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My old dog is having seizures and trouble breathing. What should I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Shih Tzu | Male | neutered | 14 years and 5 months old | 15 lbs

I have a 13 year old schitzu dog. He is having bad seizures and hard time breathing.he is eating good and pooping is normal what can I give him

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on January 22nd, 2017

Gizmo needs to see a vet right away, as it is a medical emergency that he's having bad seizures and a hard time breathing. He needs medical attention now for the seizures, which can be caused by tumors, low blood sugar, liver failure, kidney disease, or Cushing's disease among other causes. There is nothing you can do at home to treat him for his seizures, please take him into a vet immediately. If Gizmo seizures again before you can seek vet care: - Don't put your hands near his mouth - Keep some rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle to spray on the pads of the feet for cooling - Monitor him at all times during the seizure to ensure that he cannot hurt himself by crashing into furniture, etc - If the seizure continues for more than 5 minutes, seek emergency care immediately

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Tomasz Wnuk

    Veterinarian

    Published on October 4th, 2017

    You should keep Scorpio quiet and free from stress, loud noise and sharp light - these can trigger another seizure. Scorpio should be really seen by your local vet as he may be suffering from epilepsy. There are other causes of seizures in dogs, like diabetes, thyroid problem, kidney, liver, bone marrow disease, other brain diseases which should be also ruled out.

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