Can yard chemicals cause my dog to seizure?

Our question this week was:

Hi there – My dog had a seizure this weekend. It was the scariest thing ever for me. First he got sick and vomited yellow liquid (which he has done before) then he went into convulsions and had a seizure. All the symptoms on your site is what he displayed.

It lasted for about 30 seconds. He hasn't done it again and I am wondering if it could have been the running in the grass outside alot in my backyard and there are chemicals in lawn from spraying? Or the new food I have been feeding for 3 weeks straight now has caused this? I also noticed he scratches himself and bites himself more. I am feeding him healthypetnet.com foodYour input would be appreciated.Thank you,

Michael R.

Answer

Michael, Sorry to hear about your dog's problem. Seizures are relatively common in dogs. Some dogs will have one seizure and never seizure again in their lives. This may occur in about 80% of dogs. Hopefully this will be the case with your dog. Some dogs will go on have more seizures which can be due to a medical problem or epilepsy.

Most of the time (almost all the time) it is impossible to know what the underlying cause of a seizure. I don't think it is from chemicals sprayed on the lawn in the spring (since it is now fall). I don't think it is from your dog's food either.

For most dogs, I recommend that owners take them to the vet for an evaluation. I also recommend routine blood work. Most dogs will be normal but I'd hate to overlook something that is potentially treatable. I'd also recommend that you make sure your dog's food is not on the recall list. Go to Pet Food Recall – Food Causing Death: Update from Dr. Debra and click on the link to the list of foods.

Seizures are a symptom and can be caused by many different reasons from infections, toxins, organ malfunction, trauma, and tumors. For more information on seizures – go to Seizure Disorders in Dogs. There is also a good section there that tells you what to do (and not to do) if another seizure occurs.

In many pets there is no underlying cause for the seizures, which they call epilepsy. Epilepsy generally begins in dogs that are young – 2 to 4 years old. They will continue to seizure. For more information on epilepsy – go to Idiopathic Epilepsy in Dogs.

Best of luck!

Dr. Debra

To read most recent questions Click here!

Click here to see the full list of Ask Dr. Debra Questions and Answers!