Seizures, Collapse and Unconsciousness

Learning Outcome

By the end of this module, team members should understand how to respond safely if a dog has a seizure, collapses or becomes unconscious during a Pad & Co booking. Team members should know how to keep the dog safe, what actions must be avoided, when veterinary advice is needed, and when Pad & Co procedures and incident reporting must be followed.

Training Information

A seizure, collapse or loss of consciousness should always be taken seriously.

A seizure may be short and the dog may recover quickly, but it still needs to be reported and veterinary advice may be needed. Collapse or unconsciousness should be treated as urgent.

Possible signs of a seizure may include:

  • Falling over
  • Shaking
  • Stiffness
  • Paddling legs
  • Drooling
  • Loss of awareness
  • Urination or defecation
  • Confusion afterwards
  • Weakness after the episode
  • Unusual behaviour before or after the episode

Possible signs of collapse or unconsciousness may include:

  • Suddenly falling down
  • Not responding normally
  • Weakness or inability to stand
  • Very pale, blue or abnormal gums
  • Laboured or unusual breathing
  • Limp body
  • Extreme tiredness or confusion
  • Not waking when spoken to or gently stimulated

Blue Cross advises that fits lasting more than five minutes, or multiple fits within 24 hours, need immediate veterinary advice and care.

What To Do During A Seizure

If a dog has a seizure during a Pad & Co booking:

  1. Stay calm.
  2. Keep yourself safe.
  3. Move hazards away from the dog.
  4. Do not put your hands near or inside the dog’s mouth.
  5. Do not try to hold the dog still unless there is an immediate safety risk.
  6. Keep the area quiet and calm.
  7. Time the seizure if possible.
  8. Contact veterinary advice.
  9. Contact Pad & Co management.
  10. Contact the client according to procedure.
  11. Complete the incident form.

What To Do After A Seizure

After a seizure, the dog may be confused, tired, wobbly or disorientated.

Team members should:

  • Keep the dog calm.
  • Keep other dogs, people and hazards away.
  • Avoid sudden handling.
  • Avoid continuing the booking as normal.
  • Record how long the seizure lasted.
  • Record what signs were seen.
  • Contact veterinary advice if needed.
  • Follow Pad & Co procedure.

What To Do If A Dog Collapses Or Becomes Unconscious

If a dog collapses or becomes unconscious during a booking:

  1. Treat it as urgent.
  2. Check the area is safe.
  3. Keep the dog still and calm where possible.
  4. Avoid unnecessary movement.
  5. Check whether the dog is breathing.
  6. Contact veterinary advice immediately.
  7. Contact Pad & Co management.
  8. Contact the client according to procedure.
  9. Complete the incident form.

If the dog is not breathing or appears unresponsive, team members should contact veterinary advice immediately and follow professional guidance.

What Not To Do

Team members must not:

  • Put fingers or hands in the dog’s mouth during a seizure.
  • Try to pull the tongue.
  • Give food, treats or water during a seizure.
  • Restrain the dog unless there is an immediate safety risk.
  • Move the dog unnecessarily after collapse.
  • Continue the walk or booking as normal after a seizure or collapse.
  • Delay veterinary advice.
  • Leave the dog unattended.
  • Assume the dog is fine because they recover quickly.

Information To Record

Team members should record:

  • Time the episode started
  • How long it lasted
  • What signs were seen
  • Whether the dog lost awareness
  • Whether the dog collapsed
  • Whether the dog was breathing normally
  • Any possible trigger or event before it happened
  • What action was taken
  • Who was contacted
  • How the dog behaved afterwards

Pad & Co Guidance

  • Treat collapse or unconsciousness as urgent.
  • Keep the area safe.
  • Move hazards away.
  • Do not put hands in the dog’s mouth.
  • Time the seizure or episode if possible.
  • Contact veterinary advice where needed.
  • Contact Pad & Co management.
  • Contact the client according to procedure.
  • Complete the incident form.
  • Do not continue a booking as normal after a seizure, collapse or unconscious episode.

Key Points

  • Seizures, collapse and unconsciousness must be taken seriously.
  • Time the episode if possible.
  • Do not put hands in the dog’s mouth.
  • Do not give food, treats or water during a seizure.
  • Keep the dog safe and calm.
  • Collapse or unconsciousness is urgent.
  • Pad & Co procedure must be followed after any seizure, collapse or unconscious episode.
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