After a dog has a seizure is it normal for them not to eat?

Original Question: Our dog Rowley is 10 years old. She is a combination of Lab, Cocker Spaniel, Australian Shepherd, Border Collie and Husky. She does have Cushing’s Disease but not medicated yet. Last Wednesday morning she had a seizure at about 8:00am. She could not get up on her legs. Finally, with the help of a neighbour, we got her in our car and to the Ajax Animal Hospital. She suffered a second seizure at the hospital and we were told that this is fairly common. She stayed there all day and had blood tests and x-rays that both came back normal. The vet would like us to take her to a neurologist, which will be really expensive. She has been on Royal Canin Maxi Aging 8+ food for about 2 years. Always eats well but has not touched her food since the seizure. Is it normal for a dog to stop eating after a seizure? Note she does have a very small amount of wet canned food every morning – about 2 spoons of it. Thanks - Stu

Jun 9, 2017

Hi Stu,

Thanks for your question. What an interesting mix your dog is! She must be gorgeous. I am sorry to hear of her recent bout with seizures. It sounds like you have already done a lot of work with her to figure out the Cushing’s syndrome and recent onset of seizures. This is great. Seeking a neurologist consult is always a good idea with a new onset of seizure activity — even if you decide not to proceed with the advanced imaging modalities such as an MRI.

Now, regarding the diet and change in appetite, after a dog has a seizure it is common for them to behave unusually. We call this the “post-ictal” phase. They may seem disoriented and may not keep their normal routine or activities. I would expect them to feel more normal in a day or so. If the abnormalities (and seizures) persist, however, I would be looking further into why. If your dog does not eat anything for more than a day, this would be grounds for a visit to the vet. Determining the underlying cause of the seizure activity will help your veterinarian select the most appropriate course of action. I hope this helps.