Idiopathic epilepsy
The most common cause in young adult dogs (age 1–5). Recurrent seizures with no identifiable brain lesion — breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Beagles, and German Shepherds are predisposed.
Dog Symptom
My Dog Had a Seizure — Urgent Online Vet Guidance
Witnessing a seizure is terrifying. After the episode, connect with a licensed vet the same day for classification, emergency guidance, and whether anticonvulsant therapy should begin.
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After your dog's seizure
Expert online guidance when your dog has a seizure
Licensed vet reviews seizure description, duration, and recovery on video
Same-day guidance on first aid and emergency red flags
Anticonvulsant prescription plans when ongoing management is needed
$65 flat fee — urgent expert support
Coordination with local lab for baseline bloodwork
Clear instructions for cluster seizure and status epilepticus emergencies
A single brief seizure in an otherwise healthy young dog may be idiopathic epilepsy. Cluster seizures (multiple in 24 hours), status epilepticus (seizure lasting more than 5 minutes), or seizures in a dog with known liver or kidney disease require immediate in-person emergency care.
TelaVets connects you with a licensed DVM who reviews what you observed, advises on safe recovery positioning, discusses baseline bloodwork, and prescribes anticonvulsants like levetiracetam or phenobarbital when ongoing management is appropriate.
Signs to watch for when your dog is seizures
- Collapse with stiffening or paddling limbs
- Drooling, chomping, or foaming at the mouth
- Urination or defecation during the episode
- Disorientation or blindness afterward (post-ictal phase)
- Multiple seizures within 24 hours (cluster seizures)
- Seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes
- Seizure in a puppy under 6 months
- Known toxin exposure (chocolate, xylitol, medications)
Common causes of seizures in dogs
- Idiopathic epilepsy
- Toxin ingestion
- Hypoglycemia
- Liver shunt
- Brain tumor
- Kidney or liver failure
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Head trauma
Why is my dog seizures?
First seizure vs. recurrent seizures, age, and breed all change the diagnostic approach. Our vets help you navigate the critical hours after an episode.
Toxic and metabolic causes
Chocolate, xylitol, lead, and certain medications trigger seizures. Liver shunts, kidney failure, and low blood sugar disrupt normal brain function.
Structural brain disease
Brain tumors, encephalitis, and stroke cause seizures especially in dogs over 5 years with new-onset seizure activity.
How our vets assess this online
Our vets cannot diagnose epilepsy via video alone, but they provide critical post-seizure guidance and build a diagnostic and treatment plan tailored to your dog's presentation.
- Seizure duration, character, and post-ictal behavior documented
- Number of seizures in the past 24 hours and 30 days
- Toxin exposure and medication history reviewed
- Age, breed, and prior health status considered
- Recommendation for CBC, chemistry, bile acids, and MRI when indicated
Treatments we may recommend
A single isolated seizure may not require lifelong medication. Our vets weigh risks and benefits of anticonvulsant therapy based on seizure frequency, severity, and your dog's overall health.
Emergency first-aid protocol for active seizures
Levetiracetam (Keppra) prescription for seizure management
Phenobarbital or potassium bromide for refractory epilepsy
Baseline bloodwork coordination before starting anticonvulsants
Toxin decontamination guidance and ER referral
Seizure diary and trigger tracking recommendations
Neurology referral for advanced imaging and management
All medications are prescribed only when clinically appropriate by a licensed veterinarian and dispensed through our FDA-compliant pharmacy.
Managing seizure risk in your dog
Keep toxins, medications, and xylitol products secured
Maintain consistent anticonvulsant dosing — never skip doses
Reduce seizure triggers: stress, sleep deprivation, flashing lights
Schedule regular bloodwork to monitor anticonvulsant levels
Microchip and ID tag your epileptic dog in case of escape during post-ictal confusion
Why pet parents choose TelaVets
Licensed DVMs Only
Every consultation is with a licensed Doctor of Veterinary Medicine — not a chatbot or technician.
$65 Flat Fee
One transparent price covers your full video consultation and treatment plan. No facility fees or surprise charges.
Same-Day Appointments
Most pet parents are connected with a vet within 1–3 hours of booking, 7 days a week.
Next-Day Prescriptions
When medication is appropriate, prescriptions are issued same-day and delivered to your door next business day.
Stress-Free Home Visits
Your pet is assessed in their calm home environment, which often makes symptoms easier to evaluate on video.
Secure & Private
Encrypted video calls and HIPAA-compliant records keep your pet's health information protected.
How TelaVets works
Book your consultation
Pick a same-day or upcoming slot — appointments available 7 days a week.
Connect with a licensed vet
Your vet assesses your pet via secure video, asks detailed questions, and reviews their history.
Get your treatment plan
Receive a diagnosis, personalised care plan, and same-day prescriptions delivered next-day.
What Our Pet Parents Say
Join thousands of happy pet parents who trust TelaVets for their furry family members care
"Fantastic service! My dog gets extremely anxious at the vet, so having a virtual appointment from home was a game-changer. The vet was kind and helpful, and getting his medication delivered the next day made the whole process stress-free and more affordable than going to the clinic."
DL
David Long
Verified Pet Parent
"The vet I spoke with Dr. Ricksaw was very knowledgeable and nice. He took the time to go through all of my options and ideas with me. Reassured me that all we were doing for my dog's anxiety was good and gave me a couple of new ideas as well."
