Living with an epileptic dog

Based on the international veterinary neurology guidelines (IVETF, ACVIM). Updated 19 October 2026. 8 min read.

What is day-to-day life like with an epileptic dog?

For most dogs, life carries on almost as normal: walks, play, family. What changes is the routine. The medication is given at fixed times, seizures are written down, and there are check-ups and blood tests at set intervals.

The European treatment guideline (IVETF 2015) says openly that stopping seizures completely is often not possible in dogs. The realistic goals are fewer seizures, shorter and milder seizures and fewer cluster seizures, with side effects you can live with. If you know this from the start, you will be able to judge more fairly how the treatment is going.

What should I write in the seizure diary?

Write down every episode, even the ones that seem minor to you. The diary is the main tool your vet uses to decide whether the treatment is working or needs adjusting. For each seizure, note:

• the date and the time it started;
• how long the seizure itself lasted, timed with a clock, not guessed;
• what your dog was doing beforehand (sleeping, playing, restless) and whether you noticed anything unusual in the hours before;
• what it looked like: the whole body or only one part, paddling, chewing movements, drooling, whether he passed urine or faeces, whether he responded to his name;
• how long it took him to recover fully (confusion, unsteady walking, hunger, thirst, sleep);
• whether there was a single seizure or several on the same day;
• any dose that was late, missed or vomited in the days before, plus changes of food or any new medicines.

Bring the diary to every check-up, including for the months with no seizures at all. Film the episodes when you can do so safely. A short video often tells more than a long description. You can send the history and the videos before the consultation by e-mail to helga@demed.ro.

How strictly do I need to stick to the medication times?

As strictly as you can. Giving the medication regularly is one of the points the IVETF guideline explicitly asks of owners, because the level of the drug in the blood needs to stay steady. Tie the dose to a daily habit (your morning coffee, mealtime) and set an alarm on your phone. A pill box with a compartment for each day shows you straight away whether the dose has been given.

I forgot to give a dose. What should I do?

Give the missed dose as soon as you remember. Stopping treatment suddenly, or giving it only now and then, is one of the most common triggers for seizures. If you only remember close to the time of the next dose, phone your vet before giving two doses close together. Note the delay in the diary.

My dog vomited after taking his medication. What should I do?

If he vomited less than an hour after the dose, give the dose again and let your vet know, so they can find out why he was sick. The IVETF guideline points out that vomiting and diarrhoea can reduce how much of the drug is absorbed, so repeated episodes need to be discussed with your vet, not simply put up with.

Can I stop the treatment if he has no more seizures?

Never stop it suddenly, and never on your own. Stopping anti-epileptic medication abruptly can bring on cluster seizures or status epilepticus (a seizure that does not stop). If a dog has been seizure-free for a long time, the IVETF guideline recommends that any reduction is discussed only after at least 1-2 years without seizures, that it is done gradually over several months, and only on your vet's advice. Even then, seizures can come back.

Which medicines are used for epilepsy in dogs?

The active substances most often used by vets in Europe are phenobarbital, imepitoin, potassium bromide, levetiracetam and zonisamide, alone or in combination. The choice of medicine and the dose are decided by the vet, based on the type of seizures, how often they happen, your dog's blood results and any other conditions he has. No single medicine suits every dog, and the dose is adjusted over time.

Which side effects are expected, and which should I report?

In the first weeks of treatment, or after a dose increase, many dogs are sleepier, a little wobbly on their legs, eat more, and drink and urinate more. According to the IVETF and ACVIM guidelines, these effects usually ease within a few weeks as the body gets used to the medication.

An increased appetite is the most common long-term side effect. It is not a problem in itself, but it easily leads to extra weight.

Let your vet know if:

• the sleepiness or wobbliness does not improve after the first few weeks, or gets worse;
• your dog stops eating, vomits repeatedly or has diarrhoea;
• you notice yellowing of the eyes or gums, bruising, bleeding or unusual weakness;
• there are changes in behaviour, restlessness or agitation that do not settle;
• his weight goes up noticeably from one month to the next.

Why are regular blood tests needed?

Because they show two things: whether the medication is in the blood at the right level, and whether the liver and other organs are coping with it. The guidelines recommend blood tests before treatment starts and then at regular intervals, for example about 2 weeks after starting or after a change of dose, then at 3 months and every 6 months after that for some medicines. The exact schedule depends on the medicine chosen and is set by your vet. The regular neurological check-up is the right time to go through the diary and the results together; you will find its cost on the fees page.

What should an epileptic dog eat, and how do I keep his weight in check?

Keep him on the same food and change it only gradually, after talking to your vet. The IVETF guideline explains that diet, salt content for example, can change the blood level of some medicines, and with potassium bromide any change of food is made over at least 5 days, with blood tests afterwards.

For his weight: weigh your dog every month, measure his portions and count treats as part of the daily ration. Obesity brings other health problems, and some doses are calculated by body weight. If you are interested in a special diet for epilepsy, ask your vet. The ACVIM consensus describes a study in which a diet with medium-chain triglycerides reduced seizure frequency in 21 dogs, but diets do not replace treatment.

Can an epileptic dog exercise?

Yes. Daily walks and normal play help keep your dog's weight and general balance in good shape. The precautions are about places where a seizure would be dangerous: swimming only under close supervision, and balconies, steep stairs and high edges are best avoided when you are not there. The guidelines list falls, injuries and choking linked to seizures among the risks to keep in mind.

How do I travel with him or leave him in someone else's care?

Put everything in writing. The IVETF guideline explicitly includes travel, boarding kennels and leaving the dog alone among the topics owners should discuss with their vet.

• Take enough medication for the whole trip, plus a few extra days, in the original packaging.
• Leave whoever is looking after him the exact dose times, the diary and instructions for a seizure.
• Write down your vet's phone number and the address of the nearest emergency vet clinic in the area you are going to.
• Keep the dose times steady across time zones as well; ask your vet how to shift them gradually.

What is a home seizure plan?

It is a written agreement with your vet about what to do when a seizure happens: how to recognise it, whether and when to give the emergency medication prescribed for home use, and when to go straight to a clinic. The IVETF guideline recommends that owners are prepared for cluster seizures and for giving an extra medicine at home. The medicine, the dose and how to give it are decided by the vet for your dog.

For what to do during a seizure, step by step, see the article what to do during a seizure.

What quality of life can an epileptic dog have?

Many dogs live for years with only occasional seizures and behave like any other dog in between. The ACVIM consensus stresses that treatment success is judged by seizure control and by the quality of life of the dog and the family, including the daily effort, the costs and the worry. Tell your vet what is weighing on you as well, not just what your dog is doing. A treatment plan you cannot keep up at home needs to be adapted, not hidden.

If the treatment no longer seems to work, the reason may be a dose that is no longer enough, doses that are often missed, or a type of epilepsy that needs a different approach. An epilepsy consultation takes a fresh look at the diagnosis, the diary and the blood results.

When does euthanasia come into question?

Epilepsy is not in itself a reason for euthanasia. Most of the time it is a condition that needs lifelong treatment without seriously affecting the dog's quality of life. Studies show that when epileptic dogs do have shorter lives, the main reason is euthanasia because of seizures that cannot be controlled.

If you find yourself thinking about this decision, do not make it alone, and not on the day of a bad seizure. It is an informed decision, made together with your vet, who can help you judge honestly how well your dog is living, what treatment options are still open and what is right for him and for your family.

For an overview of the condition, read the guide to epilepsy in dogs as well.

Frequently asked questions

This article is for information only and does not replace a veterinary consultation.