seizure activity. It’s important to help your dog avoid stress to prevent these potential triggers.
What you can do
Help your dog avoid these stressful situations by first sticking to your dog’s routine. This is the most effective way to keep your dog on an even keel. If you are going to change his diet, introduce the new food slowly as opposed to a complete, abrupt switch. Monitor their play time and don’t let them get out of hand.
Keep a journal of the potential triggers and take it when you go to see your veterinarian if your dog does have a seizure. Identifying the cause is the key to any treatment for seizures, so you’re paying attention can be your dog’s saving grace.
Shih Tzu Seizure Conclusion
Due to the unpredictable nature of seizures, you can never guarantee that your dog won’t ever have a seizure again. Avoiding these potential triggers can reduce your dog’s chances. If nothing else, these are all safe and healthy things you can do for your dog. Feel free to comment and share any of your advice below to help other Shih Tzu owners. Check out the short veterinarian video below on what to do if your dog is having a seizure.