CH
Courtney Hughes
Verified Pet Parent
"I would definitely use them again. I'm cat sitting for 2 weeks and needed to see a vet. I was so worried about the kitten. I used Televets the cat got his prescription and all is good. Excellent service!"
M
Maria
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr Corey was amazing, helpful, compassionate and well versed. I would highly recommend using this. It is so much easier than trying to get a 3 legged cat into a carrier, take him to a doctor's office and stress him out, love it!!!"
JG
Jackie Gardner
Verified Pet Parent
"I had a TelaVets Zoom appointment and couldn't be more impressed. They spent a lot of time with me, walking through every option to help my cat recover from her skin issues. I've also reached out about getting her medication through Chewy.com, and they've been extremely helpful every step of the way."
LD
Lara Durand
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. Moppin is a dedicated professional who truly cares about his furry patients and their humans, too! It's such a relief that Dr. Cole took the time to listen and address my concerns thoughtfully. Thank you for taking care of our cats 🐈"
WW
Wanida Walker
Verified Pet Parent
"This service was amazing! My dog ran out of his medication before we were able to get in with a new vet and they were able to help get him a short term supply quickly. I would definitely use them again!"
AT
Amanda Tobias
Verified Pet Parent
"Knowledgeable, professional caring provider! Needed urgent Vet care on a weekend and TeleVet kept me from having to miss a day of work, as well as half the price of local weekend options. Thank you!"
JH
Jana Humble
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. McGinnis was very knowledgeable and listened to my cat's issues. She addressed the problem and may have come up with an answer after 5 years of trying with local vet practices."
MK
Marilyn Kerr
Verified Pet Parent
"Fantastic service! My dog gets extremely anxious at the vet, so having a virtual appointment from home was a game-changer. The vet was kind and helpful, and getting his medication delivered the next day made the whole process stress-free and more affordable than going to the clinic."
DL
David Long
Verified Pet Parent
"The vet I spoke with Dr. Ricksaw was very knowledgeable and nice. He took the time to go through all of my options and ideas with me. Reassured me that all we were doing for my dog's anxiety was good and gave me a couple of new ideas as well."
CH
Courtney Hughes
Verified Pet Parent
"I would definitely use them again. I'm cat sitting for 2 weeks and needed to see a vet. I was so worried about the kitten. I used Televets the cat got his prescription and all is good. Excellent service!"
M
Maria
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr Corey was amazing, helpful, compassionate and well versed. I would highly recommend using this. It is so much easier than trying to get a 3 legged cat into a carrier, take him to a doctor's office and stress him out, love it!!!"
JG
Jackie Gardner
Verified Pet Parent
"I had a TelaVets Zoom appointment and couldn't be more impressed. They spent a lot of time with me, walking through every option to help my cat recover from her skin issues. I've also reached out about getting her medication through Chewy.com, and they've been extremely helpful every step of the way."
LD
Lara Durand
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. Moppin is a dedicated professional who truly cares about his furry patients and their humans, too! It's such a relief that Dr. Cole took the time to listen and address my concerns thoughtfully. Thank you for taking care of our cats 🐈"
WW
Wanida Walker
Verified Pet Parent
"This service was amazing! My dog ran out of his medication before we were able to get in with a new vet and they were able to help get him a short term supply quickly. I would definitely use them again!"
AT
Amanda Tobias
Verified Pet Parent
"Knowledgeable, professional caring provider! Needed urgent Vet care on a weekend and TeleVet kept me from having to miss a day of work, as well as half the price of local weekend options. Thank you!"
JH
Jana Humble
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. McGinnis was very knowledgeable and listened to my cat's issues. She addressed the problem and may have come up with an answer after 5 years of trying with local vet practices."
MK
Marilyn Kerr
Verified Pet Parent
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Frequently asked questions about seizures in dogs
Stay calm. Move furniture and objects away to prevent injury but do not put your hands near your dog's mouth — they cannot swallow their tongue. Time the seizure. If it lasts more than 5 minutes, or if seizures occur back-to-back without full recovery, go to an emergency animal hospital immediately. Once the seizure ends, keep your dog in a quiet, dim space and book a TelaVets consultation for post-seizure guidance.
Any seizure lasting more than 5 minutes is status epilepticus — a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate in-person care. Cluster seizures (two or more within 24 hours) also warrant urgent evaluation. A typical epileptic seizure lasts 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
Not necessarily. A single seizure can be caused by toxins, low blood sugar, or fever. Epilepsy is diagnosed when seizures recur without an identifiable cause. Our vets help determine whether baseline bloodwork, bile acid testing, or a wait-and-watch approach is appropriate after a first episode.
Yes. If ongoing seizure management is clinically appropriate, our licensed vets can prescribe levetiracetam, phenobarbital, or other anticonvulsants with same-day delivery. Baseline bloodwork is recommended before starting most anticonvulsants.
Common seizure-inducing toxins include chocolate, xylitol (sugar-free gum), rodent bait, certain human medications (ibuprofen, antidepressants), and illicit drugs. If you suspect toxin ingestion, contact poison control and seek emergency care immediately — then follow up with TelaVets for ongoing management.
Get expert help for your dog's seizures today
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