The first one is the worst one.

If you’re reading this on the kitchen floor, hi.

We remember staring at the floor for ten minutes after Luna’s first seizure, not crying yet, not really functioning either. If that’s where you are right now: it gets easier. Not the seizures - those will come and go - but you get better at it. You learn what’s happening, what to do, what doesn’t matter. This guide is the version of that we wish we’d had.

Anxiety, grief, exhaustion - all of these are normal. Don’t push them down. You’re joining a big, quiet community of owners who have been through this and whose dogs are doing fine.

Making your home safer

A dog mid-seizure has no control over their body. A few simple changes can significantly reduce the risk of injury:

• Soft bedding: Ensure your dog sleeps on thick, padded beds rather than hard floors near sharp furniture edges.
• Stair gates: Consider blocking access to stairs. A dog mid-seizure on a staircase is at serious risk of injury.
• Pool and water safety: Never leave an epileptic dog unattended near water. A seizure in a paddling pool or bath can be fatal.
• Soft surroundings: In rooms where your dog spends most time, consider soft rugs, removing sharp-cornered furniture, or placing foam edge guards.
• Sleeping arrangements: Many owners move their epileptic dog to a downstairs room overnight, or use a baby monitor to hear if a seizure occurs.

What to do during a seizure

When a seizure happens, the most important thing you can do is stay calm. Your dog cannot feel pain during a tonic-clonic seizure, even though it looks alarming.

1. Note the time. Start timing immediately - duration is the most critical piece of information.
2. Do not restrain your dog. You cannot stop a seizure by holding them still, and you risk being bitten accidentally.
3. Do not put anything in their mouth. Dogs cannot swallow their tongue. Anything placed in their mouth is a bite risk.
4. Move hazards, not the dog. Remove anything nearby that could cause injury.
5. Dim lights and reduce noise if possible - some dogs are sensitive to stimulation during the post-ictal phase.
6. Record a short video if it is safe to do so. Footage of the actual seizure is enormously helpful for your vet.

Building your emergency plan

Before the next seizure happens, prepare yourself:

• Know your out-of-hours emergency vet number - have it saved in your phone and written somewhere visible at home.
• Ask your vet whether they recommend keeping a rescue medication at home (e.g. diazepam rectal gel or buccal midazolam). If so, make sure you and any regular dog-sitters know how to administer it.
• Brief anyone who looks after your dog - dog walkers, family, friends. Write down the key steps and emergency contact number for them.

Travelling and boarding

Epilepsy does not mean you cannot travel - but it does require more planning.

• Always carry enough medication for the full trip plus several extra days - lost medication is harder to replace abroad.
• Stress can lower the seizure threshold. Long car journeys or flights are worth discussing with your vet beforehand.
• When using a boarding kennel, choose one whose staff are comfortable with epileptic dogs and can administer medication. Provide written instructions and emergency contacts.
• Consider pet-sitting services over kennels - a familiar home environment reduces stress.

Looking after yourself

Caregiver fatigue is real. The hypervigilance that comes with owning an epileptic dog - listening for sounds at night, checking on them constantly - is exhausting over months and years.

Connect with other owners. The shared experience of people who truly understand what you’re going through is invaluable. Online communities and Facebook groups (such as “Canine Epilepsy UK”) offer peer support, practical advice, and - importantly - people who do not minimise what you are going through.