I was watching a dog over the weekend, and the dog suffered a seizure while I was watching her. For future, how should this be handled if it happens again with a different dog or the same dog if I watch her again?
Wow. The best advice I can offer is during a meet and greet with any pet that you’re going to take care of, no matter what the age or physical condition, ask who their vet is and if anything should require vet attention if they would want you to go there. That opens up the conversations so that you can feel comfortable contacting either their vet or another vet for any of the many reasons that could happen while you have custody of someone else’s pet.
Some clients may choose to authorize care (in case need arises) with an open credit card open with their vet and add you as an authorized caregiver (so the vet understands your relationship and is able to discuss care etc w/you)
This is really great advice, thanks so much! This was the first dog I ever watched on Rover too, and I definitely learned how important it is to have the vet information and also an emergency vet on call handy!
I ALWAYS insist on vet info being on file, whether in the app or on paper.
My 12 pound Yorkie has a seizure occasionally after he jumps down from furniture or gets extra stressed. We hold him and pet him to reassure him since he’s frightened. It seems to calm him and brings him through it quicker.
If you had no idea this was going to happen then that is very frightening and I’m sorry. For your sake please get pet sitter insurance. It will allow you to take a dog or cat to the vet for $250. This protects you from liability. The happy stay guarantee is assuming that you are following all local laws and have insurance. Most sitters do not realize this. Rover gives us advice, rover helps us rover does a lot but they are going on the facts that we are licensed and insured in our states so I just wanted to add that fact. It’s not a lot and will greatly protect you.
My dog has seizures. The first couple of times, it was really scary, she seemed really out of it and had a hard time walking around. She's about 10 pounds, so I would scoop her up and move her to the tile floor (because she would throw up and it's easier to clean on tile) and sit with her until it was finished. Normally she is standing and will try to walk so I would make sure she stays in one spot (I do this gently, I don't force her to do anything uncomfortable or challenging), I do try to sit her down if she's willing, and I just comfort/console her. It takes a lot out of her, so she's normally pretty exhausted after. It'll run its course and should be done in a few minutes. Hers are pretty mild so not sure what it would be like if she was violently convulsing. She normally shivers like she's cold and I pet her and let her know that I'm here for her. Not a whole lot else you can do, unfortunately.
As other answers point out, document what you can: did you give the dog any treats? Did he/she eat beforehand, drink anything? Could he/she have gotten into anything (i.e. garbage, something outside, other pet's food) that he/she doesn't normally consume? How long did it last? Was it particularly mild/violent? Was he/she acting strange beforehand (not as energetic, have any nerves)? Is the owner aware of this happening?
Good luck to you and I hope this helps you be more prepared in the future. It can be pretty scary but I've been informed (at least in my case) she's not in any pain and oftentimes she doesn't realize it's happening. Above all else, remain calm. Dogs feel what you're feeling, if you're calm, he/she is more likely to be calm as well. I hope this helps!
THANK you - great info! I had a Meet N Greet today w a dog / owners where we had great detailed back & forth discussion re: their dog started having seizures 6 mths ago. It's mostly under control now with medication & it's a VERY sweet rescue dog, so I will still sit for him - your info helps.
I ask if the dog has any medical issues, during the meet n greet, that I need to be aware of. I would hope if the owner knows the dog has a history of seizures, however infrequent, they would tell me. That's the responsible thing to do and that way, I can be prepared for it. My 12 1/2-year-old dog has a seizure once, so far, earlier this year and it frightened the hell outta me. I took her to the emergency vet and all they were doing was monitoring her. She hasn't had one since, and that was back in April. My point being is that if I was having someone take care of her, I would DEFINITELY tell them from the get go that she had a seizure, but hasn't had one since. Just so they are prepared for the possibility.
Do not intervene with the dog. It could be confused during and after a seizure. Time the seizure and document the duration. Report to client. If the client is aware of seizure activity usually they will have a place to document the seizure. Also, be aware if the dog ate anything.
Also if a seizure happens make sure they are in a safe place and can't get hurt or suffocate. Dont touch but stick close and talk reassuring them. it's scary for them. If it's longer them 5 min vet intervention is need. Document it and let owners know. Also ask if they have meds to stop seizures
I agree with both of these answers.
I had this happen. I did exactly what I would do for a human-and have had experience with that. Make sure they are in a safe space. Stay with them during and after. Generally they don’t last long, but if they do contact vet afterwards.
I agree with Sherri 100%. Calling the vet is important afterwards, but staying with the dog and keeping them safe is essential during the seizure.
Get an ice pack and place it on the dog lower back. Get a cover and pit it over the dog head. To claim the dog down. Also for your protection. A dog is not in control.
All of the above, and also be very careful to not put your hand/arm near the dog's face. Like Dalvin says, the dog is not in control, and could snap and bite and not realize they are doing it, of course. My dog bit a blanket once during a seizure. When he came out of it.